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Center of Pedagogy
Graduate Initial Teacher
Certification Programs
Initial Instructional Certification Programs Offered
Application and Admissions Requirements
Certification
Portrait of a Teacher
Additional and Advanced Certificates
Retention in the Program
Program of Study for Subject Area Certification
Program of Study for Early Childhood or
Elementary Education
Information Sessions
A student with a baccalaureate degree may pursue an initial New Jersey teaching certificate at MSU.
Fully certified teachers may obtain additional teaching field endorsements or advanced certification at MSU.
The Center of Pedagogy's Teacher Education Program oversees graduate programs at the University that lead to initial
teacher certification. The Teacher Education Program also oversees the Teacher of Students with Disabilities program.
All other programs - i.e., those leading to additional/advanced certification - are handled by the College of Education
and Human Services and the office of Graduate Admissions and support services.
To learn more about certification programs offered via the Teacher Education Program, we invite you to attend an
information session. Click here to view dates. For information regarding the Ed.D. in Pedagogy, see
Doctoral Programs.
Montclair State's Teacher Education Program has a number of distinctive
features. The Center of Pedagogy oversees teacher education functions
including a network of partner schools which provides real world
settings where students complete their field experiences with
a programmatic emphasis on teaching for critical thinking. The
Program was awarded the Christa McAuliffe Showcase for Excellence
award by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities
for its collaboration with public schools and in 2002 was awarded
the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education Best
Practice Award in Support of Diversity. It is a member of the
National Network for Educational Renewal and Teachers for a New
Era Learning Network. The commitment of the faculty in the Teacher
Education Program is to the enculturation of students into a political
and social democracy, the moral dimensions of teaching, as well
as competence and knowledge both in pedagogy and the content to
be taught.
Requirements for certification are subject to change by the New Jersey Department of Education regulation and
University policy. Students should consult with their advisors on a regular basis.
Initial Instructional Certification Programs Offered
At Montclair State University, those who hold a bachelor's or master's degree and who wish to gain their first teaching
certificate are offered two graduate programs:
A. Post-baccalaureate Initial Instructional Certification Program - In this program, students who have strong academic
preparation in the subject they wish to teach are required to complete approximately 33-36 semester hours of professional
education courses and field work including student teaching. After filing an application to the program, candidates'
academic backgrounds are assessed by faculty; additional course work in the subject they wish to teach may be required.
These courses may be taken concurrently with the course work in professional education, but must be completed prior to
student teaching.
B. Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program - Students who wish to obtain a master's degree and teacher certification
simultaneously may consider this program, which requires additional graduate level courses (36-39 credits total).
Application and Admissions Requirements
Candidates for admission to the Post-baccalaureate and M.A.T. programs must file an
Application for Graduate/Post-baccalaureate Admission
to the Office of Graduate Admissions and Support Services. Admission is on a rolling basis. An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 overall for the Post-baccalaureate certification program and 2.70 overall for the MAT program is required. A higher GPA in the teaching field major may be required by some departments. Qualifying scores on the general Graduate Record Exam are required for the MAT
program.
In addition, applicants to the M.A.T. and Post-baccalaureate Programs
may be required to take the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment
test prior to being admitted into the Program. Full matriculation
requires passing the Praxis. Click here for specific program Praxis requirements.
In addition to transcripts
and GRE and Praxis II scores, two recommendations from school
or college faculty, or administrators, must be submitted. It is
expected that students will be able to demonstrate proficiency
in the use of the English language.
In selecting students for the graduate level Initial Instructional
Certification Program, Montclair State University uses criteria
which are related to the kinds of knowledge, abilities, dispositions
and character we expect graduates of our Program to possess. The
Portrait of a Teacher is a model toward which students in the
Program strive. In making decisions on acceptance to the Program,
faculty consider such criteria as GPA, knowledge of content of
major area of study, commitment to teaching and its varied responsibilities
and communication abilities, both written and oral. These criteria
enable faculty to assess the likelihood that candidates will achieve
the goals inherent in the Portrait of a Teacher.
