Caldwell University is a private, accredited Catholic university in Caldwell, NJ offering bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees and a vibrant campus life complete with rewarding activities, clubs, and service opportunities.
The Caldwell University NJ Teacher Certification program is designed for working adults with classes held on Saturday mornings on-campus. This makes it easy to balance work hours or paraprofessional work while taking coursework. The full post-baccalaureate program takes just 18 months to complete and will set you on the path to a New Jersey CEAS certification. You can use courses taken in this program to continue to a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction or a Master’s in Literacy.
This program is offered for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and wish to obtain teaching certification. This program is open to students with undergraduate backgrounds in the liberal arts and sciences. Applicants are advised that additional undergraduate course work may be required to meet New Jersey certification standards. See “Certification Procedures” in the Academic Policies section for information on procedures to earn New Jersey certification.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or a master’s degree in a relevant content area with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Official undergraduate/graduate transcripts
Two professional references
Submit a personal statement of 2-3 pages describing your reasons for pursuing this program of study
Personal interview
NOTE: It is highly recommended that the Praxis II exam is passed prior to admission. A passing score on the Praxis II exam is required by the State of New Jersey for certification. Students must pass this exam in their first semester (two courses) of the program. Students will not be allowed to take additional courses until Praxis scores have been submitted to the Office of Field Placement.
Courses
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (27 credits)
GRADUATE COURSES (15 credits)
Curriculum Theory and Development for General and Special Education Students
Course Code : ED 500E
Course Description :
The prospective teacher will study curriculum priorities of the school and assessment techniques. He or she will learn how to unit plan, organize content, develop outcomes, and select materials for general and special education students, including those with autism.
Curriculum Theory and Development for General and Special Education Students
Course Code : ED 500S
Course Description :
The prospective teacher will study students, their characteristics as individuals, their individual interests, how students learn, how to establish a productive learning environment and the needs and characteristics of the special needs population, including students with autism.
Student Development and Learning for General and Special Education Students
Course Code : ED 505
Course Description :
The prospective teacher will study students, their characteristics as individuals, their individual interests, how students learn, how to establish a productive learning environment and the needs and characteristics of the special needs population, including students with autism.
The prospective teacher will learn about language development, the reading process, the methods and materials necessary to teaching reading, and the application of reading skills to all subject areas and disciplines found within the school curriculum. (30-hour field requirement)
The prospective teacher will learn about the classroom as a social unit and the management/organization skills to create an effective learning environment. The prospective teacher will become familiar with the organizational, social, economic, and political forces that impact upon schools.
The prospective teacher will study the common skills for the delivery of instruction including planning, comparative methodology, questioning, instructional skills, use of technology, selection of materials, goal setting, pacing of instruction, and measuring outcomes. The prospective teacher will investigate student creativity and learn how to engage students in active learning. Field component requires a minimum 175 hours of in-school observation.
The student teaching experience is the culmination of the program. Student teaching must be completed in the semester following the completion of all coursework. No additional courses may be taken during student teaching.
Note: Nine undergraduate credits of behavioral science are required prior to student teaching, as follows:
K-6 (Elementary)
1 Sociology course with approved multicultural content
Prenatal/Infant Psychology
Child Psychology
5-8 (Middle School)
1 Sociology course with approved multicultural content
Prenatal/Infant Psychology
Child Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
K-12 (Secondary)
1 Sociology course with approved multicultural content
Child Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
Early Childhood Program — Students who wish to obtain the P-3 endorsement must also complete ED 332 Methods of Early Childhood Education and ED 333 Curriculum in Early Childhood Education.
Upon completion of the post-baccalaureate program, students entering the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction program may transfer 15 credits into the elective section of the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction program. 15 credits may transfer into the M.A. in Literacy Instruction program. No other transfer credits will be accepted.
Additionally, students who successfully complete the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program may wish to enter the Special Education Certification program.
Transfer of Graduate Credit
The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program accepts up to three credits of transfer credit on approval.
Program Requirements (27 credits)
Program Requirements (27 credits)
Graduate Courses (15 credits) ED 500 Curriculum Theory and Development (3) ED 505 Student Development and Learning (3) ED 510 Reading and Communication (field component) (3) ED 515 Classrooms and Community: A Social Unit (3) ED 520 Professional Skills (field component) (3)
Undergraduate Courses (12 credits) ED 470 Student Teaching (9) ED 475 Student Teaching Seminar (3)
The student teaching experience is the culmination of the program. Student teaching must be completed in the semester following the completion of all coursework. No additional courses may be taken during student teaching.
Note: Nine undergraduate credits of behavioral science are required prior to student teaching, as follows:
K-6 (Elementary)
1 Sociology course with approved multicultural content
Prenatal/Infant Psychology
Child Psychology
5-8 (Middle School)
1 Sociology course with approved multicultural content
Prenatal/Infant Psychology
Child Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
K-12 (Secondary)
1 Sociology course with approved multicultural content
Child Psychology
Adolescent Psychology
Early Childhood Program — Students who wish to obtain the P-3 endorsement must also complete ED 332 Methods of Early Childhood Education and ED 333 Curriculum in Early Childhood Education.
Upon completion of the post-baccalaureate program, students entering the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction program may transfer 15 credits into the elective section of the M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction program. 15 credits may transfer into the M.A. in Literacy Instruction program. No other transfer credits will be accepted.
Additionally, students who successfully complete the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program may wish to enter the Special Education Certification program.
Transfer of Graduate Credit The Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program accepts up to three credits of transfer credit on approval.
For information about faculty and other education programs at Caldwell University, see Graduate School of Education.