Office of the Dean

Thank you for visiting William Paterson University’s College of Education website.

Our College offers an extensive array of degree and certificate programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to students with a variety of interests and career goals. We prize the diversity of our students, faculty and staff. And we welcome the opportunity to provide an academic home to all students, including first-generation college students and those from families who have recently immigrated to the United States. We are committed to increasing the diversity of the teacher workforce and preparing teachers to serve all students, including those with disabilities at all grade levels and degrees of severity.

Our Programs

William Paterson University’s College of Education is a place where opportunity meets excellence. We are proudly accredited based on NCATE standards, now served by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Our counseling programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

We offer bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood (P-3) Education, Elementary Education (K-6), and Secondary Education (Subject Specific K-12), with many offering additional options for licensure in Teacher of Students with Disabilities, Middle School Subjects (5-8), Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language (ESL).

Those who already hold bachelor’s degrees and seek initial teacher certification can pursue Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs in Elementary or Secondary Education (traditional and alternate route) or the P-3 (Early Childhood) Alternate Route program.

Certified teachers can pursue additional licensure and/or preparation through master’s degrees or certificate programs in Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TSD) (online and alternate route options available), Bilingual Education, ESL, Reading Specialist, Principal, Supervisor, Learning Disabilities Teacher-Consultant (LDT-C), School Library Media (alternate route and online options available), Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Significant Disabilities, and Middle School Math.

Licensure as an Associate Counselor or School Counselor can be pursued through the MEd in Professional Counseling. The School Nurse program options provide opportunities for certification and master’s degree obtainment. Those wishing to pursue positions of administration in universities, colleges, and community colleges will find preparation through the MA in Higher Education Administration.

Beyond the Classroom

William Paterson’s College of Education is unique in its commitment to serving the varied communities of Passaic County in which the University resides, and the communities in neighboring Bergen County. Our Professional Development Schools Network (PDSN) is a partnership that shares research, resources and innovative practices to optimize learning for all. Over 50 K-12 schools have Professors-in-Residence on site at least one day per week providing guidance, resources and support to teachers and school administrators. Professional development workshops and conferences are provided for participating network schools. Being part of William Paterson’s PDSN is a badge of honor worn by innovative principals, school leaders, and teachers who possess unparalleled dedication to the academic development of young people in our area.

The College of Education’s Reading Clinic offers comprehensive assessment and tutoring for K-12 students from area districts by certified classroom teachers and/or reading specialists. Similarly, our Center for Math Success is an academic clinic for local students in grades 2-11 who are having difficulty learning mathematics in school. Both of these clinics provide hands-on, supervised training for MEd students while providing a valued service to the community.

We invite you to learn more about William Paterson’s College of Education, its degree and certificate programs, and the faculty by exploring this website. For additional information, do not hesitate to contact any of the administrators, faculty or staff listed on this site. In addition, please feel free to reach out directly to me at ginsberga3@wpunj.edu.

Wishing you a personally and professionally fulfilling academic journey,

Amy Ginsberg, Dean