College Catalog: 2010-2011

The Teacher Education Program at Ramapo College of New Jersey is offered through the School of Social Science and Human Services which is fully certified by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Ramapo program is approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education under the standards established by the National Association of State Director of Teacher Education and Certification. Teacher preparation candidates are prepared to become student oriented teachers who design high quality learning activities to meet a broad spectrum of learning styles and learning needs.

Ramapo College is located ideally for access to field experience opportunities. Many outstanding urban, suburban, and rural school districts are within a reasonable distance from the college and are most generous in their efforts to support high standards in teacher preparation.

Ramapo College Office of Teacher Education Handbook (PDF)
TE Program Application Checklist (PDF)

The Ramapo College of New Jersey Teacher Education and Certification Program is committed to the preparation of teachers who are highly competent in their academic disciplines and instructional skills.  Our program, aligned with the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers, and nationally accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) prepares students at the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate level to be teachers who model reflective, innovative behavior while demonstrating love and enthusiasm for life-long learning.  The Teacher Education and Certification Program at Ramapo College seeks to ensure that teachers are prepared to communicate effectively, establish productive relationships, and respond to the needs of individual learners, and teaching profession, and the greater community in a fair, equitable manner.  Finally, our program emphasizes the needs of a democratic society.  We are preparing teachers to be leaders in the effort to make the world a safer, more compassionate, and more productive place where respect for all life, for our environment, and for the dignity and diversity of all people will be common priorities.

1. Subject Matter Knowledge.  Teachers shall understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, structures of the discipline, especially as they relate to the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards, and design developmentally appropriate learning experiences making the subject matter accessible and meaningful to all students.
2. Human Growth and Development.  Teachers shall understand how children and adolescents develop and learn in a variety of school, family, and community contexts and provide opportunities that support their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical development.
3. DiverseLearners.  Teachers shall understand the practice of culturally responsive teaching.
4. Instructional Planning and Strategies.  Teachers shall understand instructional planning, design long- and short-term plans based upon knowledge of subject matter, students, community, and curriculum goals, and shall employ a variety of developmentally appropriate strategies in order to promote critical thinking, problem solving and the performance skills of all learners.
5. Assessment.  Teachers shall understand and use multiple assessment strategies and interpret results to evaluate and promote student learning and to modify instruction in order to foster the continuous development of students.
6. Learning Environment.  Teachers shall understand individual and group motivation and behavior and shall create a supportive, safe and respectful learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.
7. Special Needs.  Teachers shall adapt and modify instruction to accommodate the special learning needs of all students.
8. Communication.  Teachers shall use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal and written communication techniques and the tools of information literacy to foster the use of inquiry, collaboration and supportive interactions.
9. Collaboration and Partnerships.  Teachers shall build relationships with parents, guardians, families and agencies in the larger community to support students’ learning and well-being.
10. Professional Development.  Teachers shall participate as active, responsible members of the professional community, engaging in a wide range of reflective practices, pursuing opportunities to grow professionally and establishing collegial relationships to enhance the teaching and learning process.

Undergraduate Students:

• Completion of Praxis I with a minimum score of 170 in each of the following content areas: Reading, Writing, and Math.
• Admission interview with Director of TE program.
• Completion of all requirements for Graduation including a minimum of 128 credits.
• Completion of all requirements for a Major.
• Completion of all General Education requirements.
• Completion of all the School Core requirements for the school of the designated major.
• Completion of courses (which may be in addition to a major) which are needed to fulfill the state requirements of a minimum of 30 credit hours in the Endorsement area and to fulfill Ramapo College program requirements for the Teacher Education sequences within individual endorsements.
• Maintenance of a 2.75 GPA.
• A teaching portfolio providing evidence of addressing the New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards must be submitted to and approved by the teacher education faculty prior to student teaching.
• Completion of the required Education courses (or equivalents approved by the Director of Teacher Education)

Students seeking the elementary education endorsement may select a major in any of our disciplines in the Arts and Sciences. For example, majors in art, history, literature, mathematics, music, psychology, and science are all appropriate for pursuing this endorsement. Students do not major in elementary education at Ramapo College. This means that the curriculum for teacher certification is a very ambitious academic program. Students are completing the equivalent of a double major in terms of course requirements.

Teacher Education courses and/or course options required for endorsements in the following disciplines: