Health and Physical Education (Combined BS/MAT)

The Graduate School requires the equivalent of a US Bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to apply for a graduate program. Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the application page for international students 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 of corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.

• Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
• Submit Online Application: Please create your online account by following the general application instructions (link) and pay 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 Health and Physical Education (Combined BS/MAT) program:

• Transcript: One from each college attended.
• Essays/Personal Statement – One Portrait of a Teacher essay:
  • A major goal of Montclair State University’s teacher education program is to educate teachers who understand how to prepare their students for democratic citizenship. Democratic citizenship includes the ability to think critically and to play an active role in improving our society.
    You will notice that several of the standards in the Potrait focus on this important goal. For the statement of objectives, please focus on items 5 and 6 of the Potrait of a Teacher. In a cohesive essay of three to four double-spaced, typed pages, please write about item numbers 5 or 6 from the “Portrait of a Teacher” addressing the following questions:In your life as a citizen, student, and future teacher of this society, what experiences are reflective of this standard? Additionally, what experiences in your life have conflicted with this standard?Envision yourself as a teacher. How would you foster a classroom climate that would promote this standard in your discipline? You might begin by reflecting on some of your own classroom experiences as a student. Which things would you do differently and which would you emulate in creating such a classroom climate?Montclair State University
    PORTRAIT OF A TEACHER
    The Montclair State University community is committed to the continuing development of teachers who exemplify the dispositions, knowledge, and skills reflected in this portrait. They:1. Have expert knowledge of the disciplines they will teach and can use various strategies, including media and technology, for creating learning experiences that make the subject matter accessible and meaningful to all students.
    2. Understand how children and adolescents learn and develop in a variety of school, family and community contexts, and can provide learning opportunities that support their students’ intellectual, social, and personal development.
    3. Understand the practice of culturally responsive teaching. They understand that children bring varied talents, strengths, and perspectives to learning; have skills for learning about the diverse students they teach; and use knowledge of students and their lives to design and carry out instruction that builds on students’ individual and cultural strengths.
    4. Plan instruction based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, families, communities, and curriculum goals and standards; and taking into account issues of class, gender, race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, age, and special needs in designing instruction.
    5. Understand critical thinking and problem solving, and create learning experiences that promote the development of students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills and dispositions.
    6. Understand principles of democracy and plan and carry out instruction that promotes democratic values and communication in the classroom.
    7. Understand and use multiple forms of assessment to promote the intellectual, social, and physical development of learners and to inform instruction.
    8. Create a community in the classroom that is nurturing, caring, safe, and conducive to learning.
    9. Are reflective practitioners who continually inquire into the nature of teaching and learning, reflect on their own learning and professional practice, evaluate the effects of their choices and actions on others, and seek out opportunities to grow professionally.
    10. Build relationships with school colleagues, families, and agencies in the community to support students’ learning and well-being, and work to foster an appreciation of diversity among students and colleagues.
    11. Possess the literacy skills associated with an educated person; can speak and write English fluently and communicate clearly.
    12. Develop dispositions expected of professional educators. These include belief in the potential of schools to promote social justice; passion for teaching; and commitment to ensuring equal learning opportunities for every student, critical reflection, inquiry, critical thinking, and life-long learning, the ethical and enculturating responsibilities of educators, and serving as agents of change and stewards of best practice.

• Letters of Recommendation: Two
• Standardized Test Scores:  Praxis (see test waiver policies)
• International Students: The TOEFL is required for applicants to any program who earned their degree in a country where English is not the official language (TOEFL Waiver Rules). Moreover, International students must have their transcripts evaluated by an approved evaluator. Please check this page for more information.

• For more information, please visit the program listing in the University Catalog.

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
The Graduate School
Email: graduate.school@montclair.edu
Telephone: (973) 655-5147
Fax: (973) 655-7869

If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact:
Program Coordinator: Ms Carla Engstrom
Office: University Hall 1160
Email: engstromc@mail.montclair.edu
Telephone: 973‑655‑3490

Program Coordinator: Dr. Talida State
Office: University Hall 2128A
Email: statet@mail.montclair.edu
Telephone: 973‑655‑6709