New Jersey Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to teaching schools in New Jersey provides valuable information on how to become eligible to teach in the state. Completing an approved program is essential to obtain a teaching degree in New Jersey. Fortunately, there are several accredited colleges and universities that offer degree programs for new teachers. To find more information on the various New Jersey teaching degrees available, take a look at our table of top-rated teaching programs, list of accredited teacher preparation programs, and student reviews of schools and programs. For anyone looking to work in the New Jersey school system, this guide can help you find the right choice for your individual needs.

Quick Facts

• There are 36 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in New Jersey.¹
• 11 colleges and universities offer an associate’s degree in education.*¹
• 17 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in education.*¹
• 21 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.*¹
• 3 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2017.²
• 2 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Education Programs in 2017.³
• 4 schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Education Programs in 2017.⁴
• 24 not-for-profit teacher programs are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with teacher degree programs.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in New Jersey

Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2017*

• College of New Jersey (#29 in-state, #22 out-of-state)
• Ramapo College of New Jersey (#63 in-state, #50 out-of-state)
• Rutgers University-New Brunswick (#33 in-state, #34 out-of-state)

*Institution-wide ranking.

US News Best Graduate Education Programs 2017

• Rutgers University-New Brunswick (#52)
• Montclair State University (#93)

US News Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2017

• Montclair State University (#47)
• Rowan University (#144)
• New Jersey City University (#163)
• Rutgers University-New Brunswick (#167)

Teacher Preparation Programs Accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP

• Bloomfield College
• Caldwell University
• Centenary College
• College of New Jersey
• College of Saint Elizabeth
• Drew University
• Fairleigh Dickinson University
• Felician College
• Georgian Court University
• Kean University
• Monmouth University
• Montclair State University
• New Jersey City University
• Princeton University
• Ramapo College of New Jersey
• Rider University
• Rowan University
• Rutgers University – Camden
• Rutgers University – Newark
• Rutgers University-New Brunswick
• Saint Peter’s University
• Stockton University
• Thomas Edison State College
• William Paterson University

Read more about the CAEP, NCATE, and TEAC accrediting bodies.

Comparison of Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in New Jersey according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the New Jersey Department of Education for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states. We have also included rankings from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a research and policy group that scores teacher preparation programs at the national level using key standards chosen to measure students’ preparation for success in teaching. For further information on the NCTQ’s program rankings, please see the notes below the table.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution for the 2014-2015 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education records under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which provides for reporting that holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality.

Programs that are not ranked, or for which data is not available, in a given category are denoted as “-“.

*The NCTQ rated undergraduate elementary teaching programs in 2016 and undergraduate secondary teaching programs in 2017 by national percentile based on their overall scores on the NCTQ’s standards for teacher education. Schools that do not provide data on all key standards or that fall below the top 50% of schools nationally are not included by the NCTQ in their ratings. Visit the NCTQ website for more information on its standards and methodologies.
**Net price is per year for undergraduate tuition as calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

Profiles of Well-Known Schools

Seton Hall University: Seton Hall University is located in South Orange, NJ and is home to the College of Education and Human Services. Seton Hall University is widely regarded as having one of the finest education departments in the country comprised of talented faculty, progressive curriculum, and excellent student services. Education is one of the most popular majors at the university at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Academic programs are accredited by several national organizations including the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the Commission On Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE). Students are able to choose from several majors including elementary and secondary education, educational leadership, instructional design and technology, and more.

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in New Jersey

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in New Jersey

Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Rd
Lincroft, NJ 07738-1597
(732) 224-2345
www.brookdalecc.edu

Camden County College*
College Drive
Blackwood, NJ 8012
(856) 227-7200
www.camdencc.edu

College of Saint Elizabeth
2 Convent Rd
Morristown, NJ 07960-6989
(973) 290-4000
www.cse.edu

Essex County College*
303 University Ave
Newark, NJ 7102
(973) 877-3000
http://www.essex.edu/

Student Review: “Every professor I had from the time I started at Essex County College in West Caldwell has been very attentive to any extra work I needed to put in, from the time I started with a remedial math class until the time I graduated. They are really dedicated to making great teachers of the future. The one-on-one questions I was able to ask in tutoring, the very responsive teachers and the small class sizes really made for a great and easy-to-learn environment. Although I went on to receive another degree elsewhere, the teaching program at ECC is wonderful and I truly value my time spent there.” -Student at Essex County College

