QUEST Teacher Preparation Program – An Accelerated, Combined Degree (BA/BS-MAT)

The QUEST Program has received widespread recognition for its five-year combined (BA/BS-MAT) degree design.  QUEST students  pursue professional studies for teacher preparation, leading to state teacher licensure, while earning a bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts or science major and a Master’s of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree.

The program is open to students who wish to be certified to teach at the early childhood, elementary, or secondary school level, or  English as a Second Language. .

Candidates may also earn a second certification in special education through the QUEST dual certification program.  The Dual Certification Program must be started no later than the sophomore (2nd) year of the QUEST Program.

As future teachers who will be responsible for preparing future generations to live and work in a global society and economy, QUEST students explore diversity through their formal studies, projects, and field-based (clinical) experiences in a wide range of school and community settings. Throughout the curriculum, they are exposed to and examine issues related to diversity in language, culture, race, ethnicity, lifestyles, and other mitigating factors that contribute to student learning and success. Candidates explore their own values, attitudes, and behaviors, and consider the implications for their role as teachers.

Program Claims

The QUEST Program produces teaching candidates who are:

  • Qualified to teach subject matter
  • Competent in pedagogy
  • Caring professionals
  • Technologically proficient
  • Culturally responsive to the needs of diverse learners
  • Reflective practitioners who embrace the concept of lifelong learning
  • Prepared to move from undergraduate courses in education into the MAT graduate level courses in education
  • Prepared to obtain their instructional certification from the New Jersey Department of Education

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:

QUEST Tracks

Career Outcomes

National projections show a need for more than 2 million teachers in the next decade in all grades and subject areas — particularly in the northern and mid-Atlantic regions. The greatest need will be for those teachers with certification in high-demand areas (i.e. special education, world languages, science and mathematics) and those with dual certification (elementary or secondary education certification with a second certificate in areas such as special education, world languages, early childhood, English as a Second Language and bilingual education. Candidates in the QUEST Program will prepare for careers as classroom teachers with the potential to specialize further as guidance counselors, subject area supervisors, school or district administrators, subject area specialists, or child study team members

Recognition and Honors

  • The QUEST Program is accredited by CAEP, the national accrediting body for education provider programs that meet high standards of quality and rigor.
  • Our students have won the New Jersey Distinguished Student Teacher Award.
  • Our graduates are teaching in public, private, charter, and parochial schools in more than 22 states. Our graduates also teach in military schools overseas.
  • Each year, we send a cohort of students to FDU’s Wroxton, England, campus to complete an international field experience in local English partner schools.
  • Many of our QUEST students are outstanding student-athletes participating in bowling, basketball, soccer, and baseball who maintain a 3.0 GPA and higher.
  • Our QUEST students have an active student chapter of the NJEA and hold NJ State officer positions. They are actively involved in community service and tutoring.
Accreditation
Contact Information
Dr. Melissa Smith
m.smith1@fdu.edu