Elementary school teachers shape the way children see themselves as learners — and that impact lasts a lifetime. GCU's M.A.T. in Elementary Education prepares you to become a New Jersey-certified K–6 teacher with a master's degree, a TOSD endorsement, and three semesters of part-time clinical experiences culminating in your final semester of full-time clinical practice.
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GCU's M.A.T. delivers two outcomes simultaneously: a Master of Arts in Teaching and a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) for elementary education (K–6). No extra time, no separate program. You graduate certified and master's-prepared.
Every GCU elementary M.A.T. graduate also earns a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) endorsement. Today's inclusive elementary classrooms require teachers who can serve learners across the full spectrum — and the TOSD endorsement signals to hiring principals that you're prepared to do exactly that. It's not optional. It's built in.
Your path to the classroom is structured, deliberate, and thorough. You'll complete 25 clinical hours in each of two special education courses, a 75-hour part-time practicum, and a 100-hour practicum — all before the 14-week full-time student teaching semester that closes the program. By graduation, you'll have more real classroom experience than many traditionally certified teachers.
Elementary teachers are responsible for teaching the "Big 4" subjects: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. GCU's curriculum reflects that reality: you'll develop expertise in foundational literacy instruction, literacy integration in social studies, math instruction and math difficulty remediation, assessment in special education, and inclusive curriculum planning — the complete skill set of an effective elementary classroom teacher.
GCU's M.A.T. is built for career changers — people who have a bachelor's degree in something other than education and want to become teachers. If your undergraduate background includes a liberal arts, science, interdisciplinary, or content-area major — or at least 30 semester credits in core content areas — you're likely eligible. Your advisor can confirm.
Georgian Court University Teacher Education (Initial-Licensure) and Advanced Level Programs are nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Elementary school teaching is one of the most demanding and most rewarding careers in education. Being responsible for the elementary education for 25 students, managing 25 children, managing the full range of learning needs in an inclusive classroom, and helping students develop the foundational skills that will define their academic lives — this is what elementary teachers do, every day. GCU’s M.A.T. prepares you for all of it.
The 39-credit program builds from the foundation up. You’ll begin with the ethics and history of American education, the principles of special education, and the fundamentals of effective instruction for elementary learners. From there, coursework develops your expertise in foundational literacy instruction, math instruction and math difficulty remediation, assessment in special education, and curriculum planning for students with disabilities — the complete toolkit of a skilled, inclusive elementary educator.
The clinical sequence is progressive by design. Foundations of Special Education and Assessment in Special Education both include 25 clinical hours apiece, giving you early, structured observations in inclusive and special education settings. EDC5209 Math Instruction in Elementary Education deepens that experience with a 75-hour part-time practicum. This course is followed by EDC5306 Assessing & Remediating Mathematical Difficulties with 100 hours of part-time clinical practice. And the program culminates in EDC6404 Elementary Education Clinical Practice — a 14-week full-time student teaching placement — where you take on the full responsibilities of an elementary classroom teacher under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and GCU faculty.
GCU’s director of field placement coordinates every student teaching assignment, working to find a school environment that fits your grade-level preference, community ties, and professional goals.
GCU’s M.A.T. in Elementary Education is a great fit if you:
Elementary teachers with TOSD endorsements are among the most consistently in-demand educators in New Jersey public schools.
| Entry Level (Step 1, MA Column) | NJ Median — Kindergarten & Elementary Teachers | Experienced (10+ Years) |
|---|---|---|
| $52,000–$62,000 | $76,920 | $90,000–$120,000+ |
All GCU M.A.T. graduates enter their first teaching position on the master’s (MA) salary column of their district’s guide — typically earning $3,000–$8,000 more per year than BA-column colleagues from their very first paycheck.
Job Outlook
Elementary school teacher positions are projected to generate approximately 139,600 job openings per year nationally, driven primarily by retirements and attrition. In New Jersey, dual endorsed K–6 / TOSD teachers are especially sought after as districts work to staff inclusive and self-contained special education classrooms in an ongoing shortage environment.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDC5110 | Ethics & Foundations of American Ed | 3.0 |
| SPE5030 | Foundations of Special Education 1 | 3.0 |
| EDC5130 | Essentials of Instruct. for Elem & Secon | 3.0 |
| EDC5242 | Foundational Literacy Instruction | 3.0 |
| SPE5032 | Assessment in Special Education 1 | 3.0 |
| EDC5209 | Math Instruct. in EC & ELEM Ed 2 | 3.0 |
| EDC5205 | Lit Integ in EC & Elem Social St | 3.0 |
| EDC5306 | Assess & Remediate Math Diffic 3 | 3.0 |
| SPE5031 | Literacy & Curriculum Planning | 3.0 |
| EDC5309 | Educ Refl & Eff Prac EL& Sec | 3.0 |
| EDC6404 | ELEM Ed Clinical Practice 4 | 9.0 |
| Total Credits | 39.0 | |
Requires 25 hours of clinical experience.
Requires 75 hours of clinical practice.
Requires 100 hours of clinical practice.
Requires 14 weeks of full-time clinical practice.
Contact Graduate Admissions at 732-987-2770 or [email protected]
Graduates of the Elementary Education M.A.T. will demonstrate:
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