Become a Teacher in New Jersey

Choose the statement that best describes you to jump to applicable information.

I AM…

Teaching in New Jersey Snapshot

$78,090

Secondary School Teacher Salary

$ 71,880

Elementary School Teacher Salary

$ 18,920

Public School Spending Per Student

All career and salary information pulled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 pupil expenditure information was provided by Governing

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

PO Box 500
Trenton, NJ 08625
(609) 376-3500

University of Southern California (USC)

USC Rossier School of Education

info

Master of Arts in Teaching online

The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.

  • Fieldwork placement  
  • Complete in 12-36 months  
  • GRE scores not required 

info SPONSORED

Steps to Becoming a Teacher in New Jersey

Important Note: Education licensure requirements, statistics and other information are subject to change. Teach.com makes its best effort to keep content accurate; however, the official sources are the state education departments. Please confirm licensing requirements with your state before applying for licensure or renewal. (Last update: 04/27/2020)

1

Prerequisite Coursework in New Jersey

All states require at least a bachelor’s degree to teach. New Jersey has the following additional coursework requirements: All prospective teachers must complete a “coherent sequence” of education coursework. In addition, each field or subject area has specific requirements, for example:

  • Elementary Education (Grades K–6): A major in the liberal arts or sciences, or at least 60 liberal arts credits are required. In this sense, “liberal arts” means any course of study designed to provide general knowledge rather than vocational skills. An additional endorsement in a subject area on top of the Elementary Education certificate is required to teach Grades 7–8.
  • English (Grades K–12): A minimum of 30 credits in a coherent sequence in the subject field of English, including at least 12 credits at the advanced level of study.
  • Mathematics (Grades K–12): A minimum of 30 credits in mathematics, including at least 12 credits at the advanced level.
  • Physical Science (Grades K–12): A minimum of 30 credits in the subject field of Physics or Chemistry, including at least 12 credits at the advanced level. An additional 15 credits at any level must be completed in the ancillary subject matter. Examples of courses accepted for Physical Science include physics, mechanics, electrical engineering majors, analytic physics, statics, thermodynamics, circuit designs, heat transfers, and mechanical designs, as well as chemistry courses and biochemistry. This endorsement entitles the holder to teach Physical Science, environmental science, and general science in all public schools.

Candidates seeking initial certification must pass a Commissioner-approved performance-based assessment of teaching if they graduated on or after September 1, 2017. New Jersey also requires a period of student teaching. For more specific requirements for each teaching certificate, please consult the State of New Jersey Department of Education’s list of Certificate Subject Areas.

2

New Jersey Teacher Certification Programs

Teacher certification programs can be taken online or on-site. They typically include an educational theory and classroom skills seminar and a fieldwork component of student teaching in the area. The State of New Jersey Department of Education provides a list of approved teacher preparation programs in New Jersey.

3

Required Tests for New Jersey

Most states require tests to show competency in basic skills as well as in the desired subject area. All candidates for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Certificate of Eligibility Advanced Standing (CEAS) (except those seeking a CE with a career and technical education endorsement) are required to fulfill a basic skills requirement by taking the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam. An SAT, ACT, or GRE score in the top third percentile for the year in which it was taken also meets this requirement. For CEAS candidates, the basic skills requirement must be met before acceptance into a teacher preparation program. In addition, you must pass the PRAXIS II Subject Assessment/Specialty Area test(s) appropriate for the area and/or subject you plan to teach.

You can learn more about the Praxis exams by visiting Teach.coms’ Ultimate Guide to the Praxis Exams and read more about teacher certification tests on Teach.com.

Initial Teaching Certifications

To earn your New Jersey teaching credential you will have to complete the appropriate amount of undergraduate coursework and standardized tests, as well as an accredited certification program. New Jersey issues a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) to graduates of teacher preparation programs who meet all basic New Jersey licensing requirements. CEAS holders go through the Provisional Teacher Program, which involves a period of mentoring and assessment, before being issued a permanent Standard Certificate. Learn more through the State of New Jersey Department of Education Office of Certification & Induction about earning your New Jersey teaching credential.

Learn more about getting your teaching credential on Teach.com.

