Program overview

Designed for college graduates and career changers seeking initial teaching certification. Make a difference and become a professional educator with a Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification and continue on to earn your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree. You set the pace with full-time and part-time options that let you complete your education in under two years. 

12

certification programs to choose from

9

months to completion for full-time students

3

months of intensive clinical experience

Admission requirements

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Find your voice as a professional educator

You know you can have a brighter future with a meaningful career. You want a career you can customize to your talents and expertise. Rider’s MAT/Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program allows you to take the reins and follow your interests at your own pace. As a professional educator, you can positively change lives every day--starting with your own.

View the MAT-PBTC Handbook (PDF)

Available in two fast-paced formats

The initial teacher certification is available in two fast-paced formats so you can pick the structure that works best for your schedule.

Part-Time Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program

The part-time Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program is designed for college graduates who seek initial teacher certification and take one or two late afternoon/evening courses per semester. The clinical experience (student teaching and seminar) at the end of the program requires full-time enrollment for one semester. This streamlined and sequential program of professional teacher preparation studies combines theory, research, field experience and practice. The part-time certification program may be completed across three semesters (excluding summer).

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Clinical experience

Your studies are half the picture of becoming a teacher, but the other half is actually teaching. As a student in the Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification program, you’ll  integrate classroom field experiences and observations with research and theory to develop your own professional teaching dispositions and methods. Your program culminates in student teaching where you will be mentored by experienced educators as you work full-time with students.

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Marjorie O'Neill Headshot
Rider offers an amazing support system in all aspects of the program. The dean and professors are all experienced and incorporate real-world scenarios, as well as theory, into their teaching.
Marjorie O'Neill '19
Teaching (MAT)
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Program requirements

This 30-credit Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program offers candidates maximum flexibility. Candidates first earn their initial teaching certification (21 credits for most specializations) and may go on to complete the MAT by adding three additional courses at their convenience. In addition to earning the MAT degree, candidates may apply coursework and credits to other master's programs, endorsements and/or professional development certificates offered through the Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling. 

View Catalog

Tuition benefits for state employees

Rider University is proud to partner with The State of New Jersey and give back to educators by offering a tuition discount and additional benefits to eligible employees, as well as their immediate family members under the age of 24, for undergraduate or graduate study. Other partners include Lawrence Township Public Schools, West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District and Ewing Public Schools.  

 

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Next steps

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Contact

Kathleen Pierce, Ph.D.

Professor and Director, Master of Arts in Teaching and Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Programs

Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling

Bierenbaum Fisher Hall

kpierce [at] rider.edu

Academic Focus: Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Education

Education building with flowers in front of it.