College of Human Development, Culture, and Media
Seton Hall's M.A.E. in Elementary Teaching prepares future teachers for a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (Elementary K–6) while equipping them with research-based skills to assess and support student learning. As part of the College’s CAEP-accredited portfolio, the program offers academic rigor, professional relevance, and career readiness.
Designed for adult learners, the program begins annually in January and follows a flexible, accelerated format delivered through a combination of online, weekend, and hybrid courses.
A hallmark of the program is its two-semester clinical internship, which provides hands-on teaching experience aligned with InTasc and New Jersey teacher preparation standards. Weekly seminars and dedicated mentorship support students as they apply instructional strategies in real classrooms.
Seton Hall’s cohort-based approach fosters a strong learning community, while small class sizes and individualized advisement ensure a supportive and personalized educational experience. The curriculum emphasizes high-quality instruction in literacy, numeracy, science, and social studies, along with inclusive teaching practices and special education strategies.
Graduates may also choose to pursue endorsements via the New Jersey Deparment of Education in areas such as special education or TESOL through optional coursework following program completion.
Accreditation & Awards
"Preparing future educators is our passion, and their success our priority."
Admissions Requirements
The M.A.E. in Elementary Teaching program reviews applications on a rolling basis and accepts applicants for students to begin their studies in the Spring semester (typically beginning in mid-January).
Prospective applicants require the following to be accepted into the program:
- Earned bachelor’s degree
- Online Application
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Current professional vitae/resume
- Personal statement
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references familiar with your character, interests, and academic ability. For recommenders, consider individuals such as supervisors, colleagues, and faculty members.
- Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (or equivalent)
- A minimum of 30 liberal arts credits in the content areas of English, math, science, and social studies
- Passage of the Praxis II exam for Elementary Education (multiple subject #5001). This is required as this program includes a clinical practice requirement leading to a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing.
Deadlines
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Deadline to apply
December 15
Curriculum Overview
Graduates of the M.A.E. in Elementary Teaching program earn a Certificate of Eligiblity with Advanced Standing and are prepared for elementary classroom teaching positions (K–6) in a variety of public, private, and charter schools across New Jersey.
The program’s alignment with InTasc standards and New Jersey teacher certification requirements ensures that students are well-positioned for both state licensure and teaching employment.
Because of the program’s full-time student teaching placement in the spring semester — paired with supervised mentorship and weekly education seminars focused on instructional strategies and real classroom challenges — students graduate with the practical teaching skills, professional confidence, and classroom readiness needed to thrive as certified elementary school teachers.
For those seeking to expand their qualifications, the program offers the opportunity to pursue additional teaching certifications, such as Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) or TESOL, through supplemental coursework completed after graduation.
Although designed to meet New Jersey teacher certification standards, the program supports students in applying for certification in other states through reciprocal licensing agreements. The Office of Fieldwork and Certification assists with navigating out-of-state requirements and licensure processes.
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2
Semesters of Internship Experience
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36
Credits
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14
Miles from New York City
Become a Certified Elementary Teacher
Seton Hall’s M.A.E. in Elementary Teaching program prepares teachers to make a meaningful impact in schools and communities.
Career Opportunities
This M.A.E. in Elementary Teaching program prepares education professionals for teaching in elementary classrooms, K-6, throughout New Jersey. For qualified students, completion of the coursework, coupled with clinical experience and internship, provides a pathway to New Jersey state certification (Elementary Classroom Teacher).
Students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours for the M.A.E. degree. The culminating clinical internship takes place over two semesters (fall and spring of the one-year program). During the fall semester, students spend two full days a week in their clinical settings. During the spring semester, they spend five full days a week in the same classroom with their mentor teacher and students. Clinical supervision is provided through the college’s Office of Fieldwork and Certification. The seminar course provides a forum for students to discuss challenges, successes, and reflective growth throughout the full-time teaching semester.
In addition to the standards-based courses in elementary pedagogy, students take 6 credits in special education that may be applied, with additional coursework, to qualify for the Teacher of Students with Disabilities certification.
$62,752
Annual Average Salary for Elementary School Teachers in NJ (BLS)
9%
Above National Annual Average Salary (BLS)
1:1
Academic and Career Advising
Our Faculty and Students
Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education
Program Director Lauren McFadden also serves as the academic advisor for the Kappa
Delta Pi (KDP) Honor Society, which inspires and equips teachers to thrive.
Associate Professor Mary Mueller Wins President’s Award for Student Service
Assistant Professor Nicole Hansen Advances Disability Education Research with Grant
Scholarships & Financial Aid
Seton Hall University is committed to providing students with the most current information on how to finance your graduate degree. A graduate degree is within your reach – a variety of options can help you finance your degree including scholarships, federal aid, graduate assistantships, and more.
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50%
Amount Scholarships Can Reduce Cost of Degree
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the M.A.E. in Elementary Teaching program stand out from other teacher certification programs in New Jersey?
Seton Hall’s M.A.E. program offers a unique blend of flexibility, personalized support, and practical preparation that sets it apart:
- Offers a content-rich, standards-aligned curriculum that prepares students for New Jersey K–6 teacher certification in just over a year (late April through the following June).
- Includes a highly supported, two-semester clinical internship with weekly seminars and mentorship to build classroom confidence and real-world teaching skills.
- Provides ongoing support from full-time faculty and a consistent academic advisor throughout the program for personalized academic and career guidance.
- Serves as a foundation for long-term professional growth, with pathways to additional certifications in special education or TESOL and future roles in educational leadership.
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About Seton Hall
One of the country's leading Catholic Universities, Seton Hall University has been developing students in mind, heart and spirit since 1856.
Home to over 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students and offering more than 90 undergraduate programs and over 130 graduate programs, Seton Hall's academic excellence has been singled out for distinction by The Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Bloomberg Businessweek.
Seton Hall's 58-acre campus in the quaint town of South Orange, New Jersey, is only 14 miles from New York City — offering students a wealth of employment, internship, cultural and entertainment opportunities. The University’s nationally recognized School of Law is located in nearby Newark, New Jersey. The Interprofessional Health Sciences (IHS) campus in the owns of Clifton and Nutley, New Jersey, houses the University’s College of Nursing and School of Health and Medical Sciences.
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1856
Founded by James Roosevelt Bayley
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14
Miles from New York City
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90+
Career-Building Graduate Programs
