Postbac Certification: Early Childhood (P-3)
Teachers of young children must be proficient in research-based best practices that support quality teaching and learning. Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Education (SOE) offers a preparation program that addresses the needs of two categories of graduate students:
- Students seeking their initial (first) teacher licensure
- Students who are already certified to teach and adding a P-3 endorsement
P-3 Initial Licensure and MAT
The P-3 MAT program is 33 credit hours. This program includes all coursework and clinical requirements for teacher licensure.
Coursework, Traditional or Alternate Route
- EDUC 6835 Effective Teaching, Effective Schools
- EDUC 6855 Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood
- EDUC 6818 Language and Literacy I
- EDUC 6839 Literacy and Play in the Inclusive Early Childhood Setting
- EDUC 6821 Elementary Math Content & Pedagogy I
- EDUC 6797 Multisensory Math
- EDUC 6740 Intro to Students with Disabilities
- EDUC 6931 Diversity, Equity, and Justice in Schools
- EDUC 5501 Educational Technology
- Choose 1 Diversity Elective: EDUC 5510/EDUC5511/EDUC5512/EDUC5513
- Child Development: EDUC 6581 or credit from prior degree
Coursework, Alt Route only
Choose 1 Technology Elective: EDUC 5502 or EDUC5503
Traditional Route Field/Clinical Courses
- EDUC 6824 MAT Field I
- EDUC 6828 MAT Field II
- EDUC 6583 Advanced Clinical Practice
- EDUC 6575 Apprenticeship Teaching
Alternate Route Clinical Courses
- EDUC 6571 Clinical I
- EDUC6572 Clinical II
- EDUC 6921 Clinical III
- EDUC 6923 Clinical IV
Candidates must pass the required Praxis II exam in their license area.
Click here to view general information about MAT including admissions requirements.
P-3 Endorsement for Certified Teachers
Starting Fall 2025, New Jersey teachers seeking the P-3 endorsement need to complete a 30-credit hour program including at least 12 credits in literacy content and pedagogy, and at least 6 credits in math content and pedagogy.
- EDUC 6855 Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood
- EDUC 6818 Language and Literacy I
- EDUC 6819 Language and Literacy II
- EDUC 6839 Literacy and Play in the Inclusive Early Childhood Setting
- EDUC 6821 Elementary Math Content & Pedagogy I
- EDUC 6797 Multisensory Math
- EDUC 6740 Intro to Students with Disabilities9 Graduate Electives
Candidates must pass the required Praxis II exam for their license area.
NOTE: Certification requirements often change. For the most up-to-date information about requirements, please visit the New Jersey Department of Education website at http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/
P-3 Endorsement candidates may be interested in continuing their studies to earn a Masters of Arts for Certified Teachers, a 36-credit program.