Photo of teacher with students in a classroom.

Teacher Education and Certification

Are you interested in becoming a school teacher? Or are you a teacher looking for an additional certification? We are dedicated to preparing and supporting knowledgeable teachers who develop a strong set of commitments to equity and diversity, critical thinking, and social responsibility. Our nationally and internationally recognized Teacher Education Program has many unique features, which include curricular emphasis, the Center of Pedagogy, as well as partnerships with local schools and communities. The program has been nationally accredited since 1954; first by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and most recently by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in 2021.

Undergraduate students can pursue teacher certification while majoring in a complementary field of interest. They also have the option to pursue a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree with teacher certification in general and special education. Graduate students have the option to pursue teacher certification along with their master’s degree or as a post-baccalaureate certification program. If you are interested in learning about our doctoral program, please visit Teacher Education and Teacher Development.

Our Teacher Education programs are NCATE-accredited, New Jersey Department of Education-approved, and eligible for interstate reciprocity.

Contact Information

Academic Programs

Montclair State University offers different paths you can follow to become a teacher:

1: Bachelor's Degree Programs with Teacher Certification

The programs below offer teacher education tracks that will earn you both a Bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in four years. Note that social studies certification is offered as a complement to a Baccalaureate degree within the History, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology programs. English as a Second Language certification is available within the Linguistics program.

Programs with Teacher Certification in Pre-K through Grade 3

Programs with Teacher Certification in Elementary Grades K-6

Programs with Teacher Certification in a Subject Area, Grades P-12

2: Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs with Teacher Certification

The majors below have accelerated five-year teacher education tracks that will earn you a Bachelor’s degree, Master of Arts in Teaching degree, teacher certification in a content area, and teacher certification in Teacher of Students with Disabilities (special education). English as a Second Language certification is available within the Linguistics program.

Programs with Dual Teacher Certification in Pre-K through Grade 3

Programs with Dual Teacher Certification in Elementary Grades K-6

Programs with Dual Teacher Certification in Grades P-12, Subject Area

3: With a Master's Degree

The Master of Arts in Teaching has a wide variety of academic programs to choose from and is an especially good fit for students who wish to pursue additional certification in teaching students with disabilities.

4: Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

If the undergraduate major you want to take doesn’t offer teacher certification, or if you’re a returning student who already holds a Bachelor’s Degree, a Post-baccalaureate Certificate Program could be a good fit for you.

Early and Elementary Education

Early Elementary Education (Preschool – Grade 3)

Apply NowView Catalog for Early Elementary Education (Preschool – Grade 3)Application Requirements for Early Elementary Education (Preschool – Grade 3)

Elementary Education (Kindergarten – Grade 6)

Apply NowView Catalog for Elementary Education (Kindergarten – Grade 6)Application Requirements for Elementary Education (Kindergarten – Grade 6)


Teaching Students with Disabilities

Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Grades K-6 Teachers) &
Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities
(Preschool – Grade 12)

Apply NowView Catalog for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Grades K-6 Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)Application Requirements for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Grades K-6 Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)

Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Preschool through Grade 3 Teachers) &
Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities
(Preschool – Grade 12)

Apply NowView Catalog for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Preschool through Grade 3 Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)Application Requirements for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Preschool through Grade 3 Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)

Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Subject Area Teachers) &
Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities
(Preschool – Grade 12)

Apply NowView Catalog for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Subject Area Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)Application Requirements for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Subject Area Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)


Grades 5 – 8 Subject Area Certification

Mathematics (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics)

Apply NowView Catalog for Mathematics (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics)Application Requirements for Mathematics (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics)

Science (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Science)

Apply NowView Catalog for Science (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Science)Application Requirements for Science (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Science)


Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification

Art

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in ArtApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Art

Biological Science

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Biological ScienceApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Biological Science

Chemistry

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in ChemistryApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Chemistry

Earth Science

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Earth ScienceApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Earth Science

English

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in EnglishApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in English

