FDU QUEST Program

FDU’s QUEST (QUality in Education, Schools and Teaching) Program offers an accelerated, 5-year combined degree design. Candidates major in liberal arts or science content area with a QUEST concentration. The BA or BS degree will be completed at the end of four years. The MAT degree is completed in the 5th year. Fifteen graduate credits count towards both degrees.

In the QUEST Program, Education is a concentration added to a content area major. QUEST students may major in a variety of different areas including:

Florham Campus

  • Art
  • Biology
  • Humanities
  • Psychology
  • Social Science (History and Politics)

Metropolitan Campus

  • Art
  • Humanities
  • Biology
  • Math
  • Psychology
  • Science
  • Social Science (History and Politics)

All P-3 and K-6 candidates choose dual certification in either special education or English as a second language. Secondary candidates have the option to pursue dual certification.

Getting Started with QUEST

  1. Talk with major advisor and QUEST Director about career and academic plans
  2. Take EDUC1108 no later than fall of sophomore year
  3. Take the following classes before the end of sophomore year:
    1. EDUC1108 Seminar I
    2. EDUC2209 Seminar II (fall only)
    3. EDUC3309 Seminar III (spring only)
    4. EDUC2401 Field I (January after EDUC1108)
    5. EDUC2402 (January after EDUC2209)
    6. TSD dual certification students will also take EDUC2207 and EDUC2208

Eligibility for Graduate Education Courses and Matriculation Into the QUEST program

Graduate level coursework begins fall of junior year. To be eligible to continue to this stage of the program, all candidates need to meet the following requirements:

  • 3.0 cumulative GPA; at least 45 credits completed
  • Grades of B- or higher in the following general education/introductory classes:

Program Policies

  • Candidates in the QUEST program must major in a liberal arts/science discipline.
  • All early childhood and elementary candidates must choose a dual certification pathway: English as a second language or special education.
  • Candidates in the QUEST program must satisfy all general education requirements, and specific departmental requirements for their liberal arts/science major in order to be eligible for a B.A. or B.S. degree in their area of specialization. They must also complete the requirements for the School of Education. 
  • New Jersey teacher certification requires that 6 credits be taken in behavioral sciences (sociology, anthropology, or psychology); and 3 credits be taken in biology, physiology, or health. The courses also may be taken to satisfy college core (general education) requirements, the liberal arts /science required courses or electives.
  • The State of NJ requires two (2) semesters of student teaching: the first semester is part-time and is called Advanced Clinical Practice; the second semester is full-time and is called Apprenticeship Teaching. Upon completion of the Apprenticeship Teaching and all required EDUC courses, students will have met the eligibility requirements for teacher certification.
  • Students are required to pass the appropriate Praxis II licensure exam before student teaching.
  • In order to maintain good academic standing and eligibility for licensure, 3.0 GPA must be maintained throughout the program.
  • To complete the Master of Arts in Teaching degree in five years, students may need to take summer and/or winter courses, depending upon their particular liberal arts/science program requirements.
Contact Information
Melissa Smith, QUEST Program Director
m.smith1@fdu.edu