Peter Sammartino School of Education

The Peter Sammartino School of Education prepares our students to be highly qualified effective teachers and educational leaders. We offer a wide variety of exceptional programs including an accelerated 5-Year QUEST program for undergraduates leading to a Master of Arts degree; a post-baccalaureate  Master of Arts for Teachers for those who desire initial teaching certification; an Educational Leadership program for those who desire to work in administration; an Ed.D. in Higher Education for leaders in higher education; and many programs for certified teachers who wish to pursue professional opportunities in literacy, special education, ESL and instructional technology.

The School of Education is located on the Metro Campus in Teaneck, on the Florham Campus in Madison, and offers graduate coursework online.

Fairleigh Dickinson University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The programs listed below have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through December 31, 2032. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

AAQEP-Accredited Programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University

Initial Teacher Certification Program – Master of Arts in Teaching:

• QUEST, Post-Bac Traditional Route, and Post-Bac Alternate Route Programs leading to licensure in Early Childhood P-3, Elementary K-6, ESL, English, Social Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Math, Art, Physical Science, Physics, and World Language

Advanced Credential Program:

• Teacher of Students with Disabilities
• Early Childhood P-3
• English as a Second Language (ESL)
• Bilingual
• Reading Specialist
• Early Literacy Specialist
• Educational Leadership (including Supervisor, Principal, and School Administrator – Superintendent)
• Bilingual Paraprofessional
• Middle School Endorsement (including English, Math, Science, and Social Studies)

National Accreditation

The following New Jersey Department of Education certification programs in the Peter Sammartino School of Education are nationally accredited through CAEP (formerly Teacher Education Accreditation Council or TEAC) through Spring 2027.

• QUEST: Early Childhood (P-3), Elementary Education, Secondary Education, English as a Second Language, Dual Certificate with Special Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Early Childhood (P-3), Elementary Education, Secondary Education, English as a Second Language, Dual Certificate with Special Education
• Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD)
• Educational Leadership Program
• Literacy/Reading Specialist

The School of Education’s Teacher Preparation program and its Educational Leadership program were granted full accreditation from CAEP (formerly Teacher Education Accreditation Council or TEAC) in 2020, effective through Spring 2027. Click here to view the accreditation letter.

Professional Educator Certification in NJ and other states

The teacher preparation and professional education programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s School of Education meet the educational requirements for teacher certification or professional licensure in the State of New Jersey. The programs at Fairleigh Dickinson University may not meet all of the education requirements for license or certification in another state. Information for other states is listed for each program below.

• Teacher Preparation
• Principal, Supervisor, and Superintendent Preparation
• Educational Services Preparation
• School Psychologist Preparation