Special Education—Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant Endorsement Eligibility

NJCU offers a 39-credit Master of Arts degree in Special Education with Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC) Program for New Jersey teachers who are already certified to teach special education or an allied field and who have had at least one year of teaching experience under a CEAS or Standard Certificate. A copy of the certificate must be submitted to Graduate Admissions when applying for the LDTC endorsement.  

Completion requires field experiences and two practicums. The candidate is responsible for enlisting an experienced and certified LDTC who is willing to volunteer as a mentor, ensure the principal’s permission to engage in field and practicum experiences at the school, and satisfactorily complete all course work and key assessments. 

For Cluster I only, candidates may take courses year round including in summer. NO summer coursework is offered or available after completion of Cluster I. Coursework that applies to this M.A. in Special Education with LDTC Program includes Clusters I, II and III. Cluster I applies only to the Master’s Program, not to the Certificate Only Program.  

Cluster I is offered throughout the year but Clusters II and III are offered in the fall and spring. Once a candidate begins Cluster II, the first two courses begin in the fall. Six credits are required each semester for the remaining two years of program.  

Up to nine (9) credits can be transferred into Cluster I. No transfer of credits is permitted for courses in Clusters II and III. NO summer courses are offered or available in Clusters II and III. 

Upon completion of the program, candidates must have three years of teaching experience, one of which must be under a Standard instructional certificate to apply for the LDTC endorsement. Application should be made through the Center for Teacher Preparation and Partnerships in P203A or email gradcert@njcu.edu.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION ARE: 
  

  • Official transcript(s) with 3.0 out of 4.0 or higher cumulative GPA 

  • Essay (250-500 words) 

  • Recommendation letter from principal, vice principal, or instructional supervisor 

  • A copy of standard certification(s)  

  • An employment verification letter from a school official on school letterhead documenting at least one yearof full-time teaching experience and current employment as a teacher 

  • Interview, as necessary  

Cluster I courses apply only to the Master’s with LDTC. They cannot be taken contiguously with Cluster II or Cluster III courses. 

Applicants for the M.A. in Special Education with LDTC. Program must be certified to teach special education or an allied field, and have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.00 out of a possible 4.00. Applicants with degrees from out-of-state universities must have their credentials evaluated by the New Jersey Department of Education prior to admission, and have submitted an official copy of the State’s evaluation along with their application to theGraduate Office. 

TRANSFER CREDITS   

Candidates must apply for transfer credit of up to 9 semester hours toward Cluster I requirements, providing (1) they achieved a B or higher, (2) the course(s) were taken within seven years of acceptance into the LDTC program, and (3) the course(s) has(have) remained substantively the same as the current course offering at NJCU. Candidates wishing to transfer credits within Cluster I ONLY should fill out the transfer of credits request form from the Transfer Resource Center. See Transfer Resource Center | New Jersey City University (njcu.edu)

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
 

The LDTC endorsement eligibility program begins with Cluster II each fall semester. Cluster I courses are taken individually and not as a cohort. However, Clusters II and III courses are taken as a cohort in fall and spring. Candidates in Clusters II and III are required to take two courses each semester. All of the courses are taught online. The Office of Special Education enrolls candidates in Cluster II and III courses close to the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. The Office of Special Education enrolls candidates in Clusters II and III courses. Once accepted to the Masters in Special Education with LDTC endorsement eligibility program, candidates must take all coursework through NJCU.

Each candidate must ensure documented enlistment of a volunteer who is a qualified LDTC mentor and secure his/her principal’s permission to participate in the following experiences:

  • Consult with a qualified, certified district employed LDTC who volunteers to serve as a mentor and who is currently assigned to the school, preferably one who has a minimum of three years of experience
  • Design assessment plans based on referral issues
  • Complete learning evaluations for students referred for child study, preferably students at different age/grade levels
  • Use a variety of testing material, conduct observations and review records as required
  • Score assessments and write reports in consultation with the LDTC mentor
  • Contribute to and develop Individualized Education Plans by making educational recommendations to remediate diagnosed learning difficulties
  • Consult with administrators, teachers, child study team and parents; participate in planning and child study team meetings; interpret the results of evaluations and remediation plans to other professionals and parents
  • Utilize trial teaching and other strategies to address the learning needs of students demonstrating learning differences and difficulties
Cluster I Courses 115
SPEC 600Introduction to Learning Disabilities3
SPEC 605Introduction to Education and Psychology of Exceptional Children and Youth3
SPEC 606LIfespan Assessment in the Care and Education of the Handicapped3
SPEC 640Emotional and Behavior Disorders in Children and Youth3
SPEC 675Corrective Techniques for Teaching the Exceptional Student3
Cluster II: LDTC Core Requirements 212
SPEC 670Remediation of Learning Disabilities3
SPEC 672Physiological and Learning Factors in the Education of Children with Disabilities3
SPEC 702Cognition, Motivation, and Instructional Practice3
SPEC 697Diagnose Children with Learning Disabilities3
Cluster III: Clinical Core Requirements 312
SPEC 673Function on the Child Study Team3
SPEC 674Interpersonal and Consultation Techniques in Special Education3
SPEC 698Practicum in Learning Disabilities I: Diagnosis 43
SPEC 699Practicum in Learning Disabilities II: Remediation 43
Total Credits39
1

Cluster I courses may be taken summer, fall, or spring as desired.

2

Cluster II must be taken two courses per semester with Departmental permission on completion of Cluster I coursework.

3

Cluster III must be taken two courses per semester with Departmental permission on completion of Cluster II coursework.

4

The practicum provides opportunities for a candidate to apply his/her knowledge and skills under the supervision of a university professor and an appropriately experienced LDTC identified by the candidate. Typically, the practicum is completed while the candidate continues teaching.  

Once accepted into this program, candidates are required to take all courses in Clusters II and III at NJCU.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Special Education-Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant Endorsement Eligibility program, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate their pedagogical knowledge, integrating their understanding of their pupils’ developmental levels, individual differences, learning exceptionalities, and sociocultural backgrounds.
  2. Demonstrate effective instruction, caring behavior, and reflection to improve practice.
  3. Know and value how individuals are shaped by their life experiences as mediated by factors such as social class, gender, race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, and social needs. Our candidates know, value, and engage in culturally responsive teaching to promote social justice, particularly in our urban areas.
  4. Use appropriate technology in carrying out their professional responsibilities.