The Special Education Department offers course work leading to the Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement, Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing. Completion of this program (and New Jersey State certification) prepares candidates to assume the responsibilities of a special education teacher as well as an elementary education teacher in private and public schools.

Elementary Education Special Education majors must complete one of the following liberal arts majors offered by the William J. Maxwell College of Arts and Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, English, Earth and Environmental Science, History, Mathematics, Political Science, Physics, or Spanish.

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

• Passing scores on the Praxis CORE, or 560 verbal, 540 Math on the SAT, or 23 or higher on the ACT, or 155 verbal, 156 quantitative on the GRE.

Passing scores on the Praxis CORE Academic Skills for Educators Tests, as of 9/1/19:

• Math Test #5733         Passing Score 150
• Reading Test #5713    Passing Score 156
• Writing Test #5723     Passing Score 162

Students who meet the score levels below are not required to take the Praxis CORE:

SAT Scores

• If taken before 4/1/1995: Math 520, Reading 480
• If taken between 4/1/1995 to 2/28/2016: Math 540, Reading 560
• If taken on or after 3/1/2016: Math 570, 610 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing or 30 Reading Section

ACT Scores

• If taken before 8/28/1989: Math 23, English 20
• If taken on or after 8/28/1989: Math 23, English 23

GRE Scores

• If taken before 8/1/2011: Quantitative 720, Verbal 530
• If taken on or after 8/1/2011: Quantitative 156, Verbal 155

For more information on Praxis exams:  https://www.ets.org/praxis/nj/requirements

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THIS DEGREE TRACK ARE:

• Completion of NJCU General Education requirements or equivalent
• Successful completion of major in intended content area
• Passing scores on appropriate Praxis II Exam
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Successful completion of clinical experience and clinical practice (student teaching)

This includes successful submission of the performance assessment, edTPA, as required by the New Jersey Department of Education.

Note: For the most updated information on this teaching certification program, students are directed to contact the College of Education as changes may have occurred since publication.

TRANSFER STUDENTS
 

Transfer students from New Jersey colleges with transfer agreements with New Jersey City University must have a GPA of 3.0 with an Associate’s degree or a GPA of 3.0 and include successful completion of all tier 1 courses with a grade of B- or better prior to declaring their major.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
 

Candidates are required to pass the Elementary Praxis Examination 5001. (Always confirm the correct test code of any Praxis Test at NJCU before taking the test to be sure the test has not been changed). Practice materials for the Praxis examination are available through the Frank Guarini Library.

Candidates are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and to successfully complete clinical experience SPEC 352and clinical practice EDU 480. Application for each clinical experience must be made a year in advance.

On successful completion of the Elementary/Special Education program, candidates may apply for certification in Elementary Education and the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) endorsement through the Administrator for Certification in the Center for Teacher Preparation and Partnerships in P203A. 

**Education majors are exempt from 9 GE credits in Tier 2 as a dual major with major required courses in other subjects.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Special program, students will be able to:

1. Our candidates demonstrate mastery of the subject matter they plan to teach.
2. Our candidates demonstrate their pedagogical knowledge, integrating their understanding of their pupils’ developmental levels, individual differences, learning exceptionalities, and sociocultural backgrounds.
3. Our candidates demonstrate effective instruction, caring behavior, and reflection to improve practice.
4. 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.
5. Our candidates are able to use appropriate technology in carrying out their professional responsibilities.