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Residents for Innovation in Urban Schools and Student Empowerment (RISE)

RISE is an accelerated Master of Education program designed to equip candidates who are recent bachelor’s degree graduates with the skills to become successful teachers. This program builds on long-standing partnerships with high-need urban school districts in the TCNJ School of Education’s Professional Development School Network. Qualified residents (students) prepare for teaching careers through rigorous graduate coursework; multi-layered mentoring by faculty and practitioners of color; and a comprehensive, job-embedded induction program that includes coaching and professional learning communities. Students will pursue a Master of Education and certification in English as a Second Language, a highly marketable K-12 program that will allow them to teach in elementary, middle, or high schools.

Program Coordinators: Shamaine Bertrand, Linda Mayger, Megan Gordon, TCNJrise@tcnj.edu

By the Numbers

18

Months in this accelerated
master’s degree program

100%

Online courses with
off-site tuition rates

Who Should Pursue This Program?

This fully accredited program is ideal if you hold a bachelor’s degree earned in the United States (or one that has been evaluated and deemed equivalent to a four-year degree from a U.S. program) and you are interested in becoming a teacher in an urban New Jersey school district. You must be eligible to earn a New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility, and you can seek employment under the CE while taking your coursework while pursuing this master’s degree.

What Are the Benefits?

  • Convenience: Courses are offered fully online, however Clinical I and II (student teaching) will be in-person in the partner district.
  • Reputation: Courses are taught by TCNJ faculty and adjuncts, bringing quality instruction to students throughout the state.
  • Networking: Participants will be included in programming on TCNJ’s campus and threw Off-Site Graduate Programs. They will learn from renowned scholars and can connect with educators throughout the state and across the globe.
  • Cost: Students pay off-site graduate tuition rates, making this program accessible and affordable.

Who Are Our Partners?

Burlington City Public Schools, TCNJ School of Education and the Professional Development School Network, TCNJ School of Humanities and Social Sciences, TCNJ School of the Arts and Communication, TCNJ School of Science, Educational Testing Service, Medgar Evers College, and the New Jersey Education Association’s Center for Future Educators.

Steps to Teacher Certification/Master’s Degree in Education

  1. Transcript Review and Advising: Review subject matter preparation to confirm that candidates have/can fulfill the required undergraduate hours required for ESL certification.
  2. Apply for Certificate of Eligibility (CE): See instructions and 10-Point Checklist for the New Jersey Educator Certification (NJEdCert) Application.  This allows candidates to seek employment in a New Jersey school district during the course sequence.
  3. Apply to TCNJ: Candidates will apply during the spring semester, to begin coursework in summer. Instructions for matriculation will be provided by the TCNJ RISE team.
  4. Begin Coursework: Once matriculated (admitted) in the Teaching English as a Secondary Language program, candidates will begin taking coursework toward a teaching certificate and master’s degree. TCNJ offers courses online throughout the academic year and during the summer on a convenient schedule designed for working professionals.  Please note that Clinical I and II (student teaching) will be in-person in the partner district.
  5. Testing Requirements: Prepare for and take Praxis II. TCNJ will provide test prep and resources.
  6. Seek Employment: After Clinical I and II (student teaching) is complete, candidates will seek employment with one of TCNJ’s Professional Development School Network school districts, ideally the district in which student teaching was completed.

Application Requirements

All residency program candidates must complete a graduate application and provide the required supplemental materials to be considered for admission. All candidates must be matriculated (admitted) to participate in coursework and become eligible for financial aid. See step-by-step instructions for application and matriculation (Google Doc).

  • Essay (personal statement, no more than two pages, expressing your professional goals and reasons for wanting to enroll as a graduate student at TCNJ)
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation
  • Copy of resume
  • Official undergraduate transcript
  • $75 application fee*

*Application fee waived if you have attended a RISE information session/orientation event

Upon matriculation, students must complete the following:

  • Graduate pre-entrance health requirements
  • Pay a one-time LiveText fee ($139)

Costs and Timeline

This program is designed to be accelerated, allowing candidates to complete certification and a master’s degree in one year plus one semester.

ItemCost
Tuition for Year OneSummer: $3,606; Fall: $3,606; Winter: $1,803; Spring: $2,577; Application Fee: $75; Live Text Fee: $139 (Total: $11,806)
Tuition for Year TwoSummer: $3,606; Fall: $3,351; Application for Graduation: $100;  (Total: $7,057)
Application/Matriculation Fee$75*
LiveText Fee (required of all students)$139
Application for Graduation$100

2024-2025 approved rates. Please note that tuition may increase each year, beginning in July.

*The application fee is waived for those who attend an information session.

Timeline

DateAction
Winter 2024Review program details Residency candidates should review program details as well as financial aid and funding opportunities.
January 1-March 1Apply for Admission (Matriculation) All residency program candidates must complete a graduate application/provide the required supplemental materials to be considered for admission.  All candidates must be matriculated (admitted) to participate in coursework and become eligible for financial aid. See step-by-step instructions for applying to the program (PDF).
January 31Online Information Session (6:30 p.m.) Geared toward candidates who have already earned a bachelor’s degree.
February 7On-Campus Information Session (1:00 p.m.) Geared toward current TCNJ students.
March 15Application Deadline Final deadline to matriculate for Summer 2024 courses.
March 15-April 15Residency Interviews Residency candidates will interview with faculty (in-person and online options).
April 20Admissions Decisions Residency program candidates will be notified of their admission status.
May 1Confirmation of Acceptance/Participation Contract Candidates accepted to the residency program must confirm their plans to enroll in Summer 2024.  If an offer of admission is accepted, candidates must also submit a participation contract (to be provided at the time of acceptance).
May 1-19Summer 2024 Registration Residency candidates will be registered for Summer 2024 courses.  Upon registration, candidates will receive a confirmation email outlining confirmed course dates, information to access TCNJ systems, and instructions on how to make tuition payments.
May 20  Financial Aid Deadline Residents who are 1) matriculated in the RISE program and 2) registered for at least five credits in the Summer 2024 semester are eligible to apply for financial aid.  This requires two separate applications:Apply for Summer 2024 course aid through the 2023-2024 FAFSA.Apply for Academic Year aid through the 2024-2025 FAFSA.This will include courses offered in Fall 2023 as well as Spring and Summer 2025.
Summer 2024RISE program begins

Financial Aid

Residents who matriculated in the RISE program and registered for at least five credits in the Summer 2024 semester are eligible to apply for financial aid.

This requires two separate applications:

Scholarships

Federal Programs