Obtaining an Additional NJ Teaching Endorsement for Teaching Middle School
Currently, the NJ State Department of Education approves qualified elementary education candidates to receive additional endorsements for teaching in middle school subject areas, which is titled “Middle School with Subject Matter Specialization Grades 5-8″.
Candidates who are applying for, or already hold, NJ elementary or a subject area teacher certification are eligible for one or more of the following endorsements (English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) based upon completion of the following:
- NJ Elementary or subject area teacher certificate.
- Pass or Flex scores on the appropriate Praxis exam(s).
- Completion of 15 credits on an accredited college transcript in the appropriate subject area.
- Complete ONE COURSE in the “characteristics of young adolescents”.
TCNJ can nominate candidates for a middle school endorsement when nominating them for an Elementary education or subject area certification. Candidates must stipulate this on the Certification application and provide PRAXIS II report. Alternatively, candidates can apply for this endorsement on-line through the Certification Office portal at a later date.
For specific requirements, see NJDOE Middle School Endorsement Specifications. If you receive a K-12 Certification you do not need a Middle School endorsement in that same content area. If you are interested in multiple Middle School endorsement areas, you may want to pursue the Middle School endorsement in Humanities (ELA and Social Studies) or STEM (Math and Science). While these require passing both content area’s PRAXIS II tests, you only need to complete 15 credits in one of these areas to receive endorsement which will entitle you to teach in both content areas.
Please note that additional endorsements are valid only in New Jersey, and are not recognized in any other State, as the credential is not based upon completion of an approved program in the subject area for middle school teaching.