Navigating the Rutgers Undergraduate Education Major: A Comprehensive Guide

Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers a diverse range of undergraduate programs, each with its own unique requirements and opportunities. This article provides a detailed overview of the undergraduate education major at Rutgers, encompassing the various schools, programs, and requirements that prospective students should be aware of.

Rutgers-New Brunswick: A Multifaceted Academic Landscape

Undergraduate students at Rutgers-New Brunswick have the option to enroll in one of ten degree-granting undergraduate schools. These schools offer a wide array of academic programs, catering to diverse interests and career aspirations. The School of Arts and Sciences stands as the arts college, providing a broad foundation in the liberal arts. In addition to the School of Arts and Sciences, students can also apply to the School of Engineering, and the Rutgers Business School: Undergraduate-New Brunswick.

Four professional schools admit upper-division students from the School of Arts and Sciences: the School of Communication and Information, the School of Social Work, the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and the School of Management and Labor Relations. Each of these schools offers specialized programs designed to prepare students for specific careers.

Rutgers-New Brunswick is comprised of five campuses situated on both sides of the Raritan River. A free, campus-wide bus system connects these campuses, facilitating easy access to classes, resources, and activities across the university.

The Graduate School of Education (GSE): Shaping Future Educators

The Graduate School of Education (GSE) plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of educators. The GSE offers several 4+1 joint bachelor’s degree/master’s degree/initial teacher certification programs, providing a streamlined pathway for aspiring teachers to earn both a bachelor's and a master's degree in just five years.

The 4+1 Program: A Fast Track to Teaching

Rutgers undergraduates interested in the 4+1 program complete preliminary coursework during their first-year, sophomore, and junior years. Admission to the program occurs during the spring semester of their junior year, with the professional education sequence intensifying in the fall semester of their senior year. Upon completion of their undergraduate studies, students receive their baccalaureate degree from their undergraduate institution and continue with the professional sequence during the summer.

The fall semester of their graduate year involves a full-time clinical experience (student teaching) alongside related coursework. The program culminates in a final semester of graduate study, including a community-based experience tied to a course in the final spring semester. Upon successful completion of all five-year program requirements, the master of education degree is conferred. The GSE then nominates the student to the New Jersey Department of Education for a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing as a teacher.

GSE's Mission and Philosophy: Excellence, Equity, and Social Justice

The Graduate School of Education’s (GSE) Teacher Education Program is dedicated to cultivating teachers who are not only skilled in their craft but also deeply committed to excellence, equity, and social justice in their teaching practice. Recognizing New Jersey's unique diversity and urban character, the GSE aims to prepare teachers who can effectively serve students from historically marginalized linguistic, economic, and cultural backgrounds, as well as those in high-poverty districts or schools.

The GSE Teacher Education Programs strive to develop a diverse cohort of teachers who are well-versed in the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teachers and possess the skills and dispositions necessary to teach and advocate for all students. These teachers will learn to critically analyze the social politics of urban, rural, and suburban schools, using that analysis to advocate for their students, their families, and each other. They will also be equipped with the most effective instructional practices, grounded in a deep understanding of their students' needs and backgrounds.

GSE Teacher Candidates have the privilege of learning from some of the world's leading education faculty and gain invaluable real-world experience through partnerships with carefully selected mentor teachers in diverse communities across New Jersey.

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Ed.M. Programs: Specialized Areas of Study

The GSE offers over 50 concentrated areas of study leading to an Ed.M. degree. These programs provide students with opportunities for real-world practice while positioning them at the forefront of cutting-edge research in their chosen field. The blend of theory and practice, facilitated by world-class faculty and guided by the GSE’s commitment to equity and social justice, equips alumni with a holistic understanding of education and the specialized skills needed to excel in their careers.

To enroll in an Ed.M program, a bachelor’s degree is required or be on track to graduate before beginning, no other requirements(some require GREs, no minimum score).

Examples of Ed.M programs include: Adult & Continuing Education, College Student Affairs, Counseling Psychology, Dance Ed (non-certification), Education, Culture, & Society, Educational Leadership (non-certification option C), Educational Statistics, Measurement, & Evaluation, Language Education (non-certification), and Language Education Ed.M.

Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree Program: Focus on Urban Education

For those interested in becoming a teacher and making a direct impact on students' lives, the Graduate School of Education offers a combined five-year bachelor’s and master’s degree program with a focus on urban education. This program leads to licensure to teach in New Jersey Public Schools, preparing graduates to meet the needs of New Jersey’s diverse learners.

Navigating Your First Year: Course Selection and Academic Exploration

The first year of college is a crucial time for exploration and discovery. It's an opportunity to delve into fields of interest, enhance your understanding of yourself and the world, and solidify your academic and career goals. Rutgers encourages students to curate their own unique educational experience through a combination of major coursework, minor programs, and elective courses.

Recommended Course Load and Schedule Balance

Rutgers recommends that students register for approximately 15 credits each semester, with a maximum of 16 credits in their first semester. A well-balanced schedule should include coursework from a variety of subjects, allowing you to explore potential majors and minors, meet SAS Core Curriculum learning goals, and survey broader academic interests. The ultimate goal is to attain the required 120 degree credits for graduation.

Utilizing the Schedule of Classes

The Schedule of Classes is an invaluable resource for planning your course selections. It provides detailed information about the courses being offered in a particular semester. With thousands of courses available each semester at Rutgers, narrowing down your options can be overwhelming. Focusing on courses related to your potential major or minor is a helpful strategy.

To access the Schedule of Classes:

Select the current term, location "New Brunswick," and level "undergraduate."
In the Search By box, click the "search multiple subjects" link.

Students considering a particular discipline are encouraged to incorporate the study of a world language into their Rutgers degree.

When searching for courses, pay attention to the course level. In general, 100 and 200 level courses are appropriate for first-year students, while 300 and 400 level courses are often better suited for students with more familiarity with the subject.

The primary focus of your first semester should be on selecting appropriate courses, understanding the expectations and rigor of college, and identifying resources to help you succeed at Rutgers.

Field Placements

Placements in New Jersey Public Schools are integrated into the program, beginning in the first fall semester (senior year) on Friday afternoons, continuing in the first spring semester (senior year) on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the full day, and culminating in a full-time internship for the entirety of the second fall semester (master’s).

Core Requirements

Writing

All undergraduates must demonstrate proficiency in college-level writing. Credit received via an Advanced Placement Test are awarded degree credit for 01:355:101. Students may also need to complete additional work in composition. Students must continue to enroll in English 01:355:098, 100 or 101 until they successfully complete the course. English 01:355:098, 100, and 101 do not fulfill any other general education, major, or minor requirements.

Quantitative Skills

All undergraduates must complete one course in college-level mathematics. Courses taken in satisfaction of the quantitative skills requirement may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements. However, remedial courses such as 01:640:027 Elements of Algebra. will not be used to fulfill this requirement.

Additional Requirements

Requirements A, C, D, or E may be fulfilled with courses in fields such as psychology, or sociology. However, research courses may not be used to fulfill this requirement. Languages and literatures, or Spanish, may also fulfill these requirements.

A complete list of courses that fulfill requirements A, C, D, or E will be posted on the college web site.

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