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. This unique program provides students the opportunity to 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 in English as a Second Language. Secondary certification generally matches the candidate’s content major.  All tracks result in the B.A. or B.S. degree in a liberal arts/science major with graduate-level advanced coursework toward a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree.

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

Admission to QUEST for Fall

As a Freshman

  • 3.0 high school GPA
  • Enrollment in WRIT 1002 (Composition I)

As a Sophomore

  • 3.0 university GPA
  • Completion of WRIT 1002 (Composition I)
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA required for certification

Degree Plan

  • General Education Requirements – as per University Requirements
  • Major Requirements – as per the requirements for the specific major
  • QUEST (EDUC) Requirements – common/foundation courses are listed below.  Specific track requirements are listed on the program page.

Year 1

  • EDUC1108   Seminar in Professional Practice I
  • EDUC2401    Field Experience I

Year 2

  • EDUC2209   Seminar in Professional Practice II
  • EDUC2402   Field Experience II
  • EDUC3309   Seminar in Professional Practice III

Tracks

NOTE: Both campuses currently offer the Dual Certification (Elementary and Special Education) program for all Elementary majors. The Dual Certification program requires 6 more total credits than the Elementary Certification program. For details on this program, the students should meet with the Director of the QUEST Program.

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