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Clorham
285 Madison Ave
Madison, NJ 7940
(973) 443-8500

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
1000 River Rd
Teaneck, NJ 7666
(201) 692-2000

Georgian Court University
900 Lakewood Ave
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 987-2700
https://georgian.edu/

Student Review: “Georgian Court University is a wonderful college. First of all the college itself is beautiful. It is located on acres of lush green yards with trees, flowers, and gorgeous stone statues. The buildings are old mansions that were once homes. It is very neat that the classes are held in these old mansions. As far as curriculum goes, I attended Georgian Court University studying education. My major was English, with a minor in secondary education and a special education endorsement. (Upon graduation I would be certified to teach grades K-12, specifically in the areas of English and special education.) The professors that I encountered during my courses were phenomenal. They were very helpful and knowledgeable in their areas of study. There were so many different outlets to choose from if extra help was needed. For example, there was a point during my education at Georgian Court when I had gotten married and started a family. I felt I would no longer be able to keep up with my courses and was going to leave the university for a while. One of my professors referred me to speak with a counselor at the university and she helped me a great deal and gave me better options than to give up on my goals for becoming a teacher. It was nice to know that someone was there to go that extra mile, help me find a schedule that worked for me and made me feel confident in my decision to stay. Now that I’ve gone over the positive points of the university, I will mention two downfalls. The first downfall is the location. I lived about an hour away so I chose to commute. The drive to the school is not that far, however, the town of Lakewood where it is located is another story. Lakewood is extremely congested and there are several lights and heavy traffic at all times. Some parts of Lakewood are also known for crime. Lakewood is a Jewish community and is heavily populated by the Jewish people who tend to commute by walking through the town therefore driving can be a bit difficult for others. The next downfall of the university is the price. College tuition is expensive normally, however, this university is private. When I first began at Georgian Court University I met with a financial aid advisor to find out why I wasn’t receiving as much financial aid help as I had hoped for and they responded to me that it was because this university is a private university. All in all, Georgian Court University is a nice college as long as you don’t mind a hectic commute to get within the gates and you don’t mind paying a bit extra for the courses. I would recommend it because the professors, the courses, the beautiful mansions and surrounding yards make it all worth it. -Student at Georgian Court University

Kean University
1000 Morris Ave
Union, NJ 07083-0411
(908) 737-5326
www.kean.edu

Middlesex County College*
2600 Woodbridge Ave
Edison, NJ 08818-3050
(732) 548-6000

Monmouth University
400 Cedar Ave
West Long Branch, NJ 07764-1898
(732) 571-3400
https://www.monmouth.edu/

Student Review: “Generally speaking, the Monmouth University Elementary Education program prepares students to land jobs in the education field. The university offers a great deal of field experience which is undeniably the most valuable part of the program. The curriculum was extremely challenging and thoroughly covered research in the field. Students will be knowledgeable in popular academic strategies, programs, and research based topics that they will come across in the working environment. I do feel that even though field experience was given, the school could, perhaps, works to provide students with more “real-world” advice when it comes to school related struggles such as behavior management, parent contact, and administrative relationships.” – Student at Monmouth University

Montclair State University
1 Normal Ave
Montclair, NJ 07043
(973) 655-4000
https://www.montclair.edu/

Student Review: “At the program at Montclair State (MSU) it is very rigid but the staff within the program have been extremely supportive. The style of the program allows for all students to find their own philosophy that they will take with them into their own classroom while providing the tools necessary to understand the spectrum of students that exist. There are mandatory classes that give the students a good background of what it meant to be a teacher and what it means to be one in today’s society. The support of the staff is beyond describable. They are able to be reached at almost any time of day and all questions are either answered on the spot or the professors sit with you and find an answer together.” – Student at Montclair State University

New Jersey City University
2039 Kennedy Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 7305
(201) 200-2000
www.njcu.edu

Ocean County College
College Dr
Toms River, NJ 08754-2001
(732) 255-0326
www.ocean.edu

Rider University
2083 Lawrence Rd
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-3099
(609) 896-5000
www.rider.edu

