Elementary Inclusive Education (K–6)  

Because elementary school teachers must have a broad academic background and a practical understanding of the elementary school curriculum, you are required to take two majors — one in education and the other in a different subject — along with a broad range of College Core courses.

In your first year as an elementary education major, you will take College Core courses and courses in your second major. You will also be introduced to inclusive education with foundation courses in special education and English as a second language.

Beginning in your sophomore year, you will take elementary education courses that let you observe and participate in elementary classrooms in rural, suburban, and urban contexts. During these courses, you’ll learn about child and adolescent development while acquiring skills in teaching math, science, and literacy. In your junior year, you will take advanced pedagogy courses in literacy, social studies/multicultural education, and integrated learning. Finally, as a senior, you will teach in an elementary school under the guidance of a classroom teacher and conduct an inquiry project related to your student teaching experience in conjunction with the senior capstone course.

Elementary education majors with a second major in a content discipline (biology, English, history, iSTEM, or math) may also seek endorsement for middle school certification upon completion of all program requirements and after passing the associated Praxis II Content Knowledge exam(s) for the middle school content area.

The student teaching experience enables you to participate in a full semester of supervised classroom teaching. TCNJ students are generally placed at schools that participate in the college’s Professional Development School Network and are located within a 30- to 35-mile radius of campus.

You can also participate in the Global Student Teaching program during the fall or spring semester of your senior year. Global placements are available in locations such as South Africa, Spain, Croatia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Holland, and Thailand. (Please contact the Support for Teacher Education Programs office for a current list of countries and opportunities). The Global Student Teaching program is jointly supervised by faculty from TCNJ and the host institution; you will spend seven weeks at an American school abroad and finish your semester at a local elementary school in New Jersey.

This program integrates liberal arts study, education theory and practice, and extensive fieldwork, including a semester of supervised classroom teaching. You’ll receive guidance from faculty advisers, ensuring excellent support.

You’ll benefit from working closely with our highly qualified elementary education faculty, who draw from active research and substantial professional achievements.

Study alongside talented peers with solid education experience, learn from elementary education faculty with valuable contacts in their field, and benefit from a robust alumni community that has strong professional connections and is enthusiastic about supporting students.