Full-Time Teacher Certification Program

The full-time option consists of 21-24 credits and may be started only in the fall. Students take four or five courses (12-15 credits) in the fall semester, while getting hands-on experience in a school setting.

During a typical week, students spend three days at their assigned school site, and one day, as well as several late afternoons/evenings at Rider taking their courses. Most courses are offered in a hybrid format, with both in-person and synchronous remote meetings. In the spring, students participate in a full semester of student teaching (nine credits) and take a corresponding teaching seminar course.

The part-time program consists of 21-24 credits and may be started in either the spring or the fall. Students take two or three courses in their first two semesters (12-15 credits) and have a full semester of student teaching. For the third and final semester students participate in a full semester of student teaching (nine credits) and take a corresponding teaching seminar course.  Each course typically meets one time per week, from 4:30 - 7:10 p.m. Most courses are offered in a hybrid format, with both in-person and synchronous remote meetings.

Students in the part-time program will need to accumulate 175 hours of relevant experience working with student learning prior to their student teaching. Activities such as substitute teaching and tutoring can count toward this requirement.

Please submit the following to complete your application: 

• Online application for graduate study
• $50 non-refundable application fee 
• A personal statement (minimum 500 words) 
• Official transcripts from every college or university attended submitted directly from the institution showing evidence of a bachelor’s degree and a 2.75 minimum GPA
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• Official Praxis Core Academic Skills test and Subject/Grade Level Praxis II score for the certification you are seeking*
• Official OPI score for World Language candidates and Official OPI and WPT scores for ESL/Bilingual candidates*
• Current resume

Eligible applicants will also complete a personal interview by invitation of faculty.

*We can consider students who have not yet passed the Praxis II or OPI/WPT exams for conditional admission, but the Praxis Core, or suitable alternative score, is required for admission.

If your cumulative GPA is below our minimum requirement it may be possible to apply after taking additional coursework. You may submit a copy of your transcripts (for every college attended) and we will suggest potential options for you.

You can learn more about the Praxis exams and register for them on the ETS website. Also, if you have previously taken the SAT, GRE, ACT or PSST Basic Skills exam you may be eligible to waive the Praxis Core Skills test depending on your exam scores. Learn more

The OPI/WPT are offered through Language Testing International and a score of Advanced Low or higher is required. 

For the full-time post-baccalaureate program, applications are only accepted for the fall semester. The recommended deadline to apply is May 15. Our part-time program uses rolling admission and accepts students for fall and spring semesters. The recommended deadlines to apply for the part-time option are August 1 and December 1, respectively.

Tuition for all programs is $910 per credit. Students who are employed by one of our partner organizations may be eligible for a 20% tuition discount.

Rider’s post-baccalaureate teaching certification and alternate route certification programs can be pursued in conjunction with our Master of Arts in Teaching. Depending on the program and area of certification chosen, the graduate degree can be completed with 3-9 additional credits.

• Comprehensive Business (K–12)
• Dance (K-12)
• Early Childhood (P-3)
• Elementary (K–6)
• English as a Second Language/ESL (K-12)
• English (K–12)
• Mathematics (K–12)
• Music (K-12)
• Biological Science (K–12)
• Chemistry (K–12)
• Earth Sciences (K–12)
• Physical Science (K–12)
• Physics (K-12)
• Social Studies (K–12)
• Theater (K-12)
• World Languages: French (K–12)
• World Languages: Spanish (K–12)