INFORMATION FOR
In our Department of Teacher Education, we prepare initial teacher candidates at the undergraduate and graduate level with the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to successfully teach in New Jersey schools, while our MEd program provides certified teachers with the opportunity to enhance their professional knowledge and skills.
Alumni in education are employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average Starting Salaries in Teacher Education: PreK-12 (NACE)
Noteworthy Education Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries with 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
Students completing all requirements for the early childhood major will be recommended for the preschool through third grade teacher certification in New Jersey. They will be prepared to teach all subjects in the given grades using research-based, best practices. Optional endorsements include bilingual education and English as a second language. More info »
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Students completing all requirements for this major will be recommended for the P-3 certification with the endorsement to teach young children with disabilities in New Jersey. They will be prepared to teach all subjects in the given grades using research-based, best practices. More info »
The Early Childhood Education for Paraprofessionals (ECEP) is a two-phase program. Phase I is a 60-credit undergraduate program, in which working paraprofessionals earn a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. For certification, candidates must complete Phase II. More info »
Students completing all requirements for the elementary education major will be recommended for the kindergarten through sixth grade teacher certification in New Jersey. They will be prepared to teach all subjects in the given grades using research-based, best practices. More info »
The BA in secondary education K-12 combines academic course work in a specific content area, secondary education, and university core curriculum. Students who complete all program requirements earn a BA in secondary education and will be recommended to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) for a Certificate of Eligibility for Advanced Standing by the Office of Certification and Education Enrollment in the College of Education. More info »
This is a dual licensure program for undergraduate students seeking to teach regular and special education students in a specific subject area. The program meets the requirements for teacher licenses outlined in N.J.A.C.6A:9 and is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education. Majors approved for the K-12/TSD subject area program are: English, math, history geography, political science, and any lab science. K-12/TSD students wishing to graduate in 8 semesters must take more than 15 credits per semester prior to clinical practice and/or take summer courses. More info »
In the required courses for this degree, already certified P-3 teachers engage in inquiry-based learning. They apply theoretical knowledge to action research studies conducted in a variety of early childhood settings. More info »
The MAT K-6 is a 15 month, 33-credit full time program which results in New Jersey Certification in Elementary Education K-6 as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree. The program can be pursued through the traditional or alternate route. The traditional route requires a year-long residency starting in September, during which teacher candidates will be in area schools full time, three days a week in the fall, and four days a week in the spring. The alternate route requires that teacher candidates obtain a certificate of eligibility (CE) in the elementary education, and are then hired by a participating school as teacher of record in an elementary classroom. More info »
Content areas include: Art, Biological Science, Chemistry, Chinese, Earth Science, English, French, Japanese, Music, Physical Science, Social Studies, and Spanish. The MAT K-12 is a 30-credit, 15-month program, in which students earn initial certification and a master of arts in teaching degree in their subject area. The program requires a full-time, year-long residency in area schools. As part of their program, students implement their action research projects during the final (second) summer semester. Students who complete all program requirements will be recommended to the NJDOE for a Certificate of Eligibility for Advanced Standing by the Office of Certification and Education Enrollment in the College of Education.
For the alternate route, students are required to hold a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) and be full-time teachers of record in a school district. Students receive a year (or 11 months) of mentorship and pursue initial certification and a master of arts in teaching degree in their subject area. More info »
Post-baccalaureate candidates with Certificates of Eligibility from the state and employment as a P-3 teacher complete a 24-credit program, generally over a two-year period. Upon successful completion, candidates are recommended for certification. More info »
The graduate English as a Second Language (ESL) Alternate Route Certificate Program at William Paterson offers courses, seminars, and field supervision leading to state certification in teaching English as a Second Language. Applicants to the English as a Second Language (ESL) Alternate Route Certificate Program must have a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) in ESL from the New Jersey Department of Education. More info »
The 35 credit Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education Alternate Route program allows graduate students to earn initial teacher certification in Elementary Education (K-6) and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Coursework begins in May of the first summer and ends August of the following summer, with experiences in educational settings integrated into course requirements. Content and pedagogy courses are offered on campus in the evening and online. More info »
The alternate route requires that teacher candidates obtain a certificate of eligibility (CE) in the subject area for which certification is being sought, and are then hired by a participating school as teacher of record in the subject area. More info »
Our cutting-edge curriculum emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion. Teacher candidates engage in interactive and technology-rich learning experiences that model how they will help their students construct new knowledge. Our partnerships with P-12 school districts provide high-quality clinical field experiences so that teacher candidates can put into practice what they are learning in the college classroom.
Teacher preparation programs in the College of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and student outcomes are aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and New Jersey professional standards for teachers. This ensures that our candidates gain in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for teachers, including the ability to:
Our graduates are in-demand candidates for teaching positions in P-12 schools throughout New Jersey. Others are employed at community colleges or four-year colleges or universities. They work as elementary school, middle school, high school, and preschool teachers; ESL teachers; youth engagement coordinators; and academic advisors; among others.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Fourth grade teacher, Tamaques Elementary School, Westfield Town School District
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
