Welcome to the Teacher Preparation Program at Rutgers-Camden!

Armitage Hall, Room B-34

Rutgers University - Camden's Teacher Preparation Program, which is designed to meet the aims below, is preaccredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) for a period of five years, from September 2008 to September 2013.

 

The Teacher Preparation Program on the Camden Campus of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is an undergraduate certification program that coordinates coursework and field experiences leading to New Jersey Teacher certification, a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing.

Aims of the Program
The two pillars of the Rutgers Camden Teacher Preparation Program are solid knowledge of a discipline and extensive practical experience. We produce students who know what they are teaching about and also know how to teach what they know. The program seeks to develop pre-service teachers who:

• are competent, caring and qualified educators;
• are well prepared in their subject knowledge;
• are able to implement "best teaching practices" in their instruction;
• are proficient readers, writers, listeners, and able to model expertise in these fundamental aspects of educational practice;
• are knowledgeable about the impact of technology on education and how to use technology in an effective manner; and
• are well grounded in the appreciation of diversity and global cultures

Certification Programs

Pre-School through 3rd Grade Certification (P-3): A P-3 endorsement can be thought of as a GENERALIST endorsement. You will be able to teach all subjects in the traditional self-contained P-3 classroom (e.g. language arts, math, science, social studies). P-3 candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree as well as complete the course requirements to earn a P-3 endorsement.

Elementary Certification (K-5): A K-5 endorsement can be thought of as an Elementary School GENERALIST endorsement. You will be able to teach all subjects in the traditional self-contained elementary classroom (e.g. language arts, math, science, social studies), provided that the school in which you will be teaching does not departmentalize its fifth grade classes. Elementary candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree as well as complete the course requirements to earn a K-5 endorsement.

Subject Matter Certification (K-12): K-12 endorsement can be thought of as a SPECIALIST endorsement. In theory, you will be able to teach the subject matter of your endorsement (e.g. English) and only that subject at all grade levels.  We offer K-12 certification for the following subjects: Art, Biological Science, Chemistry, English, French, German, Mathematics, Music, Physics, Physical Science, Social Studies, Spanish, and Theater.   In practice, however, you will likely teach your subject in grades 6 – 12, unless your content is taught at all grade levels (e.g. Music). Subject Matter candidates must earn a bachelor’s degree as well as complete the course requirements to earn a K-12 endorsement.

Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification (P-12): P-12 TSD endorsement is for teaching special education students from preschool through twelfth grade. It is important to note that the Teachers of Students with Disabilities license cannot stand alone. This certification must be completed in addition to a P-3, K-5, or K-12 licensure program. If you are a current TPP student, you must declare DUAL certification with the TPP and complete all course requirements prior your application for student teaching. For post-baccalaureate candidates who already hold a NJ teaching license, the Practicum course must be taken in your final semester of classes.

Middle School Certification (5-8): Middle School endorsement can be thought of as a SPECIALIST endorsement at the middle school grades. You will be able to teach the subject matter of your endorsement (e.g. English) in a departmentalized, middle school setting.

We offer Middle School certification for the following subjects: Language Arts, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science.   It is important to note that the Middle School licenses cannot stand alone - the requirements must be completed in addition to a K-5 licensure program.
For Elementary Candidates who would like to add on middle school certificate you will need:

• Elementary School endorsement (a K-5 certificate in hand)
• 15 semester hour credits in one of the content areas (the level of the courses is not specified) English,             Math,   Social Studies, or Science
• Passing Praxis II in the middle school area of your credit hours (Math, Social Studies, English, or             Science)
• 2 Courses: Psychology of Adolescence (50:830:326) AND Psychology of Childhood    (50:830:226)

For K-12 Candidates, a middle school certificate is not required to teach your subject area in a middle school. For K-12 Candidates who would like to add on middle school certificate in an area outside of the K-12 certificate you have already earned, you will need to follow the steps above for Elementary Candidates.

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* Students can only complete up to three certifications as one time with our Program.

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For questions about the "alternate route" or other licensure and credentials issues, click here to visit the NJ Department of Education website.

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Appointments/Consultations with the Teacher Preparation Program
Please call Ms. Diggs (856.225.6051) to make an appointment.