Elementary Education (K-6) with Literacy Focus, BA
Completion of this major prepares educators to work with children from kindergarten through grade six and be eligible to obtain the Elementary Teacher Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). Candidates for this certification are strongly encouraged to complete a co-major offered by the William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences.
This program offers:
-
classes with an increased focus on literacy and developing quality teacher candidates who can effectively implement literacy-driven instruction to K-6 students in all elementary content areas
-
a paid teacher intern program for all students
-
an intentional, directed focus on the teacher as a lifelong learner through comprehensive professional development
NJCU is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. NJCU Education programs are accredited both by the Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP) and the New Jersey State Department of Education.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THIS CONCENTRATION ARE:
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0.
- A minimum of B- or better on all education courses
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THIS DEGREE TRACK ARE:
- Completion of NJCU General Education requirements or equivalent
- Successful completion of all education coursework
- Successful completion of 60 liberal arts credits with at least 30 credits in English, mathematics, science, and history/social studies OR completion of a liberal arts co-major
- Passing scores on appropriate Praxis II Exams
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Successful completion of Clinical Practice I and II
Note: For the most updated information on this teaching certification program, students are directed to contact Dr. Michelle Rosen, Chairperson of the department, as changes may have occurred since publication.
Additional instructional endorsements are available in middle school content areas (grades 6-8), ESL, and/or bilingual education. (Additional coursework required; speak with an advisor for details.)
Minimum Grade Requirements
- A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is required for program completion.
Total Credit Hours: 39
All candidates will complete a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher and either a co-major in the College of Arts & Sciences or 30 credits in English, Math, History/Social Studies, and Science. Candidates can take additional courses to earn endorsements in ESL and/or Bilingual/Bicultural Education.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Education Courses | ||
| Phase I | ||
| EDU 280 | Challenges in Urban Education | 3 |
| LTED 235 | Focus: Foundations of Literacy (K-6) | 3 |
| SPEC 250 | Psychological & Educational Needs of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| Phase II | ||
| LTED 236 | Literacy Instruction and Strategies (K-6) | 3 |
| EDU 563 | Methods for Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades K-2 | 3 |
| Phase III | ||
| EDU 564 | Methods for Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades 3-6 | 3 |
| EDU 315 | Differentiating Instruction:Mtng Needs of Urban Stdnts from Cultrly,Ling.,&Academic Diverse Bckgrnds | 3 |
| EDU 331 | Clinical Practice I | 2 |
| LTED 595 | Reading in the Content Areas | 3 |
| Phase IV | ||
| EDTC 310 | Teaching and Learning With Technology | 3 |
| EDU 470 | Concurrent Student Teaching Seminar | 2 |
| EDU 480 | Clinical Practice II | 8 |
| Optional | ||
| SPFD 426 | Cooperative Education and Internship - College of Education (2 credits) | 2 |
| LTED 510 | Professional Practice in Schools I | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ESL Endorsement (Optional) | ||
| MCC 427 | Historical and Cultural Background of Limited English Proficient Students | 3 |
| MCC 403 | Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| MCC 404 | Phonology & Structure of American English | 3 |
| MCC 455 | Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| MCC 417 | Field Experience in Bilingual/Multicultural Education | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement (Optional) | ||
| MCC 427 | Historical and Cultural Background of Limited English Proficient Students | 3 |
| MCC 403 | Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| MCC 405 | Introduction to Bilingual/Bicultural Education | 3 |
| MCC 407 | Teaching Bilingual Children Content Area | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ESL & Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement (Optional) | ||
| MCC 427 | Historical and Cultural Background of Limited English Proficient Students | 3 |
| MCC 405 | Introduction to Bilingual/Bicultural Education | 3 |
| MCC 403 | Applied Linguistics | 3 |
| MCC 404 | Phonology & Structure of American English | 3 |
| MCC 407 | Teaching Bilingual Children Content Area | 3 |
| MCC 417 | Field Experience in Bilingual/Multicultural Education | 3 |
| MCC 455 | Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
| PSYC 150 | Developmental: Birth Through Adolescence | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| BIOL 224 or BIOL 225 | The Human Body or Human Sexual Biology | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| SPFD 426 | Cooperative Education and Internship - College of Education (2 credits) (or elective course) | 2 |
| Credits | 2 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| SPFD 426 | Cooperative Education and Internship - College of Education (2 credits) (or elective course) | 2 |
| Credits | 2 | |
| Junior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| EDU 280 | Challenges in Urban Education | 3 |
| SPEC 250 | Psychological & Educational Needs of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| LTED 235 | Focus: Foundations of Literacy (K-6) | 3 |
| SPFD 426 | Cooperative Education and Internship - College of Education (2 credits) (or elective course) | 2 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| LTED 236 | Literacy Instruction and Strategies (K-6) | 3 |
| SPFD 426 | Cooperative Education and Internship - College of Education (2 credits) (or elective course) | 2 |
| EDU 563 | Methods for Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades K-2 | 3 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Senior | ||
| Semester 1 | ||
| EDU 315 | Differentiating Instruction:Mtng Needs of Urban Stdnts from Cultrly,Ling.,&Academic Diverse Bckgrnds | 3 |
| EDU 331 | Clinical Practice I | 2 |
| LTED 595 | Reading in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDU 564 | Methods for Teaching Mathematics in the Primary Grades 3-6 | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| EDU 480 | Clinical Practice II | 8 |
| EDU 470 | Concurrent Student Teaching Seminar | 2 |
| EDTC 310 | Teaching and Learning With Technology | 3 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
The College of Education is dedicated to the belief that education is transformative and empowering and that social justice can best be accomplished through an educated citizenry.
-
Our candidates demonstrate mastery of the subject matter they plan to teach.
-
Our candidates demonstrate their pedagogical knowledge, integrating their understanding of their pupils’ developmental levels, individual differences, learning exceptionalities, and sociocultural backgrounds.
-
Our candidates demonstrate effective instruction, caring behavior, and reflection to improve practice.
-
Our candidates 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.
-
Our candidates are able to use appropriate technology in carrying out their professional responsibilities
In addition, the program satisfies the following Middle States student learning outcomes:
-
Critical Reasoning and Research Skills
-
Written and Oral Communication
-
Information Literacy Skills
-
Technology Fluency