Prepare for a Fulfilling Career in Education and Human Services
Become a Teacher and Make a Difference
At the College of Education and Human Services, we are committed to preparing future educators and human service professionals with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to thrive in their careers. Our graduates enjoy high job placement rates in schools, nonprofits, and counseling settings thanks to our strong community partnerships with schools and service organizations.
Majors in Teacher Education
If you have a passion for teaching and shaping young minds, our Department of Teacher Education offers comprehensive programs designed to prepare you for success in the classroom.
- Early Childhood Education (P-3) – Gain expertise in teaching young learners in preschool through third grade, laying the foundation for lifelong learning.
- Elementary Education (K-6) – Develop the knowledge and skills to teach multiple subjects and foster academic growth in elementary school students.
- Secondary Education (7-12) – Specialize in a subject area and inspire students at the middle and high school levels.
Earn specialized credentials including:
- Special Education – Become an advocate for diverse learners and make an impact in inclusive classroom settings.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) & Bilingual Education – Help multilingual learners develop language skills and achieve academic success.
Hands-On Learning & Personalized Support
You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with successful, professional faculty members, gain experiences with children, teachers, school administrators and community agencies and receive one-on-one guidance from a faculty mentor. In fact, 100% of education majors complete mediated field experiences which means a faculty mentor is there to help guide you every step of the way.
Dedicated Faculty Help You Succeed
As a student in the College of Education, you'll work with one professor during your time at Rider who will personally advise and assist you in developing your specific programs. In your classes, you will work directly with faculty who have been successful practitioners in their respective fields.
My lab experience had a tremendous impact on me. It’s where I learned how to think creatively and critically about science. It definitely made me a better teacher.”
Student Teaching
Your studies are half the picture of becoming a teacher, but the other half is actually teaching. As part of the College of Education and Human Services, you’ll observe and assist in classrooms, develop teaching methods and complete an entire semester of full-time student teaching.
View student teaching information and documents.
Interested in study abroad? Learn more about our Student Teaching Abroad program.
Beyond 100K
Rider is proud to partner with Beyond100K and make the commitment to help end the STEM teacher shortage. Having achieved their goal of preparing 100,000 excellent STEM teachers in 10 years, they continue to tackle the world’s most pressing problems by engaging the best and most diverse minds, especially those who have been historically marginalized. They are centered on racial diversity, equity, and belonging for its next chapter to help close gaps in STEM education, drive innovation, and deliver the most impactful solutions to move our world forward.
Where You'll Go From Here
As a Rider graduate, you will have the skills you need to land the job you want and follow your passion. Our graduates work in schools, clinical settings and organizations. Whatever you do with your degree, you will be shaping future generations.
Transform Lives Including Your Own
You will be prepared for your first role in education or human services because Rider provides direct experience in every imaginable setting. The connections you make through faculty, student-teaching and related fieldwork opportunities will set the foundation for your success.
Contact
Associate Professor, Department Chair
Bierenbaum Fisher Hall
sdougherty [at] rider.edu
(609) 896-5162
Academic Focus: Undergraduate Teacher Education
