TeacherEducation

Program Information

Pk-12 schools are in need of qualified teachers now more than ever. There are thousands of unfilled teaching positions with more openings projected. You can help address this burgeoning teacher shortage, and fortify your employment prospects, by earning a master’s degree and teaching certificate at Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

Juniors can apply now to earn an Ed.M. with teacher certification with just one additional year of study; Seniors need just two years to be highly competitive in this wide-open job market.

Rutgers GSE is the top-ranked school of education in the state and its faculty and remote courses are rated among the best in the university system. Due to its strong school partnerships and carefully selected cooperating teachers, the GSE was the first NJ teacher preparation program able to offer candidates timely clinical experiences in spite of the pandemic.

Don’t miss this opportunity to secure your future and join the ranks of one of the most noble and needed professions in our nation. Contact academic.services@gse.rutgers.edu for information and how you can apply today.

Academic Programs

Rutgers Graduate School of Education offers two types of initial teacher preparation programs:

  • Five-Year Programs: joint bachelor’s degree/master’s degree/initial teacher certification programs for Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduates
  • Post Baccalaureate Programs: joint master’s degree/initial teacher certification programs. These programs are designed for individuals who possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education and who wish to pursue certification and a master’s degree in education at the same time

Additionally, the Alternate Route Program is available for career changers, recent college graduates and substitute teachers. 

Faculty

Rutgers Graduate School of Education Faculty are renowned experts in the fields of education research and teacher preparation. Our faculty are leaders in national conversations on topics such as teacher evaluation, education assessment, literacy, minority education, common core concepts, and more. Learn more about our faculty here.

Student Handbooks

Two handbooks help guide our students through the Teacher Education programs. The Five-Year Teacher Education Program Policy and Procedure Handbook is a useful resource for all teacher education students. The Clinical Practice Handbook is used as a reference for students who are entering or currently participating in their full-time Clinical Practice semester.

Clinical Work

The goal of school-based fieldwork is to provide the student with an opportunity to relate the theories and research they encounter in their coursework to the work of actual schools; to construct knowledge about and understanding of learning and teaching within the context and culture of particular schools; and to actively engage in reflections on teaching and learning with students, peers and professionals. Through clinical work, students begin their journey to become scholars of teaching and learning.

All field placements are arranged by the Office of Student and Academic Services. Students are not permitted to arrange or change field placements on their own. Special accommodations will be made by the Office of Student and Academic Services on a case-by-case basis and should be addressed to Director of Teacher Education.

The GSE offers three levels of clinical work through its teacher preparation program:

Prior to admission to a teacher preparation program

Introduction to Education: twenty hours observation in various settings including elementary, secondary, special education, English as a second language.

After admission to a teacher preparation program

Clinical Experience Phase 1: (first Fall) thirty-to-fifty hours in a local GSE-CSPN Clinical Partner District.

Clinical Practice Phase 2: (first Spring) two full days per week in a GSE-CSPN Clinical Partner District. Students work with a cooperating teacher who serves as mentor and master teacher.

Clinical Practice Phase 3: (second Fall) full-time, five days per week in a GSE-CSPN Clinical Partner District. Students work with a cooperating teacher who serves as mentor and master teacher. Students also have a university supervisor who visits every second week to observe lessons and to critique the intern’s teaching performance.

Community-Based Clinical Experience: (second Spring) a community-based clinical experience associated with a specific course. Fieldwork takes place outside of the typical academic setting.

GSE Community School Partnership Network

The GSE has developed mutually beneficial partnerships with several local public school districts. All clinical work will take place in a GSE-CSPN clinical partner district. Limited exceptions will be made for students enrolled in certain programs.

GSE-CSPN Clinical Partner Districts:

  • Bound Brook (Somerset County)
  • Franklin Township (Somerset County)
  • Highland Park (Middlesex County)
  • Neptune Township (Monmouth County)
  • New Brunswick (Middlesex County)
  • North Brunswick (Middlesex County)
  • Rahway (Union County)
  • Woodbridge Township (Middlesex County)

Goals of the GSE-CSPN:

  • To develop strong connections between the GSE, school districts, local community-based organizations, and families to support the education of P-12 students and advance the practice of high quality teaching and learning.
  • To offer a forum focused on shared influence and knowledge to promote the education profession and renew its responsibility to advance equity and excellence within schools and the broader community.
  • Promote a culture of education committed to active engagement in the school and community;
  • To provide a resource for ongoing and reciprocal professional development for all participants guided by need and situated in a critical understanding of diverse P-12 learners.
All questions and comments about field placements should be directed to:
Office of Student and Academic Services at the Graduate School of Education
(848) 932-3232

Ken Tufo, Student Counselor II, ken.tufo@gse.rutgers.edu

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