K-12 Computer Science Teaching (Certificate) – Online
Montclair State University’s innovative, K-12 Computer Science Teaching Certificate is designed for equity-oriented teachers seeking to meet the demand for high-quality computer science education.* The 15-credit, fully online program will prepare teachers with coursework in computer science content, including coding, programming, problem-solving through computational thinking, equity and diversity in Computer Science fields, and research-based methods of teaching Computer Science. Courses are offered in five, 8-week sessions and can be completed within 2-3 semesters.
The program is designed to introduce in-service teachers to foundational concepts, skills, and methods for teaching Computer Science (CS) to students in K-12. The program objectives include the following:
- Provide teachers with foundational knowledge and skills for the teaching of CS and computational thinking content in U.S. classrooms
- Develop teachers professional growth and identity in CS to keep pace with global changes
- Support teachers’ understanding of computational thinking and how to build students’ computational thinking in the classrooms
- Build effective and appropriate interdisciplinary CS curriculum for students in K-12
- Examine issues of equity in CS and promote best-practices for the teaching of CS and computational thinking in U.S. classrooms
- Design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments for the learning of CS and computational thinking
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.
*Students seeking an F1/J1 visa are not eligible for this certificate program unless they are currently pursuing a master’s degree at Montclair State University and are able to simultaneously pursue both programs while maintaining their student visa requirements.
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.
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: Rolling Admission
- 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 K-12 Computer Science Teaching (Certificate) – Online program:
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- Standardized Test Scores: Not required.
- Resume: A current resume is required.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA: 3.0
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
This 15-credit certificate program includes:
- CSIT 500 – Computer Science Principles (3 credits)
- CSIT 501 – Java Programming (4 credits)
- TLRN 500 – Computational Thinking in K-12 Classrooms (3 credits)
- TLRN 501 – Equity in Computer Science Education (2 credits)
- TLRN 502 – Methods of Inclusive Computer Science Teaching (3 credits)
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 K-12 Computer Science Teaching (Certificate) – Online Program Coordinator:
*During the summer months, there will be a rotating department chair available to answer your inquiry. Find the updated summer chair for this program.*
Program Coordinator: Sumi Hagiwara
Office: University Hall 3163
Email: hagiwaras@montclair.edu
