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Our programs prepare you for careers in special education including Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) or Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C), as well as a variety of jobs in disability services. Our professional counseling programs lead to careers as clinical mental health or school professional counselors.
Meet What's Next: Master's in Professional Counseling - School Counseling concentration
Meet What's Next: Master's in Professional Counseling - Clinical Mental Health Concentration
Alumni in education are employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average Starting Salaries in Special Education, Professional Counseling, and Disability Studies (NACE)
Noteworthy Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries with 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
This 36-credit degree program is designed to be both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, drawing from multiple disciplines and frames of reference in order for students to view issues of disability through their own experiences and potential career interests. Core requirements for the BA include courses from Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology, and Public Health. The multidisciplinary electives include courses from Disability Studies, Anthropology, Kinesiology, Public Health, Psychology, and Sociology.
Courses are being offered in multiple formats including fully online/hybrid/in-person in order to accommodate the needs of many different students.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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Disability is one category of diversity and identify that permeates race, gender, age, and socioeconomic groups. Disability has always been a natural part of the human experience, but individuals with disabilities continue to be marginalized and oppressed, and are traditionally not included in other efforts to increase diversity in society. The goal of the program is for students to proactively explore the nature and meaning of disability as a social construct instead of as a medical deficit, and to explore laws, policies, cultures, and history as a way to de-stigmatize disease, illness, and impairment across all areas of society.
This minor is for students majoring in elementary or secondary education who seek to obtain a NJ special education endorsement (Teacher of Students with Disabilities). This minor requires 19 credits of coursework taken over four semesters. The coursework includes a full semester of practicum, working in a school setting with students with disabilities.
In this program, students will gain an understanding of the eight core curriculum areas as delineated by CACREP and the State of New Jersey. They will also be educated on how to provide competent and effective direct services to clients/students across the life span in clinical mental health and school settings, as well as how to develop a broad understanding of multicultural issues and to advocate for and meet the needs of clients/students from diverse backgrounds. More info »
This program provides current advanced information on educational research, service delivery, trends, community services, societal attitudes, technical developments, and instructional strategies and practices for the education of persons with disabilities. The program's varied offerings allow teachers, learning consultants, supervisors, and other personnel within and outside special education to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to serve the disabled in a variety of settings. Upon successful completion of the required curriculum and documented three years of teaching experience, the candidate is eligible for the New Jersey certificate as a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C). More info »
Learning Disabilities Concentration with Teacher Consultant Certificate: this program's varied offerings allow teachers, learning consultants, supervisors, and other personnel within and outside special education to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to serve the disabled in a variety of settings. This program is offered online only with synchronous and asynchronous delivery. More Info »
This program is intended for candidates who want to be certified as Directors of School Counseling Services in New Jersey PK-12 school districts. The Director of School Counseling Services endorsement authorizes the holder to serve as a director, administrator or supervisor of school counseling services, including the supervision of educational activities in areas related to and within the counseling program in grades PK-12. More info »
This endorsement program is designed for experienced classroom teachers who hold a teaching certificate and an accredited master's degree. Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, the candidate is eligible for the New Jersey certificate as a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C). This certification is not a teaching certification, but a certificate to serve as the LDT-C on the child study team in New Jersey schools. Upon successful completion of the required curriculum and documented three years of teaching experience, the candidate is eligible for the New Jersey certificate as a Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C). More info »
William Paterson University’s Professional Counseling Program offers the Student Assistance Coordinator certification program to qualified students. The Student Assistance Coordinator (SAC) endorsement program is intended for candidates who want to be certified as student assistance coordinators in New Jersey PK-12 school districts. SACs work with students regarding substance abuse related issues, social and emotional issues, behavioral issues, and crisis intervention and response. SACs’ additional responsibilities include examining curriculum development, staff training, policy review, counseling and related services, community relationships and consultation, and implementation of other interventions needed to support students.
Students who complete the course requirements will be eligible for endorsement as a Student Assistance Coordinator with Advanced Standing in New Jersey. Endorsements with advanced standing (CEAS) verify all academic requirements have been met, but require an additional residency with a state approved school district while under mentorship for a minimum of 6 six months. Applicants submit all verification of completed residency to NJDOE for final review and eligibility. Click for full student assistance coordinator endorsement information.
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We prepare students for the high standards of performance expected within contemporary school systems and agencies. The College of Education is located in the state-of-the-art building at 1600 Valley Road, providing access to specialized facilities for teaching and learning. It includes a model classroom designed for study and demonstration of optimum teaching methods, as well as an assistive technology classroom equipped with the latest tools designed to provide curriculum access to persons with disabilities.
Teacher preparation programs in the College of Education are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and student outcomes are aligned with the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) and New Jersey professional standards for teachers. This ensures that our candidates gain in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for teachers.
Our graduates work as special education teachers, rehabilitation counselors, social service professionals, case managers, direct support professionals, social workers, and behavioral support specialists, school counselors, and clinical mental health counselors, among others.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
Disability Studies and Psychology, direct support professional at Bethesda Lutheran Communities, a non-profit human service organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through faith-based programs.
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
