The New Jersey Department of Education has full control over the certification process for special education teachers. To begin your application for a special education certification, you will have to submit a certification application and provide proof of your completion of all requirements.
The program is a combination of online and on-site courses. The online courses provide students with the opportunity to learn about special education teaching practices and strategies. Students who complete the online coursework will be eligible to take two on-site fieldwork courses that will provide hands-on experience in special education settings.
New Jersey’s Department of Education has a variety of ways to get certified to teach special education in the state, depending on your level of experience and your background.
If you have previous teaching experience, you need to apply for a Standard Certificate for Teachers of Students with Disabilities. If you have not taught previously, you’ll need to apply for an Initial Certificate for Teachers of Students with Disabilities.
We are thrilled to inform you that your application for New Jersey Special Education Certification is being processed and approved. We expect to have your certification processed within the next three weeks, at which point you will receive an official letter of approval.
The New Jersey Department of Education requires that all teachers have a standard certificate or a certificate of eligibility (CEAS) to teach in public schools. This includes special ed teachers. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and your teaching certificate in order to be hired.
Many states require that a teacher is specially certified to teach special education. This certification is often different from the standard teaching certification that you might be used to seeing—it’s possible to be an excellent teacher without this specialized certification, but it will limit your work options if you are not certified.
In New Jersey, there are two types of certifications available for special education teachers: the Standard Certificate and the Master’s Equivalency Certificate. Both certificates require successful completion of 24 credits in related coursework, proficiency in reading and math, and a passing score on the Praxis II Teaching Special Education exam. The difference lies in whether you have completed or plan to complete a master’s degree related to special education or not. If you already have your master’s degree, or are planning to pursue one in the future, you should get your Master’s Equivalency Certificate. If not, you can get your Standard Certificate instead.
Take note that this route will not be available to people who have earned their teacher certification outside of New Jersey. In this case, you will need to apply for reciprocity with the New Jersey Department of Education.
In New Jersey, the teaching of students with disabilities at the public school level is overseen by the Department of Education. To become a special education teacher in NJ, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. They must also pass exams required by the state to demonstrate knowledge of teaching methods and basic skills.
New Jersey requires that all teachers be certified by the State Board of Examiners. A candidate for certification must have completed a state-approved teacher preparation program, meet New Jersey’s academic requirements, and pass all necessary exams to earn their certificate.
This program is designed for educators who are already certified to teach in New Jersey and want to add a special education endorsement. Candidates will learn about the exceptionalities that students with disabilities may have. They will also learn pedagogical strategies and methods to best serve these students and help them to succeed in school.