Rowan University
201 Mullica Hill Rd
Glassboro, NJ 8028
(856) 256-4000
www.rowan.edu

Rutgers University-New Brunswick
83 Somerset St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281
(732) 932-1766
https://www.rutgers.edu/

Student Review: “I have enjoyed my time at Rutgers University. Located in the heart of the city of New Brunswick, I am offered many opportunities. Rutgers is a huge melting pot of various cultures. There is so much diversity and room for all kinds of interests. It truly reflects in the various clubs and organizations that are active. I myself am an active member of two of those clubs. The academics at Rutgers are known worldwide for its quality. There is a huge range of topics for study at Rutgers. Rutgers is also a research university, meaning that there are many research opportunities for students. This allows for a more hands-on approach to an individual’s field of study. The downside to it being a research university is that some of the professors are better researchers than teachers. But that is only a slight problem given the many available learning resources provided. Rutgers really is a place to grow and learn.” -Douglas E., student at Rutgers University

Student Review: “The Urban Teacher Education Program at Rutgers University was an amazing experience. My favorite part about the program was the camaraderie and the relationships that were built. Each cohort became a family, and although I have since moved away, I still remain in touch with my colleagues. The downside was some of the faculty members. A handful were unprofessional and added lots of stress with unnecessary assignments that I never applied to my actual teaching. The program coordinator was phenomenal and she was a true guide during the rough patches. To offset the lackluster professors, there were some professors in the program that were truly experts in their field and never hesitated to help. Overall, it was a lovely program that really helped prepare me for teaching in the inner city.” -Student at Rutgers University

Saint Peters College
2641 Kennedy Blvd
Jersey City, NJ 07306-5997
(201) 761-6000
www.spc.edu

Salem Community College*
460 Hollywood Ave
Carneys Point, NJ 08069-2799
(856) 299-2100

Seton Hall University
400 S Orange Ave
South Orange, NJ 07079-2697
(973) 761-9000
http://www.shu.edu/

Student Review: “The education program at Seton Hall is top notch. The professors are knowledgeable, friendly, and very helpful. The program is rigorous and leaves you well-prepared for the challenges ahead of you as an educator in the 21st century. The internship hour requirements ensure that you get real-life experience in the field and allow you to work closely with seasoned teachers. The field experience offers you plenty of opportunity to network so that you can learn and begin your hiring process. Once you graduate, Seton Hall’s education program works closely with you to ensure that you get plenty of job interviews and offers. The College of Education at Seton Hall University leaves you well-prepared and feeling comfortable for the job ahead.” -Student at Seton Hall University

The College of New Jersey
2000 Pennington Rd
Ewing, NJ 08628-0718
(609) 771-1855
www.tcnj.edu

The College of Saint Elizabeth
2 Convent Rd
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 290-4000
https://www.cse.edu/

Student Review: “Ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to become a teacher. I wanted to go somewhere close to home and I was so lucky to find the College of Saint Elizabeth to enter into their education program. As a freshman, we were working with students right away in the classroom setting and learning the ins and outs of what it is like to be a teacher in the 21st century. The professors provided endless support and always encouraged us to do our very best. The classes were small and intimate, giving you that one on one experience that most large universities could not provide. I loved the community of college of Saint Elizabeth so much, I earned my MA in Education with Special Education concentration. All the skills I learned in both the BA and MA programs have allowed me to become a strong and confident teacher in today’s society, thanks to the wonderful program at the College of Saint Elizabeth!” -Student at the College of Saint Elizabeth

Stockton University
Jim Leeds Rd
Pomona, NJ 08240-0195
(609) 652-1776
www.stockton.edu

William Paterson University of New Jersey
300 Pompton Rd
Wayne, NJ 7470
(973) 720-2000
www.wpunj.edu

An asterisk (*) denotes a two-year or certificate program in education. While a two-year degree will not qualify graduates for teacher certification, it can be a good starting point for a teaching career. To learn more about what you can do with this degree, see our guide to associate’s degrees in education.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/
3. 2017 US News Best Graduate Education Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. 2017 US News Best Online Graduate Education Schools: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. National Council on Teacher Quality 2014-2016 Teacher Preparation Program Review: https://www.nctq.org/review/home
7. US Department of Education 2016 Title II Reports: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx