In need of advice on education colleges in New Jersey

I'm a junior beginning my college search and one of the places I'm considering is New Jersey. I'm planning on pursuing a career in teaching. Does anyone have suggestions for the best colleges in New Jersey for education majors?

New Jersey has a few strong options for prospective education majors like yourself. Four schools stand out due to their education programs: The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rowan University, and Montclair State University.

1. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is known for its School of Education which offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. TCNJ offers an integrated bachelor’s and master’s program with a special education specialization. In 2019, TCNJ was ranked by Niche as the #1 public school for teachers in New Jersey, and it tends to consistently rank well in that category.

2. Rutgers University-New Brunswick houses the Graduate School of Education, which is among the top 50 graduate education programs in the country according to U.S. News & World Report. Though the undergraduate education major is not directly offered at the New Brunswick campus, the university does have a five-year BA/MAT program for undergraduates who aspire to become teachers.

3. Rowan University offers a wide range of education programs through their College of Education, with many of them allowing students to specialize in fields such as Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Special Education, among others.

4. Montclair State University’s Teacher Education program has been consistently recognized for excellence on national and state levels. Their program offers a variety of specializations as well, similar to Rowan.

When deciding on a program, make sure to not only consider rankings and prestige, but to look at factors like student-to-faculty ratio, availability of student teaching opportunities, specific concentrations you might be interested in (such as special education or secondary education), and overall fit with the university's environment.

Another thing to consider is becoming familiar with the state's teacher certification requirements since the process can vary by state. All the schools mentioned should meet the New Jersey Department of Education's certification requirements.

Remember to visit, if you can, and get a feel for the campus and the program you're interested in – there's nothing like an in-person perspective to help you make your decision.