Our school educates students for teaching careers across the P–12 system, building on TCNJ’s 150-year track record, as the first-ever teacher training school in New Jersey, of preparing exemplary teachers for the classroom.
All of our teacher education programs combine content area study at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences with professional study at the School of Education. So consider your goals:
Interested in teaching English or social studies at the middle or high school level? Matriculate into the School of Humanities and Social Sciences to pursue a secondary education program.
Interested in teaching Spanish at the middle or high school level? Matriculate into the School of Education and pursue the Spanish language major through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Interested in teaching grades P–5 or special education? Matriculate into the School of Education and pursue a second major in a state-approved content area through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Secondary Education Programs
Our school offers two programs for students aspiring to teach at the middle or high school levels: English secondary education for English teachers and history secondary education for social studies teachers. (History is a state-approved content area major for teacher certification in social studies.) Each program integrates liberal arts study in a content area major with a professional teacher-preparation curriculum delivered in collaboration with the School of Education.
Students who successfully complete the program are qualified to teach their chosen content area with state teaching certification. Our graduating classes are well prepared for and perform strongly on the content-specific Praxis II test required for state certification in secondary education.
Our teacher-candidates are sought-after hires in school districts across the state and region, well prepared for the challenges and rewards of the classroom.
English Secondary Education
Students build foundational knowledge of English literature and literary history as well as solid experience in topic-based writing and independent research. These liberal arts studies are complemented by a professional teacher-preparation curriculum that includes extensive classroom exposure and student teaching.
» Learn more about English secondary education
History Secondary Education
Students learn to think and practice as a historian while gaining the broad knowledge of history required to teach such topics as world history and Western civilization at the high school level. These liberal arts studies are complemented by a professional teacher-preparation curriculum that includes extensive classroom exposure and student teaching.
» Learn more about history secondary education
Primary and Special Education Programs
Students who wish to teach at levels earlier than middle school or to focus on specialized student populations matriculate through the School of Education, choosing one of five dual-major programs. These courses of study provide an undergraduate degree in an education major and significant coursework in a content area major that is recognized for state teaching certification.
The School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers content area majors in each of the dual major programs:
Early Childhood Education. Focus on the youngest learners, qualifying for New Jersey teacher certification in grades P–3.
Content Area Majors: African American Studies; English; History; Psychology; Sociology; Spanish; Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Elementary Education. Prepare to teach in an elementary school, qualifying for New Jersey teacher certification in grades K–6.
Content Area Majors: African American Studies; English; History; Psychology; Sociology; Spanish; Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education. Build the right foundation to teach students who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as typical learners, qualifying for teacher certifications in deaf education and P–3 or K–6 education.
Content Area Majors: English; History; Psychology; Sociology; Spanish; Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Special Education. Prepare to teach students with diverse special needs, qualifying for teacher certifications in special education and P–3 or K–6 education.
Content Area Majors: English; History; Psychology; Sociology; Spanish; Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Urban Education. Choose this option within early childhood education or elementary education to focus on the urban school environment, qualifying for teacher certifications in P–3 or K–6 education as well as English as a Second Language (ESL).
Content Area Majors: African American Studies; English; History; Spanish; Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies