The New Jersey Presidents’ Council, representing the state’s public, private, and community colleges and universities, has adopted a resolution that allows the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) to offer graduate-level programs for three additional subject areas.

With the decision of the council’s Academic Issues Committee, NJCTL can now offer Master of Science in Teaching and Learning degrees in Biology, Computer Science, and Elementary Mathematics.

The council’s decision greatly expands NJCTL’s offerings to teachers. Three years ago, NJCTL was licensed as a NJ Graduate School of Education and approved to offer MSTL degrees in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry. During those three years it awarded 145 MSTL degrees.

In making its decision, the Presidents’ Council determined that NJCTL’s new academic degrees “provide evidence of sufficient academic quality and sufficient labor market demand” and that “the proposed new academic degree programs are not excessively duplicative or unduly expensive.”

NJCTL’s graduate programs are online and asynchronous. The cost of each MSTL degree is less than $6,900. In most cases, they are earned by teachers who also then qualify for an Add-On Endorsement to teach that subject. 

Additionally, completers of one of NJCTL’s new Alternate Route programs in physics, chemistry, biology, or mathematics, also receive an MSTL degree in that subject. Those programs are open to holders of a bachelor’s degree in any subject, with any GPA, at a cost of less than $6,900.

“Our courses are developed for current and prospective educators interested in teaching science, mathematics, or computer science in New Jersey schools, many of which are expanding their offerings in those subjects and need specialized instructors,” explained Robert Goodman, Ed.D, executive director, NJCTL.  “We offer robust and engaging content courses for teachers and prospective teachers, as well as coached field experiences and Praxis examination preparation, to help ensure success as they ascend to their new roles.”

NJCTL can keep its tuition low because of New Jersey Education Association support and a focus on investing solely in courses and programs. As an online institution, NJCTL does not spend tuition dollars on facilities, debt service, sports teams, landscaping, and building maintenance, etc. 

“Spending is completely focused on teaching and learning, which is consistent with being the only graduate school of education founded and supported by a union of public-school employees, the NJEA,” Goodman said.

Because of NJEA’s support, union members receive a 20% discount on NJCTL tuition, reducing the tuition rate to $144 per credit.

NJCTL is a licensed New Jersey Graduate School of Education seeking accreditation.