New ADD Program for Teaching CS

Knowing your way around a computer is a crucial skill in today’s world. Rowan’s computer science program is readily supplying students with these skills—but computer science comprehension shouldn’t just start at the collegiate level. That’s why staff from both the Rowan CS department and the Rowan Education department teamed up to create a new ADDP (Accelerated Dual-Degree Program) pathway. This new pathway is a pipeline for Computing and Informatics students to become certified K-12 computer science teachers.

The ADDP is a degree program that helps students achieve their bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. Within the program, students work through their undergraduate degree for four years. Then, in their senior year, eligible students can register for a graduate program attached to their major within ADDP.

With the new CS ADDP, students majoring in Computing and Informatics can ease into the M.A. in STEM program sponsored by the Rowan Department of Education. After four years of Computing and Informatics, students apply to the M.A. in STEM program, where they become officially certified to teach computer science to K-12 students. 

“It gives C&I majors a whole new set of skills they would otherwise never have in college,” says Professor Jack Myers, the curriculum chair of the Computer Science Committee. “The C&I Major would of course have good CS skills, but they wouldn’t have a lot of exposure to breaking down concepts and trying to explain them, which you get in teaching,” he continues. 

This new program is the only one of its kind in New Jersey, a state that badly needs certified computer science teachers at the K-12 level. “As jobs change, so do what we need to teach in schools,” begins Dr. Issam Abi-El-Mona, one of the new program’s lead sponsors. “This is the only program in the whole state that includes, or gives you the opportunity to get a cs teaching certification–not an endorsement, a teaching certificate,” he continues. An endorsement in this context is a temporary credit usually given to a teacher already hired by a school. In this case, a CS endorsement would permit a teacher to teach computer science at the K-12 level, even if they don’t have a background in computer science.

“As of 2027 the state will require that anyone who teaches computer science at the K-12 level must have a computer science teaching certificate, no longer just an endorsement,” says Abi-El-Mona. The new policy will eventually create a demand surge for teachers, especially since there’s little structure for teaching computer science in New Jersey public schools. Some schools do teach computer science, but many don’t, and what is taught isn’t consistent across districts, making computer literacy a key issue in the classroom.

“A lot of the K-12 schools are seeking CS teachers; they will provide excellent benefits and a competitive starting salary,” says Abi-El-Mona. “Employment after you graduate is almost guaranteed.” With that certification, students can teach anywhere in the state of New Jersey, but can work in other states. Successful graduates in the M.A. STEM program have taught in Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, and many other U.S. states.

Teaching at the K-12 level isn’t the only thing you can do with these skills. You could be a computer science educator in a corporate environment, like working for Google as a certified trainer. “All of the software companies have trainers that teach people how to use their software. If you’re a C&I major with an education secondary degree, you’d be perfect for those jobs,” says Myers.

The groundwork for this new ADD program isn’t new—the M.A. in STEM program has been around for a while, with Computing and Informatics majors joining the swathes of other Rowan STEM majors also learning how to spread the love of their chosen subject to the next generation. What was added were the new methodology courses, specific to computer science.

"Method course(s) engage students with the underlying pedagogical methodology of how you can teach computer science content to students. Essentially, how to teach it effectively–models of how we teach grounded in a constructivist framework or a constructivist mentality of teaching,” says Abi-El-Mona. Within the M.A. in STEM program, students will take methodologies courses where they’ll learn about education technology and other courses on how tech is used in a K-12 classroom setting. In the future, more courses will be added and will revolve around how to break down specific computer science topics for kids at any age, like gamification or coding. Students will also experience in-person student teaching, where students will be placed at a local school to gain real-life experience.

Not only does the program offer a soon-to-be sought-after degree in a huge market, but the program’s existence is laying the foundation for future P.h.D. students. “We’re planning on using some of those same [M.A. in STEM] courses in our upcoming P.h.D. courses, so maybe some P.h.D.’s in CS who don’t wanna do research, or who don’t wanna go into industry… can become a computer science faculty member at a college,” says Myers. 

The program also hopes to provide financial assistance to interested students, pending the program’s ability to receive grant funding. Students interested can talk with Professor Abi-El-Mona. The program is also designed around speed–students can complete the M.A. in STEM in three semesters.

To qualify for the program, students must meet several criteria. First, they need a minimum of thirty course credits in their content area to start taking graduate courses. Twelve of those thirty credits must come from 300-level or higher courses. Secondly, a student’s G.P.A (grade point average) cannot be below 3.0. Thirdly, undergraduates are required to take one adolescent psychology course and one other course related to either health and wellness, biology, or nutrition. Lastly, students must pass the Praxis Computer Science 2 test. This is a standardized test required by the state of New Jersey. Receiving a passing grade is necessary for anyone aiming to be certified. 

In a field where competition for jobs is high, expanding your horizons to an overlooked field may be exactly what you need to do to set yourself up for success. With a master’s degree under your belt, you’ll be prepared for anything that comes your way. 

Students interested in the new ADD program can talk to their CS advisor and education advisor, Michalina Zelazny, to apply. If you’d like to learn more, interested students can contact Professor Abi-El-Mona. 

Special thanks to Dr. Yu Chun Kuo (College of Education), Dr. Issam Abi-El-Mona, Mr. Jack Myers (CSM), Dr. Jennifer Kay (CSM), and Mr. Adam Swift for their contributions to the program. 

Written by Kiley Parker | Posted 4.16.25