Elementary School Certification with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics in Grades 5-8 Online
This program is an additional teacher certification program for candidates who already hold an appropriate New Jersey CEAS or Standard Certification in another content area (e.g., Elementary K-6 or a P-12 secondary content area). The program enables the candidate to be able to effectively teach mathematics in Grades 5-8 and earn the Middle School with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics Grades 5-8 certification after all requirements are met.* This additional certification entitles the candidate to teach mathematics in Grades 5-8 in all New Jersey public schools.
*Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, Dr. Jonathan Cutler, for details regarding additional NJDOE requirements for the state certification that are outside of the program curriculum.
The current New Jersey mathematics standards are incorporated into the curriculum. Teachers who successfully complete the sequence of five courses will be able to make connections across the mathematics curriculum and to other disciplines and be knowledgeable about New Jersey’s mathematics standards. Their increased content knowledge and pedagogical skills will result in an observable, enhanced level of enthusiasm and comfort with mathematics, which will in turn foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of mathematics in their students.
Students who successfully complete the program will have the option to apply for the Master’s in Teaching Middle Grades Mathematics (MA degree) and transfer these credits into this program. The master’s degree is designed to further increase the mathematical knowledge and pedagogical skill of middle grades teachers and to prepare them to be teacher leaders in their buildings, districts, and, for some, at the state and regional level.
Please refer to our teacher education and certification page for information on other options in teacher education as well as our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.
This program is only open to prospective students who currently hold any valid teaching license. The Office of Graduate Admissions requires the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to apply for a graduate program. Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the international applicants page to review the U.S. degree equivalency information.
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admission.
- Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions and pay (or waive) the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Elementary School Certification with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics in Grades 5-8 program:
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- Statement of Purpose: Please write an integrated essay providing a response to each of the following questions:
- What are your goals for graduate study and your future career?
- In what ways do your academic background and your professional experiences provide evidence of your potential for success in the program you selected and in your eventual career? Please give specific examples of relevant coursework and/or experience.
- Is there any further information we should consider in assessing your candidacy?
- Teacher Certification: Valid teaching license.
- Letters of Recommendation: One.
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
The program is 15 credits (5 courses) and all of them are offered online. For more curriculum information, please visit the program listing in the course catalog.
If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869
If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Elementary School Certification with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics in Grades 5-8 Program Coordinator:
Program Coordinator: Dr. Jonathan Cutler
Office: Richardson Hall 306
Email: cutlerjo@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973‑655‑7247