The School of Education and Social Policy

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Vision
To educate for social transformation.

Mission
In the School of Education & Social Policy at Merrimack College - a Catholic, Augustinian institution - we believe that education is a transformative practice that changes the world. Our dynamic, rigorous programs prepare students to engage with communities by linking theory, research, and practice. With a focus on ethics and professionalism, we mentor students to be reflective and engaged educators, practitioners, and advocates for the common good. Our students become leaders and agents of change within schools, colleges, community organizations, and criminal justice institutions.

The school collaborates with over 100 regional partners. We provide students a breadth of offerings in field-based experiences based in schools, community-based organizations, non-profits, legal, social service and local agencies. The work of our students can provide children access to effective schools, and it can help strengthen families and their respective communities.

The Education and Community Studies Department offers undergraduate programs in Teacher Education, and students can earn licensure in the following areas: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Moderate Disabilities, STEM Education, and middle and high school education. All licensure programs in the School of Education & Social Policy have been approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) and allow formal reciprocity with (and thus the ability to teach in) 45 other states.

The Education and Community Studies Department also offers a program in Human Development and Human Services. This program prepares students to pursue careers in fields as diverse as social work, social services, guidance, school counseling, child care, health education, human services, community education, educational policy, child development, family studies, law enforcement agencies, law firms, juvenile courts and corrections agencies, community organizing and advocacy groups.  

The undergraduate Criminology and Criminal Justice programs (majors and minors) help prepare students to think critically about, and engage thoughtfully with, the legal system and issues of crime, social policies, and systems of punishment and social control. The Criminology and Criminal Justice program recognizes the complex relationship between society and its members and thus focuses on how broader socio-cultural, political-economic, and historical forces influence the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Students completing majors and minors in Criminology and Criminal Justice can pursue jobs and graduate work in social services, family studies law enforcement agencies, law firms, juvenile courts and corrections agencies, community organizing and advocacy groups.

Please visit www.merrimack.edu/schoolofeducation for the most up-to-date information about the School of Education & Social Policy.

Graduate Programs: The School of Education & Social Policy offers seven graduate programs, some of which have a 13-month full-time residency Fellowship program.  Graduate programs are available in:

• Community Engagement
• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Higher Education
• School Counseling
• Teacher Education, licensure
• Teacher Education, Curriculum & Instruction, non-licensure
• CAGS, Educational Leaders (post-masters)

For more information, please visit the graduate programs website or the graduate catalog for additional details. 

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