All students should note that admission to the University to take courses does not guarantee admission to the
Teacher Education Program, and that any courses taken prior to admission to the Program are taken at the student's own risk.
Certification
Upon successful completion of the Post-baccalaureate Initial Instructional
Certification Program or the M.A.T. program, students are recommended
to the New Jersey Department of Education for a Certificate of
Eligibility with Advanced Standing. This certificate enables the holder
to pursue a full-time teaching position in a public school. Currently, new
teachers must successfully complete a one year induction program
of teaching under a provisional certificate to be eligible for
a permanent or standard New Jersey instructional certificate.
Students interested in teaching outside of New Jersey should seek
information from the appropriate state authorities. United States
citizenship is required for standard (permanent) New Jersey certification.
A temporary, non-citizen certificate may be available to those
who will become U.S. citizens.
As reported under Title II of the Higher Education Act, 100% of students who completed Montclair State University's
programs for initial teacher certification in AY 2006-2007 passed the Praxis test.
View a summary of the Title II report.
Additional and Advanced Certificates
Students already holding teaching certificates may apply to the University to take coursework leading to
additional endorsements or advanced certificates. They are not eligible for the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
program. However, other education-related master's programs are available and are described on links under the
Office of Graduate Admissions and Support Services.
Portrait of a Teacher
The Montclair State University community is committed to the continuing development of teachers who exemplify
the character, dispositions and habits of mind reflected in this portrait. They:
- Have expert knowledge of the disciplines they will teach and can use various strategies, including media and
technology, for creating learning experiences that make the subject matter accessible and meaningful to all students.
- Understand how children and adolescents learn and develop in a variety of school, family and community
contexts, and can provide learning opportunities that support their students' intellectual, social, and personal
development.
- Understand the practice of culturally responsive teaching. They understand that children bring varied talents,
strengths, and perspectives to learning; have skills for learning about the diverse students they teach; and use
knowledge of students and their lives to design and carry out instruction that builds on students' individual and cultural
strengths.
- Plan instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, families, communities, and curriculum goals
and standards; and taking into account issues of class, gender, race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, and
special needs in designing instruction.
- Understand critical thinking and problem solving, and create learning experiences that promote the development
of students' critical thinking and problem solving skills and dispositions.
- Understand principles of democracy and plan and carry out instruction that promotes democratic values and
communication in the classroom.
- Understand and use multiple forms of assessment to promote the intellectual, social, and physical development
of learners and to inform instruction.
- Create a community in the classroom that is nurturing, caring, safe, and conducive to learning.
- Are reflective practitioners who continually inquire into the nature of teaching and learning, reflect on
their own learning and professional practice, evaluate the effects of their choices and actions on others, and seek out
opportunities to grow professionally.
- Build relationships with school colleagues, families, and agencies in the community to support students'
learning and well-being, and work to foster an appreciation of diversity among students and colleagues.
- Possess the literacy skills associated with an educated person; can speak and write English fluently and
communicate clearly.
- Develop dispositions expected of professional educators. These include belief in the potential of schools
to promote social justice; passion for teaching; and commitment to ensuring equal learning opportunities for every
student, critical reflection, inquiry, critical thinking, and life-long learning, the ethical and enculturating
responsibilities of educators, and serving as agents of change and stewards of best practice.
Retention in the Program
Students who are accepted into the Teacher Education Program are evaluated periodically. Students are responsible for reviewing
the Teacher Education Program Handbook to determine
criteria used to determine eligibility for student teaching and the University's recommendation for certification.
Program of Study for Subject Area Certification
A. Prerequisites
It is expected that students in the Teacher Education Program will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language.
In addition, their academic backgrounds must include at least 60 semester hours of general education, distributed among
the arts, humanities, mathematics, science, technology and the social sciences. Those students who have not had a course
in human biology or health must successfully complete an examination in physiology and hygiene.
