COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

The Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality
Urban Teacher Residency Program

Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality

Teachers who already hold current teaching certifications are not eligible for this initial licensure program.

The Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality Urban Teacher Residency Program will improve the academic achievement of K-12 students in high-needs, urban schools through the recruitment, preparation and retention of highly qualified teachers in New Jersey.

PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The candidates selected for this 18 month program* will:
Academic Accomplishments

  • Complete a Master’s degree in Education (M.Ed.) in Special Education with a concentration in Teachers of Students with Disabilities 

or 

  • Complete a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Learning with a concentration in Bilingual/ESL Education.

Licensure Accomplishments

  • Earn an initial NJ teaching license in subject-matter (K-12) or elementary (K-5) education.
  • Earn an endorsement in: Special Education, Bilingual Education or English as a Second Language (ESL).
  • K-5 candidates who are eligible may also complete a middle school endorsement.
  • Complete eight online-learning modules that support the requirements for Elementary or Secondary, Subject Matter Education certification under the NJDOE licensure code.

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    Teaching Experience

  • Intern for one year, four days weekly in a high-needs, urban Professional Development School.  Urban Teacher Residents (UTRs) receive a cost of living stipend of $30,000.  UTRs must sign an “Agreement to Serve” indicating their commitment to teach in a high-needs school for three years after completing the program.

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    * Additional requirements apply.

     

    ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

    The following are minimum requirements for consideration for the program:

    • Earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale from all earned degrees, including:
      • For prospective Elementary (K-5) Educators: 60 semester hours of liberal arts and sciences credits or
      • For prospective Secondary, Subject-Matter (K-12) Educators: a degree or a 30 semester-hour, coherent sequence in the subject area in which you desire to teach (12 of which must be at the 300-500 level).
    • Passing Praxis II scores for initial teacher licensure (Elementary or Secondary, Subject Matter)
    • Minimum verbal score of 450 on the GRE or a minimum score of 388 on MAT.  Candidates will not be considered if they do not currently possess MAT/GRE scores.
    • The desire to teach in an urban school.


    APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

    If you meet these requirements, please submit via mail an application package including:

    • Signed application
    • Two, official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended. (Unofficial or opened transcripts will not be accepted.)
    • A 250-500 word essay that describes your philosophy of education, interest in working in high-needs schools and reasons for applying to the GSPTQ Urban Teacher Residency Program.
    • A current resume reflecting all previous academic and work experience.
    • Two professional letters of recommendation, with at least one letter from a professor or other person who can attest to your academic abilities.
    • Copies of Praxis II scores and GRE or MAT scores.

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    • William Paterson University must be listed as score recipients and must receive official Praxis II and GRE or MAT scores.
    • Eligible candidates will be interviewed by the GSPTQ interview team.

      • Send all documents to:

      LaRhonda Oliver
      Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality
      c/o William Paterson University
      1600 Valley Road, VR 3016
      Wayne, NJ 07470 

      Financial aid information is available at:
      http://www.wpunj.edu/financial-aid/

      If you have any questions or require further information concerning the Garden State Partnership Urban Teacher Residency Program at William Paterson University, please e-mail us at gardenstate@wpunj.edu or call David Ferrier at 973-720-6214.

      Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality is fully funded by the USDOE Teacher Quality Partnerships grant, Award No. U336S090122-12.