Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality
Urban Teacher Residency Program
Kean University, in partnership with William Paterson University and Rowan University, is pleased to announce the Garden State Partnership
Urban Teacher Residency Program. We are seeking recent graduates and career changers who are eligible to teach Mathematics,
Science or Language Arts at the middle or high school level. Cohort III will begin coursework in January 2012. The Urban Teacher
Residency is a highly competitive grant program that will select five prospective teacher candidates per year for this 18 month program that
will culminate in dual certification and a Master’s degree in one of the following areas: Special Education, English as a Second Language
(ESL) or Bilingual/Bicultural Education.
A full-time commitment is required during the year of residency in a Jersey City middle or high school. Each resident will receive a living
stipend of $30,000* during the yearlong residency (4 days per week in an Urban Professional Development School).
*Candidates are responsible for tuition and fees associated with the Master’s degree program. You may be eligible for partial financial
support including the TEACH Grant: http://www.kean.edu/sfs/fa_home.html.
The following are the minimum requirements for program consideration:
*** THIS PROGRAM IS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT COMPLETED A TRADITIONAL TEACHER EDUCATION
PROGRAM/STUDENT TEACHING (i.e. recent graduates with non-education majors and/or career changers) ***
1. Earned BA/BS Degree from an accredited college of university with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75:
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For prospective Middle School (K-5/5-8) Educators- requires 60 credits in the liberal arts and sciences and 15 credits in the subject
area to be taught.
For prospective Subject Matter (K-12) Educators - requires 30 credits in the subject area to be taught; 12 credits must be a level 300
or 400 level.
2. Passing Praxis II scores or proof of registration for an early summer Praxis II Test (To start in January 2012):
For the appropriate Praxis for your area of certification, click here: http://www.ets.org/praxis/nj/requirements
3. Strong desire to teach in an urban school:
You must be willing to sign an "Agreement to Serve" stating your commitment to teach in an urban district for at least 3 years following
the residency.
4. Attain a minimum Verbal Score of 450 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or a minimum score of 388 on the Miller Analogies
Test (MAT). Candidates will not be considered if they do not currently possess GRE/MAT scores.
5. Completion of the course: “An Introduction to the Teaching Profession: A 24 Hour Pre-service Program”. This is a Department of
Education Service Requirement. For a complete list of approved sites, visit this website:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/advisories/applicant.htm
6. For Candidates Interested in the Bilingual or ESL M.A. Program ONLY: You will need to take the following language proficiency tests:
Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). ESL - Both tests must be taken in English (a total of two tests).
Bilingual - Both tests must be taken in English and a second language (a total of four tests).
If you meet the above eligibility requirements, please send the following documents to Dr. Gail Hilliard-Nelson:
Candidate Application
A cover letter (250-500 words) outlining your reasons for applying and interest in urban education
A current resume reflecting all previous academic and work experiences
Official transcripts for all institutions of higher learning attended (sealed/signed across envelope flap)
Two professional letters of reference, one of which must be from a professor or other person who can attest to your academic
abilities
Proof of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Exam(s).
Copy of GRE or MAT Scores
Copy of the 24 Hour Pre-service Program Certificate of Completion
Candidates interested in the Bilingual M.A. program ONLY -- Oral Proficiency Interview and Writing Proficiency Test scores
Application Checklist
Submit your complete application in one envelope for Cohort III by June 30, 2011 to the Site Coordinator:
Dr. Gail Hilliard-Nelson
Kean University
Garden State Partnership for Teacher Quality
Hennings Hall 449
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
Questions?? For further information about the Garden State Partnership Urban Teacher Residency Program at Kean University and to
receive a Candidate Application, please contact Jasmine Hulin at jhulin@kean.edu or 908-737-3864.