Urban Teacher Residency (MAT): Currently Suspended
The Urban Teacher Residency is a cutting-edge apprenticeship- and cohort-based program for individuals with a deep commitment to teaching and a strong interest in urban education. Working from the model of medical residencies, the UTR provides intensive classroom experience with a mentor teacher, and three years of induction and professional development support after graduation. Residents receive a $55,000 living stipend to help cover the cost of graduate tuition at Montclair State University while enrolled in the 18-month program. Residents who successfully complete the program will earn a dual New Jersey P-3, K-6, or P-12 subject area and TSD teacher certification and their Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). Graduates of the UTR are required to make a three year commitment to teach in the Newark or Orange Public Schools.
The Urban Teacher Residency program is designed to recruit talented individuals, especially people of color and individuals from other occupations, into the teaching force; improve the quality of both new and prospective teachers; increase teacher retention rates; and ultimately improve student achievement.
There are certain key benefits that come with studying in this program:
- The accelerated nature of the program is meant for full-time students. Residents are ready to begin teaching in 12 months and complete their MAT requirements in 18 months.
- Upon completion of the program, residents receive support to find employment in the Newark or Orange school system for 3 years.
- Residents receive a stipend of $55,000 during the initial 12 months to help cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.
*F1/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program.
View Frequently Asked Questions about the Urban Teacher Residency program.
Visit the Teacher Education and Certification Programs page to view all of our offerings from the department.
Please refer to our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.
For certification as a P-12 teacher in New Jersey, current regulations require that applicants complete a minimum of 30 credits in a coherent sequence in the subject field, and a coherent sequence requires that at least 12 credits are completed at the advanced level of study (junior, senior or graduate level). If you require such subject area coursework for your certification program, please discuss this with an advisor during the admissions process.
The Office of Graduate Admissions requires the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to apply for a graduate program. Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the U.S. degree equivalency information. Applicants must have at least a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA to be considered for admission.
Please note: The Urban Teacher Residency graduate program will not be offered for the 2025 academic year, and we are currently not accepting applications until further notice.
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: Final Deadline of March 21st. Summer admission only.
- Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions and pay (or waive) the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Urban Teacher Residency (MAT) program:
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two
- Standardized Test Scores: Praxis II Scores are required
- Essays/Personal Statement: Please write an integrated essay providing a response to each of the following questions.
- Please describe any prior experiences that have prepared you to be a strong teacher for the children of Newark. What do you still need to learn in order to reach this goal?
- The Urban Teacher Residency program focuses on developing teachers who are committed to social justice and antiracism. What does this mean to you and what interests you about it?
- Resume: A current resume is required.
- Praxis II Scores (Required)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA: 2.75
- 30 credits in the subject field in which you intend to teach
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
- *F1/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program.
If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869
If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Urban Teacher Residency (MAT) Program Coordinator:
Program Coordinator: Amanda Faison
Office: University Hall 1166
Email: faisona@montclair.edu