B. Social Behavioral Science Component
- PSYC 101 General Psychology I: Growth and Development
- EDFD 200 Psychological Foundations of Education
- PSYC 560 Advanced Educational Psychology (PSYC 560 is required for the MAT program)
- Human and Intercultural Relations Course
C. Professional Education Component
- CURR 599 Curricular and Social Dynamics of Schooling
- EDFD 520 Development of Educational Thought
- A course in teaching reading
- CURR 5_ _ Educational Elective
- A course in teaching for critical thinking
- Major Departmental Methods Course(s)
- CURR 500 Fieldwork in Education
(A Fieldwork Application must be filed with the Center of Pedagogy a Full semester before enrolling in this course.
Deadlines apply, refer to E. below.)
D. Teaching Field Requirements
Course requirements in teaching field (major) are provided by departmental advisor.
E. Professional Year (Fieldwork and Student Teaching)
To be eligible for the Professional Year coursework and Field experiences,
students must pass a retention review by the
Teacher Education Program. All teaching field and professional education
courses must be successfully completed with a 2.75 GPA (minimum)
overall, in teaching field, and in professional education courses.
(Some departments require a higher GPA in the teaching field. Consult
department advisor.) See Teacher Education Program Handbook for
additional retention criteria. In addition, a timely Fieldwork Application
must be submitted to the Fieldwork Department in the Center of Pedagogy.
Fieldwork applications must be filed by
October 1 for the Spring semester and by March 1 for the fall semester.
There is a separate application and specific requirements for "In-Service
Student Teaching." Applications are available online.
- CURR 511 Supervised Student Teaching
OR
CURR 514 In-Service Supervised Graduate Student Teaching
- CURR 502 Seminar in Professional Education
- CURR 528 Teaching for Learning
- Departmental (major) Seminar (if required)
A comprehensive exam is required for the MAT Program. Students should consult their advisors for details
regarding this exam. Information is also available in the Curriculum and Teaching Department.
Program of Study
for Early Childhood (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-5) Certification
A. Prerequisites:
It is expected that students in the Program will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language.
In addition, their academic backgrounds should include a course in general psychology, two semesters of Child Development,
and at least 60 semester hours of general education distributed among the arts, humanities, mathematics, science,
technology and the social sciences. Students who have not had a course in human biology or health must successfully
complete an examination in physiology and hygiene.
B. Core Courses (9 semester hours)
- ECEL 501 Models of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
- ECEL 518 Families, Communities and Schools: Diversity, Culture, and Democracy
- READ 500 The Nature of Reading
Additional requirements apply for the MAT Program.
C. Content/Methods (3 semester hours)
(One course is required for Post-Baccalaureate Certification; all three are required for the
MAT Program)
- MATH 577 Mathematics Education in the Elementary Schools
- ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms
- ECEL 517 Integrating Science and Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Classrooms
D. Professional Sequence Courses (12 semester hours)
- ECEL 528 Early Childhood Development and Learning (required for P-3 only)
OR
ECEL 522 Curriculum Development and Assessment in Diverse Elementary Classrooms (required for K-5 only)
- ECEL 510 Clinical Experience I in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings
- ECEL 511 Clinical Experience II in Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings
OR
ECEL 504 Seminar II Inclusive Early Childhood and Elementary Settings
Students who are already teaching full-time may be elegible for
In-service Clinical experiences status. A comprehensive exam is
required for the MAT Program. Students should consult their advisors
for details regarding this exam. Information is also available
in the Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department.
Pre-Admit Application for Applicants Who Missed The Deadline
Information Sessions for Graduate Applicants
Montclair State University
Center of Pedagogy
Teacher Education Information Sessions for Graduate Applicants
| Wednesday, October 29 |
6:00-7:30 P.M. |
location TBD |
| Wednesday, November 19 |
6:00-7:30 P.M. |
location TBD |
For more information please click on this link.
Please attend one of these sessions if:
- you wish to prepare for a teaching career in pre-school, elementary or secondary schools
- you hold a bachelor's degree
- you are not already certified to teach
- you are thinking of teaching and want to learn more
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