The Teacher Education program at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ prepares future educators for early childhood, elementary, middle school, secondary, and K-12 classroom settings. Students build skills in lesson planning, classroom management, child development, literacy, assessment, and inclusive teaching while completing coursework aligned with New Jersey teacher certification requirements.
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Teacher Education program includes several certification pathways rather than separate standalone programs. Students choose a path based on the grade level or subject they want to teach, then complete the required major, education coursework, field experiences, and student teaching needed for New Jersey teacher certification.
Build Your Future in Education at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ
What can you do after earning your BA and teacher licensure with ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ?
Students complete a content-specific liberal arts degree alongside their teacher certification pathway, preparing them for careers in teaching as well as opportunities beyond the PK-12 classroom. Graduates may become preschool, elementary, middle school, secondary, or K–12 educators or pursue careers and graduate study related to their academic major.
What teacher certification pathways are available at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ?
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ offers certification pathways in Early Childhood Education (P–3), Elementary Education (K–6), optional middle school specializations, Secondary Education (6–12), and K–12 certification areas. Explore the certification pathways and corresponding majors below.
Does ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ include classroom fieldwork and student teaching?
Yes. ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Teacher Education Program intentionally integrates university coursework with progressively more extensive clinical experiences each semester. Before full-time student teaching, candidates complete approximately 230 hours in P–12 school settings, applying what they are learning in their education courses through observation, instructional planning, working with students, and increasingly active teaching responsibilities. These experiences build toward a full-time, supervised student teaching semester.
Can students combine Teacher Education with another major?
Yes. Teacher Education is completed alongside a liberal arts major that provides strong preparation in the student’s content area. The specific major and certification pathway depend on the grade level or subject area the student plans to teach, allowing students to build both subject-area expertise and professional preparation for teaching.
What skills do students develop in ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Teacher Education program?
Students develop the knowledge and skills needed across all aspects of a teacher’s
role, including planning and preparation, effective instruction, creating supportive
learning environments, assessing student learning, and fulfilling professional responsibilities.
Coursework and clinical experiences are aligned with the New Jersey Professional Standards
for Teachers (NJPST) and national InTASC standards, preparing candidates for the expectations
of today’s classrooms
Teacher Certification Pathways
The degree combinations identified below are ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s preset pathways. Other bachelor’s degrees may also lead to teacher licensure, depending on the certification area. Students should consult a Teacher Education advisor to confirm the appropriate pathway.
Early Childhood Education, P–3
The Early Childhood Education pathway prepares students to teach children from preschool through grade 3. Coursework focuses on child development, early literacy, inclusive education, classroom management, curriculum planning, and early childhood teaching methods. Students complete field experiences and student teaching while preparing for New Jersey P-3 certification.
Preset degrees for this certification include:
- B.A. in Liberal Studies
- B.A. in Psychology
Elementary Education, K–6
The Elementary Education pathway prepares students to teach multiple subjects in kindergarten through grade 6. Students study all areas taught in school including language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies with direct practice in K-6 settings along with university-based coursework.
Preset degrees for this certification include:
- B.A. in Liberal Studies
- B.A. in Psychology
Elementary Education with Middle School Specializations, Grades 5–8
Students pursuing Elementary Education may add a Middle School with Subject Matter Specialization endorsement in grades 5–8 by completing additional coursework in a subject area and its teaching methods.
Available endorsement areas include:
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
Special Education Endorsement
After earning initial teacher certification, students may continue into ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s 100% online M.A. in Education Special Education track. The track leads to the New Jersey Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement and prepares educators to support students with a wide range of disabilities.
Secondary Education, Grades 6–12
Secondary Education pathways combine subject-area majors with education coursework, classroom field experiences, and student teaching that prepare students for New Jersey teacher licensure.
Preset certification and degree pairings include:
- Biological Science: B.A. in Biological Science or B.A. in Marine Science
- Chemistry: B.A. in Chemistry
- Earth Science: B.A. in Earth Science
- English: B.A. in Literature
- Mathematics: B.A. in Mathematics
- Music: B.A. in Performing Arts
- Physics: B.A. in Physics
- Social Studies: B.A. in Historical Studies or B.A. in Political Science
K–12 Certification Areas
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ offers K-12 certification pathways in areas including Visual Arts, Health & Physical Education, and World Languages. These pathways prepare students to teach specialized subjects across elementary, middle, and high school grade levels while developing discipline-specific teaching strategies and gaining classroom experience.
Preset certification and degree pairings include:
- Art: B.A. in Visual Arts
- French: B.A. in Language and Cultural Studies
- Health and Physical Education: B.S. in Exercise Science
- Spanish: B.A. in Language and Cultural Studies
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Education
The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Education pathway is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and wish to pursue New Jersey teacher licensure. Students work with faculty advisors to identify certification pathways that align with their academic background and career goals.
Program Faculty
Norma Boakes, Ed.D. (Temple University)
Stacey Culleny, Ed.D. (Northcentral University)
Darrell Cleveland, Ph.D. (University of North Carolina)
Jordan Corson, Ed.D (Columbia University)
Susan Cydis, Ed.D. (Widener University)
Dana Grasso, M.Ed. (Wilmington University)
Maria Halkias, Ed.D. (University of South Carolina)
Priti Haria, Ph.D. (University of Delaware)
Kimberly Lebak, Ed.D. (University of Pennsylvania)
Meredith Massey, M.S. (Rowan University)
Karen McLaughlin, Ed.D. (Indiana University)
John Quinn, Ed.D. (Pepperdine University)
Ron Tinsley, Ed.D. (Texas A&M University)
Chelsea Tracy-Bronson, Ph.D. (Syracuse University)
Daniel Tulino, Ph.D. (Rowan University)
Meg White, Ed.D. (Northcentral University, AZ)
Emeriti Faculty
Joseph J. Marchetti, Ph.D. (University of Pennsylvania)
Advising Services
The School of Education offers individualized advising to help students understand their academic options and stay on track toward becoming certified educators. Whether you are exploring teaching for the first time, transferring from another institution, or already enrolled at ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, advisors provide clear guidance on course planning, transcript review, program requirements, and next steps. If you are new to ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and interested in initial information, you can set up an appointment with one of our full-time faculty designated to work with incoming students. If you are already active with ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, check your Degree Works to find the name and contact information for your assigned preceptor.
Student Testimonials
Walking into my first day of school as a certified teacher I could not feel more prepared. The ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ education program fully prepared me for the real world experiences in teaching.
B.A. Education
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Education program consistently prepared me to become the best instructor I can be, every class, every placement, every day.â€
B.A. Education
Interstate Reciprocity
Our Teacher Education programs are -accredited, New Jersey Department of Education-approved, and eligible for
While New Jersey is a participant in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, it does not have automatic reciprocity with other states.
³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ alumni who are certified and licensed by the NJ Department of Education who intend to seek licensure in another state, should contact that state’s licensing agency. States retain the ability to determine certification requirements. Other State Departments of Education may have additional requirements for educators seeking certification in their state.
Candidates coming to New Jersey from another state should consult the for requirements and information on out-of-state reciprocity.
Career Information
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