Graduate Program Information

I want to obtain Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) certification. What are my options?

Provided you have initial certification in Early Childhood (P-3) or Elementary Education (K-5), you have two choices within the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy (ECELE):

  1. 24 credit post-BA program that leads to P-12 Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) certification
  2. 36 credit MEd that leads to P-12 Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) certification AND a master’s degree

If your initial teaching certification is at the secondary level, please see the TSD certification programs offered within the Department of Secondary and Special Education.

What are the differences between the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) certification and the master’s in Inclusive Education?

There is a difference in the level of rigor involved in each program. The MEd is a master’s program. As such, the level of academic performance that is expected of the student is higher. Both programs have a focus at the early childhood (P-3) OR elementary (K-6) level depending on your initial certification.

What if I begin the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) certification program and then decide that I want to obtain the master’s degree?

You would need to apply and be accepted into the MEd in Inclusive Education. The 24 credits required for TSD certification are intentionally incorporated within the 36 credit master’s degree. Therefore, any TSD courses you have already taken would apply.

When are graduate courses offered?

To accommodate the work schedules of our candidates, graduate courses are offered in the evenings (5:30 or 8:15) and sometimes on Saturdays. Some courses may also be offered in a hybrid format which combines in-person and online learning.

I have a BA in Education and am certified in Early Childhood (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6). I am interested in a master’s degree. What are my options?

Since you hold both Early Childhood (P-3) and Elementary Education (K-6) initial certifications, you can choose to focus your graduate work at either age level. But you will need to choose one level. You can visit the ECELE website to get detailed information about the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) certification program and the Inclusive Education MEd for those holding an Early Childhood (P-3) or Elementary Education (K-6) license.

I do not have a teaching license but I am interested in teaching children with disabilities. What options are available to me?

The special education certification in New Jersey is titled Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD). It is not a stand-alone certification. All Teachers of Students with Disabilities must have general certification in Early Childhood (P-3), Elementary Education (K-6), or a content area such as math, science, art, physical education, etc.

To obtain an initial teaching certification and the Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification, you have two options to consider in our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) dual certification programs

  1. MAT Dual Certification in Early Childhood (P-3) AND Teacher of Students with Disabilities (48 credits)
  2. MAT Dual Certification in Elementary Education (K-6) AND Teacher of Students with Disabilities (48 credits)