Discover an 8-week Online Teaching Short Course from Harvard’s Bok Center

Harvard University

Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning

info

Higher Education Teaching Certificate

Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.

infoSPONSORED

Alternative Certification in New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Education sponsors a state-run alternate route to teacher certification. Participants who meet requirements  are issued a Certificate of Eligibility, and then follow the pathway to become a certified teacher, which includes coursework, teaching, mentorship, and evaluation.. Additionally, alternative certification programs, such as Troops to Teachers, are an option. New Jersey participates in the Troops to Teachers program.

New Jersey Teacher Certification Information & Links

Transferring Your Certification

Certification Reciprocity in New Jersey

Interstate reciprocity is a program that allows teachers certified in one state to teach in another state. Visit the New Jersey Department of Education website to view their reciprocity policies. To find out which other state teaching licenses can be used in New Jersey, visit the Teach.com reciprocity page. Or, for more specific questions about your situation, contact the New Jersey Department of Education.

Jobs, Benefits, and Opportunities for Teachers in New Jersey

New Jersey Teaching Jobs

The average elementary school teacher in New Jersey makes around $72,000 to $76,000 per year, according to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. New Jersey is one of the highest paying states to teach in, although it does not provide any additional pay for teaching in high-demand districts or subjects. Detailed salary info can be found by using the annual New Jersey Taxpayers’ Guide to Spending or learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

Learn more about finding a teaching job on Teach.com.

New Jersey Teacher Salary and Incentives

The average elementary school teacher in New Jersey makes $69,623 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. New Jersey is one of the highest paying states to teach in, although it does not provide any additional pay for teaching in high-demand districts or subjects. Detailed salary info can be found by using the annual New Jersey Taxpayers’ Guide to Spending or learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

Learn more about teacher salaries on Teach.com.

New Jersey Teacher Benefits and Retirement

The New Jersey Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) provides full benefits to New Jersey public schools teachers who are at least 65 years old, although reduced benefits are available for younger members and the age is younger for many teachers who are enrolled in older benefit tiers. The TPAF website provides several fact sheets on specific aspects of membership. Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

Learn more about benefits for teachers on Teach.com.

New Jersey Teacher Shortage Areas

Teacher Shortage information was provided by the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listings for 2020-2021, and was determined by examining the most recent data about unfilled teaching positions; positions filled by teachers certified by irregular, provisional, temporary, or emergency certification; and teachers teaching in subject areas other than their area of preparation.

  • English as a Second Language
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Special Education
  • World Languages
  • Career and Technical Education

Financial Aid in New Jersey

New Jersey residents are eligible for the Applegate/Jackson/Parks Future Teacher Scholarship as well as the TEACH Grant, a grant that gives financial aid to students in return for an agreement to teach in a high-need field in a low-income area. Learn more about how to finance your Master’s degree on Teach.com.

Career Advancement

Professional Development for New Jersey Teachers

The Professional Development in New Jersey section of the New Jersey Department of Education website handles the professional development of teachers and administrators. The New Jersey Office of Professional Development has strong policies to place teachers in sustained professional learning to refine and expand their practice in order to help students perform at higher levels.

Benefits of a Master’s Degree in New Jersey

It is no longer enough to just have years of experience in teaching. After No Child Left Behind and other academic quantification measures, the careers of teachers increasingly depend on their results in the classroom. A master’s degree in the field of education can give you more educational theory and classroom skills, as well as more hands-on student teaching experience with a mentor.

After a master’s program, you may be able to achieve better results in the classroom and may have more job security and the potential for higher pay.

Learn more about the benefits of a Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education on Teach.com.

University of Southern California (USC)

USC Rossier School of Education

info

Master of Arts in Teaching online

The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) from the USC Rossier School of Education prepares aspiring teachers for diverse and high-needs educational settings and can be completed in as few as 12 months.

  • Fieldwork placement  
  • Complete in 12-36 months  
  • GRE scores not required 

Harvard University

Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning

info

Higher Education Teaching Certificate

Deepen your understanding of higher-order teaching practices and broaden your skill set while creating a unique and inclusive strategy for your specific context.

infoSPONSORED

Last Updated May 2020