The State of New Jersey grants full NJ licensure to students who earn this degree. A master’s degree is not required.

One of the exciting benefits of this program is that if you wish to pursue a master’s degree, you will only need to take three graduate-level courses to earn your Master of Arts in Education: Special Education, Literacy. These three courses can be completed in only one additional semester.

Students will graduate with a BA in Education and Special Education and a Master of Arts in Education: Special Education, Literacy in just two years.

Currently, all states require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Education to become a certified teacher and special educator. Although a few require a master’s degree as well, NJ and most other states do not. You can research the requirements for each state at this link.

This bachelor’s degree in education and special education offered through SPU provides licensure in the state of NJ. To be licensed in other states, you will need to apply to the state of your choice to have your NJ certification recognized through a reciprocity agreement. Information on that process can be found here. Additionally, upon completing your BA in Education, you can elect to earn a Master of Arts in Education: Special Education, Literacy, which can be earned by taking only three graduate courses over the course of one additional semester.

Absolutely. By earning certification at the undergraduate level, you’ll be in a unique position to earn a master’s degree in a specialty area of Education and Special Education. This will enable you to expand your career possibilities and marketability. Some specialty areas in the field of education and special education that students may wish to pursue at the master’s level are Literacy, Reading, Bi-Lingual, TESOL, ABA, Educational Leadership, Pre-K-3rd Grade, School Counseling, etc.

Students also have the option to expand into other fields that will complement their skills as an educator, such as Social Work, ABA, Psychology, School Psychology, Mental Health Therapist, MBA, and much more.

Although this degree can lead to entry into many fields, it is not the most ideal choice for an individual interested in a career other than education and special education. Students interested in other fields would be better served by taking one of the various BA in Psychology options through Sara Schenirer. Information on those programs is available on our website.

Great question. Please see the fieldwork explanation here.

St. Peter’s University prides itself on offering superior education along with outstanding student support in a culturally sensitive environment. They are very understanding of the unique requirements and religious sensitivities of the students recruited by Sara Schenirer and have worked diligently to accommodate our requests to ensure an environment suitable for Bais Yaakov graduates.

For students and parents alike, the world of college and degrees can be confusing, costly, and difficult to navigate. We pride ourselves on the high-quality educational partners we feature, all of whom offer an accredited degree, uncompromised environment, and first-rate faculty. Most of all, we provide exceptional warmth and support to every single SPU student at Sara Schenirer. We work diligently to offer personal guidance to each student and help ensure their success and timely graduation.

• High School Transcript (minimum 3.0 GPA)
• A 3-credit Psychology prerequisite is required for acceptance into the program, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Your coordinator will notify you about how to earn these credits at your interview (if applicable).

The Office of the Registrar at St. Peter’s University grants transfer credits to students who have completed courses at accredited institutions and have provided their official transcripts for evaluation. The Office of the Registrar evaluates and accepts only credits that are applicable to the student’s program of study and reflect a final grade of ‘C’ or above. Accepted credits are applied to the student’s record, reflected on their academic planner, but not calculated into their St. Peter’s University GPA. The transfer credit planner will also be shared with the student’s advisor to assist with schedule creation and developing a graduation plan.

Classes are offered in Lakewood and Passaic, NJ on Sunday, and live-online one or two weeknights each week. This degree is currently unavailable entirely online.

Through our degree-granting partners, we offer:
• A highly affordable degree program
• In-class learning with an online component
• Highly personalized student mentoring
• Generous transfer credit program
• Student-friendly Frum environment
• Exemplary education with outstanding instructors

The cost of the degree is approximately $26,000. This covers the cost of college courses ($25,000) and required exams ($1,000). Students who are eligible for financial aid (FAFSA) may receive scholarships to cover the full cost of the college courses. Your exact tuition amount will depend on your transfer credits and financial aid eligibility.

Please note: The listed tuition costs are accurate as of the time of writing, but are not guaranteed. Please ask our advisor for updated pricing.

Eligible students can receive financial aid for the full portion of the degree taken through SPU. 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be completed online at this link. Be sure to complete the correct year’s application.

SPU’s FAFSA school code is 002638.

Students should write “Title IV Code 002638 Saint Peter’s University, 2641 Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ” in the appropriate section of the FAFSA.

Your FAFSA information will be sent to HESAA to determine TAG eligibility. HESAA (NJFAMS) will send an email prompting you to create an account to access the TAG information. 

To request an application, please submit this form.

When completing the application, you will also be requested to supply:

• High School Transcript (minimum 3.0 GPA)
• Personal Statement
• Two References
• Personal Photograph
• Non-refundable Application Fee

Even if you do not have these available at the time of application, we recommend submitting your application immediately and submitting the requested documents as they become available.

Once your application is submitted with all the required documents, an interview will be scheduled to continue the admissions process.

Please note: A 3-credit Psychology prerequisite is required for acceptance into the program, which must be completed prior to the start of the semester. Your coordinator will notify you about how to earn these credits at your interview (if applicable).

If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to call our office at 718-633-8557 ext. 37 or email [email protected], and as always, we will be happy to assist you further.