Teacher of a Specific Subject (K–12) & Teacher of Students with Disabilities

This program prepares candidates to provide instruction in a single subject area in general, inclusive, and/or special education settings kindergarten through Grade 12. Most graduates become secondary school teachers of art, biology, business, chemistry, English, health and physical education, history, mathematics, or Spanish. The program leads to a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and eligibility for New Jersey certification in Teacher of a Specific Subject [art, biology, chemistry, English, health and physical education, social studies, mathematics, or Spanish] and Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD).

To earn this degree, you must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including your General Education requirements and the major requirements below.

Requirements include:

• Completion of prerequisite courses: Behavioral/Social Sciences: child and adolescent development (3) and educational psychology (3);
• Completion of all BRIDGE General Education program requirements;
• Completion of a major (biology, business, chemistry, English, exercise science, history, mathematics, Spanish, or visual art) in the area of anticipated certification including not less than 12 credits at the 300 and 400 level. Note: Additional NJDOE requirements apply to specific majors. (Social studies requires 15 credits in history within the 30-credit major to include a minimum of 3 credits in U.S. history and 3 credits in world history; Spanish requires 3 credits in second language acquisition and methodologies. SP361 CurrentTrendsLangEd-SP is acceptable for this purpose.)
• Completion of the 43-credit Specific Subject Education component (including PS245 Psychology of the Exceptional Child);
• Passing score on the appropriate Praxis II test; note: for fall clinical practice passing scores must be submitted by July 15, for spring clinical practice they must be submitted by December 15;
• Passing score on the GCU Physiology and Hygiene test;
• Evidence of satisfactory completion of a GCU-approved training program on harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB);
• Satisfactory ratings in clinical practice including recommendation for certification;
• Satisfactory rating on candidate’s Taskstream professional portfolio demonstrating how candidate meets New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards; and
• Passing score on the edTPA, the NJDOE-mandated performance assessment.

Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and a minimum Education grade point average of 3.0 is required to remain in the program.

Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) New Jersey Department of Education regulations require training related to harassment, intimidation, and bullying. Candidates must provide evidence of successful completion of a GCU-approved HIB training program clinical practice.

These degree maps are meant to illustrate a typical sequence of courses.  However, actual recommended sequences of non-education courses will vary based on the student's liberal arts major, so students should confer with their academic advisor when planning a course of study and before registering for courses.

Four-Year Subject Specific Ed (K-12)

Five-Year Subject Specific Ed (K-12)