Middle School Language Arts and Literacy Endorsement

This program is designed for teachers who are already certified for elementary grades K - 5. The state requires 15 credits of study in the content area to teach at a middle school level. The endorsement entitles teachers to teach language arts and literacy full-time in grades 5 through 8.

Coordinator: Dr. Carrie Hong
honge1@wpunj.edu
Phone: 973-720-2130
Office: Valley Room #4082

Entry Requirements
Each applicant must demonstrate that he or she can fulfill the requirements of the program, including the ability to read and write at a graduate level, the capability to do graduate level academic work, and an interest in educational theory and practice. Toward this end the requirements for admission are:
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended.
  • A cumulative grade point average from past degrees of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
  • A copy of a teaching certificate and a resume of any teaching or educational work the applicant has performed. 

Additional Information
  • Previous coursework may count toward the endorsement; make sure that transcripts are evaluated for relevant coursework prior to beginning the program.
  • Undergrad coursework in Adolescent Psychology is required for the completion of this endorsement. A course titled "Child Psychology" will not be accepted unless it covers the development of adolescents between the ages of 11 - 14. Two courses at William Paterson meet this requirement: PSY 2100 Developmental Psychology and PSY 3200 Psychology of Adolescence.
  • Teachers should apply on their own to the NJDOE for the middle school language arts endorsement if they do not complete the WPU program in full (5courses, plus adolescent psychology if needed).
  • You must pass the middle school Language Arts praxis examination in order to receive the endorsement.
  • Contact Liana Fornarotto (Director of Certification Office) at 973-720-2206 (fornarottol@wpunj.edu) for licensure information.

Course Requirements*: 15 Credits (effective for matriculated students in fall 2011)

 
*Choose five courses (15 Credits) plus a psychology course if needed. 

Course Number and Title

 Credits
Required Curriculum Courses:
ELRL 6040 Recent Trends in Children's Literature 3
ELRL 6170 Children's Literacy in the 21st Century 3
ELRL 6310 Written Expression with Technology 3
ELRL 6050 Advanced Inquiry in Literature for Children and Youth 3
ELRL 6260 Literature for Adolescents 3
PSY 2100 Developmental Psychology or PSY 3200 Psychology of Adolescence 3