MAT in Elementary Education Certification (K-6)

Information Session and FAQ

Access a list of Frequently Asked Questions: FAQ list

View a recorded information session here.

The 33 credit Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education Clinical Practice program allows graduate students to earn initial teacher certification in Elementary Education (K-6) and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. The coursework begins in May of the first summer and ends August of the following summer, with experiences in educational settings integrated into course requirements. Content and pedagogy courses are offered on campus in the evening and online. The program includes a year-long residency starting in September during which students are in area schools three days a week in the fall and four days a week in the spring.

~Applicants to the MAT K-6 program must apply for a Substitute Teaching License immediately. A Substitute Teaching License will be needed for participation in clinical experiences. See http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/departments/field/substitute-license.html

+Clinical practice requires prior application through the Office of Field Experiences. Clinical experience applications must be submitted as soon as applicants are admitted into the program. For additional information please contact the Office of Field Experiences 973-720-3132 or 973-720-2109.

View required courses and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog
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Admission Requirements

In addition to the University’s admission requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree with either a major in liberal arts or science or with a minimum of 60 credits of liberal arts from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended.
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Qualifying scores on a state-approved test of basic skills (PRAXIS CORE, ACT, SAT or GRE, or a combination of these).
  • Passing score on PRAXIS II content exam in Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects, Test Series 5001.
  • Resume to include names and contact information of two (2) references.

Requirements to be completed prior to Clinical Practice:

  • Submit Clinical Practice applications.
  • Fulfill health/hygiene requirement (may be satisfied by undergraduate coursework).
Exit Requirements
  • Maintain B (3.0) or better GPA
  • Satisfactory completion of year-long residency
  • Satisfactory completion of program-based assessments and capstone research project
  •  Complete and successfully upload an Elementary edTPA teacher candidate assessment (http://www.edtpa.com/).

*Applicants wishing to obtain an endorsement in Teacher of Students with Disabilities may apply six credits of the MAT K-6 coursework to the TSD Endorsement Program requirements. These credits can not be applied to the M.Ed. in Teacher of Students with Disabilities.

Application Deadline

April 30st: Summer semester
*International students are advised to apply by: December 1st Summer (May intake)

Matriculation:
Summer term
***Obtain Substitute Teaching License immediately when applying for this program.**

Contact Us

Professor Julie Rosenthal
Program Director, Department of Teacher Education, Pk-12 
rosenthalj@wpunj.edu