Middle School Preparation for Elementary Education Certificate

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Why Middle School Certification?

This program is ideal for teachers and candidates for New Jersey Certification who want to broaden their job prospects. Both Elementary and High School teachers can become qualified to teach Middle School. This endorsement also offers certified teachers the opportunity to become highly qualified in Mathematics, Science, English/Language Arts, and Social Studies at the Middle School Level.

Ramapo College Middle School Certification

Students in Class This program is open to all RCNJ teacher education students and working teachers interested in the middle school endorsement. The courses may be taken during the regular semesters, summer sessions I and II, winter session and online, see Academic Calendars.

To earn the RCNJ Middle School Certificate, students are required to take:

- PSYC 347 Adolescent Psychology
- Two seminars focused on issues critical to middle school teaching:

Completion of the above requirements is noted on the student’s official Ramapo College transcripts. Guidance is provided for students to successfully apply to the state of New Jersey for the Middle School endorsement once their coursework is complete.

Mission of Teacher Education and Certification Program

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, the 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.

Program Enrollment/Application

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to consult with Joanne Caselli (201-684-7626) prior to enrollment in or application to this program.

Current Ramapo education students in Good Academic Standing should use the Major/Minor Declaration Form available through the Registrar’s Office to enroll in this program. Click on “Change of Major/Minor” to access the form.

Non-Ramapo students are welcome to apply to this program as a Non-Degree Seeking Student through Ramapo’s Office of Admissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the requirements for the Middle School Teacher Certification?
Upon acceptance, each enrollee is given an individualized Program Plan. Your program plan is based on a review of your current transcripts to identify previous classes taken that may be applied to meet the requirements of the content area in which you wish to become certified. To complete the program, students must successfully complete Adolescent Psychology (PSYC347), two seminars focused on issues critical to middle school teaching, and any additional courses outlined in your Program Plan specific to your content area.

Q: Who can take the Middle School Teacher Certification Program?
All RCNJ teacher education students and certified elementary and high school teachers interested in the New Jersey middle school endorsement may apply for Ramapo’s Middle School Certification program. This endorsement also offers certified teachers the opportunity to become highly qualified in Mathematics, Science, English/Language Arts, and Social Studies at the Middle School Level. Certified teachers must provide a copy of their teaching certification as part of the application process.

Q: How long does the program take to complete?
The Middle School Teacher Certification program can be completed at your own pace. All courses are offered during various semesters throughout the year. The length of the program is dependent on your individual Program Plan and how many courses you will need to take to certify in a specific content area.

Q: Who do I contact to get an override into a course?
If you are having trouble registering for a course and/or need an override into a course, please contact Joanne Caselli in the Teacher Education office at (201) 684-7626 or jcaselli@ramapo.edu.

Q: Is the Middle School Teacher Certification program eligible for financial aid?
If you are a current Ramapo College student receiving aid, the required classes are part of your normal course schedule, therefore are paid through your college account. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (201) 684-7549 to see how many credits you are covered for through financial aid. If you are not a matriculated Ramapo College student, this program is not eligible for financial aid because it is a non-degree program.

Q: What is the total cost of the program?
The Ramapo College courses for the Middle School Teacher Certification are all credit-bearing and tuition is established annually by the Board of Trustees. The cost per credit is dependent on the semester in which courses are taken, as well as in-state or out-of-state status. To view the tuition cost per credit, please visit the Office of Student Accounts website at https://www.ramapo.edu/student-accounts/costinfo/.

Q: How do I get my Middle School endorsement after completing all courses?
Guidance is provided for students to successfully apply to the state of New Jersey for the Middle School endorsement once their Ramapo College Middle School Teacher Certification program is complete. For more information, please call 201-684-7626 or email jcaselli@ramapo.edu.

Q: Will these courses appear on my transcript?
Yes, all required courses taken as part of the Middle School Teacher Certification program are recorded on your Ramapo College official transcript. Transcripts may be requested online on the Registrar’s website at https://www.ramapo.edu/registrar/.

Contact Information

Joanne Caselli
Ramapo College of New Jersey
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430
Phone: (201) 684-7626
E-mail: jcaselli@ramapo.edu