English as a Second Language

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in English as a Second LanguageApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in English as a Second Language

French

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in FrenchApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in French

Health and Physical Education

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Health and Physical EducationApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Health and Physical Education

Italian

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in ItalianApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Italian

Latin

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in LatinApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Latin

Mathematics

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in MathematicsApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Mathematics

Music

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in MusicApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Music

Physical Education

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Physical EducationApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Physical Education

Physical Science

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Physical ScienceApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Physical Science

Social Studies

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Social StudiesApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Social Studies

Spanish

Apply NowView Catalog for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in SpanishApplication Requirements for Preschool – Grade 12 Subject Area Certification in Spanish

5: Additional Education Certification

Are you interested in obtaining additional teaching certification? Montclair State offers a variety of options at the Post-baccalaureate and Master’s level to help educators advance their careers and expand their knowledge.

Teaching Students with Disabilities

Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Grades K-6 Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)

Apply NowView Catalog for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Grades K-6 Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)Application Requirements for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Grades K-6 Teachers) & Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)

Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Preschool through Grade 3 Teachers) &
Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities 
(Preschool – Grade 12)

Apply NowView Catalog Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Preschool through Grade 3 Teachers) &Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)Application Requirements Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Preschool through Grade 3 Teachers) &Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)

Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Subject Area Teachers)  &
Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities
 (Preschool – Grade 12)

Apply NowView Catalog for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Subject Area Teachers) &Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)Application Requirements for Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Inclusive Education for Subject Area Teachers) &Instructional Certification: Teacher Certification in Students with Disabilities (Preschool – Grade 12)

Virtual Learning for Students with Disabilities Certificate Program

Apply NowView Catalog for Virtual Learning for Students with Disabilities Certificate ProgramApplication Requirements for Virtual Learning for Students with Disabilities Certificate Program


Bilingual Bicultural Education Endorsement Program

Apply NowView Catalog for Bilingual Bicultural Education Endorsement Program


Grades 5 – 8 Subject Area Certification

Mathematics (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics)

Apply NowView Catalog for Mathematics (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics)Application Requirements for Mathematics (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Mathematics)

Science (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Science)

Apply NowView Catalog for Science (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Science)Application Requirements for Science (Teacher Certification in Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization: Science)

6: Education Related Certificate Programs

Are you interested in obtaining specialized knowledge in an area related to teaching and schools? Montclair State offers several graduate-level programs leading to specialized certificates that help prepare candidates to work with unique school-age populations and curriculum analysis and development.

Bilingual/Bicultural Education Teacher Certification

Apply NowView Catalog for Bilingual/Bicultural Education Teacher Certification

Developmental Models of Autism Intervention Certificate Program

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program in Developmental Models of Autism Intervention (DMAI) prepares teachers, educators, mental health practitioners and allied health professionals to use assessment, education, and intervention strategies to work with children with autism and their families.

Apply NowView Catalog for Developmental Models of Autism Intervention Certificate ProgramApplication Requirements for Developmental Models of Autism Intervention Certificate Program

Educational Assessment Certificate Program

The goal of this certificate program is to provide aspiring and practicing educators, educational leaders, and others invested in schools with the practical knowledge and skills needed to engage in valid and ethical assessment practices that guide decision making to inform teaching practices and school/district policies.

Apply NowView Catalog for Educational Assessment Certificate ProgramApplication Requirements for Educational Assessment Certificate Program

Gifted and Talented Education

The Gifted and Talented Education graduate certificate is a fully online, nine-credit program designed for aspiring and practicing classroom teachers, resource specialists, educational consultants, administrators, and parents.

Apply NowView Catalog for Gifted and Talented EducationApplication Requirements for Gifted and Talented Education

Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning

The graduate certificate in Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning is designed to introduce current and future teachers to the theory of practice and inquiry — the search for truth, meaning or reasonable belief — as a method of teaching and learning across school subjects.

Apply NowView Catalog for Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning