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Academic Programs: Dual Certification: Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education (K-5) and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)
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Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education

Academic Programs: Graduate
Dual Certification:
Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education (K-5) and
Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)

Coordinator: Dr. Nancy Lauter
Office: University Hall, Room 3187
Phone: (973) 655-4243
Email: lautern@mail.montclair.edu

Overview:

 The Master of Arts in Teaching Program in Elementary Education and Teacher of Students with Disabilities is a 48 credit program designed to provide graduate students with a master's degree as well as dual certification: initial certification to teach Kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5) and certification to teach students with disabilities in K-5 settings. Students who apply to this program must hold a bachelor's degree in a liberal arts field (minimum 60 liberal arts credits). In addition, applicants must provide evidence of substantial and meaningful experience with groups of children, including children with special needs. Applicants must also achieve a passing score on the Praxis II test for Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (test code 014).

Montclair State University’s Teacher Education Program is one of the most highly-regarded teacher preparation programs in the country. It has been consistently recognized both nationally and regionally for its unique features, including its structure, partnerships, and curricular emphases. The program is considered a model for other colleges and universities and has continuously been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954.

Course Requirements:

The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Fall 2008. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.

Pre-Requisite Courses
Number Name Hours
FCST 512 Child Development I - Theories of Child Development or equivalent 3
SPCM 101 Fundamental Speech Communication or equivalent 3
  Physiology & Hygiene (State certification requirement; approved course or exam administered by the Center of Pedagogy)  
  Completion and passing score on PRAXIS II - Elementary Education: Elementary Content Knowledge (test code 014)  
 
Core Courses:   27
Number Name Hours
ECEL 501 Perspectives on Early Childhood and Elementary Education in a Diverse Society 3
ECSE 508 Strengthening Partnerships with Families of Children with Disabilities 3
ELRS 503 Methods of Research 3
READ 500 The Nature of Reading 3
SPED 566 Language-Based Learning Strategies for Use in Inclusive Settings 3
SPED 567 Instructional Planning for Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings I 3
SPED 579 Special Education for Students with Disabilities 3
SPED 584 Assessment and Evaluation in the Inclusive Classroom 2
SPED 585 Technology for Inclusive Classrooms 2
SPED 588 Promoting Pro social Behaviors in Inclusive Settings 2
 
Content/Methods Courses (3 discipline areas) 9
Number Name Hours
ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms 3
ECEL 517 Integrating Science and Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 3
MATH 577 Mathematics Education in the Elementary School 3
 
Professional Sequence Courses 12
Semester Before Student Teaching
  Students must apply to the Center of Pedagogy for a Clinical placement the semester prior to their Clinical experience. Due dates are 3/1 for September placement and 10/1 for January. These deadlines are strictly adhered to by the Center of Pedagogy.  
Number Name Hours
ECEL 522 Curriculum Development and Assessment in Diverse Elementary Classrooms 3
ECEL 510 Clinical Experience I in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 2
ECEL 502 Seminar I: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
     
Student Teaching Semester
Number Name Hours
ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings 5
OR    
ECEL 514 In-Service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching 5
    (ECEL 514 replaces ECEL 511 for those already in full-time teaching positions)  
ECEL 504 Seminar II: Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms 1
  Comprehensive Exam 0
 
PROGRAM TOTAL: 48 credits

Admission Information:

All candidates must meet application and admission requirements as defined by The Graduate School.

Additional Student Responsibilities:

  • Students are responsible for seeking advisement from their academic advisor for registration and completion of degree requirements.
  • Students are responsible for completing the Physiology and Hygiene requirement and Speech requirement for state certification.
  • Any student who does not have child development as an undergraduate must take the course at the graduate level.
  • All MAT students must register to take the Comprehensive Exam during the Clinical I semester. The exam is administered once in the spring and fall semesters. Registration for the fall exam is due October 1st and February 15th for the spring exam. Registration forms and information on the Comprehensive Exam may be found on the department website.
  • It is the student's responsibility to be familiar with all policies designated in the graduate catalog and the current Center of Pedagogy Teacher Education Handbook.
  • Students are required to apply to the Center of Pedagogy for Clinical I placement the semester before placement begins. The deadline to apply is March 1 for September placement and October 1 for January placement.
  • In order to complete the program, students must file proper forms in the Registrar's Office - October 1 for May graduation, March 1 for August graduation, and June 1 for January graduation.
  • Applications for Certification are required to be submitted to the Registrar's Office during the following period: October 15 to November 15 for January graduation, March 15 to April 15 for May graduation, and July 1 to August 1 for August graduation.
  • If a K-5 Teaching candidate intends to seek a Middle School Content Area Specialist endorsement in addition to the standard K-5 Certification, she or he must also complete Child Development II, as required by the New Jersey Department of Education.
  • Any variation from this work program must be approved by the Graduate School through the proper filing of a substitution form.