The College of New Jersey

Programme overview

This accelerated 4+1 pathway leads to a bachelor’s degree after four years and continues through the following summer and academic year to award a master’s and applicable New Jersey teaching certifications. The program integrates liberal arts study with specialized deaf education training and extensive supervised fieldwork, preparing candidates to teach K–6 and to serve as teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing in either oral/aural or sign language communication.

What you'll study

The curriculum combines a dual major in a liberal-arts content area plus deaf education. Students select one approved content area from twelve options (African American studies; art; biology; English; history; integrative STEM education; mathematics; music; psychology; sociology; Spanish; or women’s, gender, and sexuality studies). Coursework emphasizes education theory and practice, the creative arts, and state and national standards such as the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, Common Core, and Next Generation Science Standards. Experiential components include early field experiences and a semester of supervised classroom teaching.

Entry requirements

The program is intended for students entering from high school as first-time freshmen and for transfer students from community colleges or other four-year institutions. Students pursue a dual major in a liberal-arts area alongside deaf education to complete the accelerated sequence.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared to teach across diverse settings and school types. Upon completion they can qualify for New Jersey certification in elementary education (K–6) and as a teacher of the deaf or hard of hearing in both oral/aural and sign language communication. If the liberal-arts major is a teachable subject, students can also pursue specialization to teach that subject in grades 6–8 and 9–12.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Students may explore institutional scholarships, departmental support, and external funding for teacher-education candidates; accelerated pathways can reduce total semesters of study, potentially lowering overall tuition costs. Prospective applicants should contact the college’s admissions and financial aid offices for specific opportunities.