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New Framework for Supporting Students with Interest in Education

We are excited to share that College Unbound is deepening its approach to supporting CU students with an interest in pursuing or advancing in their careers in educational settings. Grounded in our strength as a degree-completion college, College Unbound remains committed to making college degree completion accessible to adult learners.  Acquisition of a bachelor's degree removes a significant barrier to continued career opportunities in all fields including in the field of education. 

At CU, all students pursue a major in Organizational Leadership & Change. They also have access to a variety of courses during their time at CU. Through the course selection process, students can explore their interests in education topics including courses that might inform careers in teaching and non-teaching roles (school social work, educational policy, youth development, administrative roles, etc.). CU course options include but are not limited to Foundations of Equity Centered Education; Educational Psychology; Supporting Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Learning; Trauma-informed Education; etc. Please see the Academic Catalog for CU’s course listing .

What’s Evolving? 

• To make sure students receive accurate information, Lab faculty should not advise students on teacher certification processes, requirements, or timelines. Teacher certification requirements vary by state and the requirements are subject to change. In addition, certification programs and graduate programs have differing rules about the acceptance of course credits from other institutions.  Please direct any student with questions about certification to Teacher Certification Information by State. Students can also be referred to academic.support@collegeunbound.edu.

• As part of this evolution, College Unbound will be moving away from the dual-certification preparation program, which was only accessible to a limited number of eligible Rhode Island students. Our institution-wide approach allows us to offer CU students and graduates a more inclusive, diverse, and expansive set of options for life after their degree. 

• Rather than trying to provide certification advising across all CU locations in a dynamic and shifting certification landscape, College Unbound is pursuing new partnerships with local and regional experts across every state where we have students. These potential partners are being identified based on the degree to which programs are accessible, affordable, and in alignment with CU’s approach to actively support students.  CU students and graduates across all locations will be able to consider two direct routes toward advancing in the education field including certification and non-certification programs after graduation through graduate programs, alternative certification programs and master’s degree programs with certification. We are building a trusted network of partners so that when CU students graduate, they are met by organizations equipped to carry that next chapter forward.

What are the Post-CU degree Options for Students?

Master's Degree Opportunities

Through preferred graduate programs and organizations, CU graduates will have the opportunity to pursue a master's degree suited to careers focused on educational design, organizational development, program management, student support, etc. outside of the traditional K-12  classroom. This option is designed to support those who are not seeking to move into a classroom teaching role. See Graduate Programs Frequented By CU Graduates.

Teaching Certification Routes- Alternative and Graduate Certification Programs

For graduates who want to move toward a teaching certification route, College Unbound is pursuing partnerships with certification programs in every region where we have students. This more inclusive approach will give graduates access to partner organizations offering a broader range of certification and endorsement areas. These programs will include both alternative certifications and master’s degree programs that include certification. See below for a chart of recommended alternative certification or graduate certification programs.

This approach means College Unbound will keep doing what it does best - supporting students to degree completion while continuing to be student-driven, relationship-based, and rooted in an ethic of care as we support every learner through the single degree in Organizational Leadership & Change. 

Important: All partner dialogue must go through designated staff.

College Unbound holds formal Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with partner organizations. To protect the integrity of these agreements, all communication and dialogue with partners must go through designated staff only. Faculty and staff should not independently reach out to, negotiate with, make commitments to partner organizations, or speak on behalf of partner organizations. If you become aware of potential opportunities with certification organizations or graduate programs, please email provost@collegeunbound.edu