John P. Burke School of Public Service and Education

Mission and Values

Mission
The John P. Burke School of Public Service and Education empowers students to achieve their academic and career goals by offering programs designed to address society's most challenging issues. Through our focus on social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, we prepare our students to become collaborative and innovative professionals who serve their communities as public servants, educators, advocates, and leaders.

Values
Community Service
Advocacy
Social justice
Equity
Capacity-building
Empowerment
Diversity and Inclusion
Social Responsibility
Collaboration
Outreach and Engagement

The Early Childhood Education Associate's program prepares students to acquire the appropriate knowledge, skills, and techniques needed to support the development of children ages birth through eight years old. Multiple field experiences are required including two 100-hour practicum courses. Students are prepared for careers in early care and education settings. All 60 credits can be transferred into Post's Bachelor of Child Studies program. The program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 232-8777. The accreditation term for the Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education program runs from March 2019 through March 2021.

The Child Studies Bachelor's degree program equips students with core knowledge and competencies and provides opportunities to put learned theories into practice. Multiple field experiences include two 100-hour practicum courses and one 200-hour capstone course. Connecticut residents who successfully complete the Bachelor of Science program will be eligible to apply for the Early Childhood Teacher Credential (ECTC), Preschool Level B, through the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. The degree prepares students for non-certified teaching positions, other professional positions in the field, and graduate study. The program is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1313 L Street, NW, Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20005, (202) 232-8777. The accreditation term for the Bachelor of Science in Child Studies program runs from March 2019 through March 2026.

The Criminal Justice program offers a comprehensive course of study in multi-disciplined areas relating to crime, criminal justice, deviance, and social justice. The program enables students to pursue careers in the judicial system and corrections at a community, state, and federal level.

The Emergency Management and Homeland Security program provides students with a core understanding of the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery and how they are carried out at the local, state, and federal level. The program has an 'all-hazards' approach and will ready students to plan and prepare for disasters and manage response operations during a disaster. The program will immerse students in modern methodologies used to secure the homeland, including preparation for and response to acts of terrorism.

The Human Service program provides students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge of the human service field, develop skills in counseling, crisis intervention, and human service administration and develop an awareness of ethical and multicultural issues within the human service environment. The Human Services program prepares students for careers in human service environments and if desired, graduate programs.

In the Legal Studies program, students are educated to be part of a team of highly skilled legal professionals who make a difference by delivering legal services in the public interest. Graduates are encouraged to pursue careers that enhance the public good by involvement in legal reform advocacy initiatives, non-profits, environmental protection, and community-based human rights organizations that protect the underrepresented. Students learn by doing in a hands-on, practical skills-based training environment based on tolerance, creativity, and respect for multiculturalism.

The Psychology program provides students with opportunities to acquire knowledge about the study of human behavior; increase personal awareness of, and sensitivity to, multiculturalism; cultivate critical thinking abilities; and prepare for employment or graduate study.