Connecticut Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for individuals with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional route certification in Connecticut. If you hold a bachelor’s degree and aspire to become a teacher, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) provides several alternative pathways, detailed below. Continue reading to learn more about how you can earn an alternative teaching license in Connecticut.
Table of Contents
- Connecticut Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
- Charter Oak State College (12 months)
- Fairfield University (12 months)
- Albertus Magnus College (13 months)
- Alternate Route to Teacher Certification (ARC): Details on qualifications and requirements for the Connecticut alternative route to teacher licensure.
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide: Summarizes routes to alternative teacher certification by state with overviews of pathway requirements, national professional credentialing programs, and other resources for career changes to teaching.
- Connecticut Teacher Certification Examinations: Portal for viewing and registering for the state’s required certification exams.
- Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) and Programs in Connecticut: Guide to approved teacher preparation programs in Connecticut.
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide: Our overview of teacher certification reciprocity by state.
Requirements for Alternative Certification
The basic requirement for alternative teacher certification in Connecticut is a bachelor’s degree. Those who meet this requirement may complete an alternative teacher preparation program, which may lead to a graduate certificate or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a core subject that includes an approved certification program. You may also need to pass skills tests and/or content area exams before receiving your certificate.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Connecticut
Alternative Route to Certification Program (ARC)
Individuals who hold a degree in a teachable subject area with a GPA of at least 3.0 and have passed the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test and Praxis Subject Tests may apply through the CSDE. The ARC program is offered twice a year in Hartford as a nine-month certification-only program, with no credit or degree awarded. The program curriculum includes training in teaching methodologies and foundational skills for educators. After completing the program successfully, candidates may qualify for teacher licensure. Note that the ARC program provides training for a limited range of subjects and grade levels.
Charter Oak Alternate Route to Certification in Early Childhood Education
Since the CSDE ARC program does not lead to certification eligibility in Early Childhood Education, alternate route candidates who wish to teach at this level can pursue Charter Oak State College’s Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) in Early Childhood Education. Candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 and at least 15 credits in human growth and development, have taken the Praxis Core (or have qualifying SAT scores), and have full-time professional experience as an early childhood educator or home visitor. For more information on this program, contact Charter Oak State College.
Vocational Education Certification
Connecticut offers certification in Vocational Education (career and technical education) subjects including health, business, marketing, and other trade-related subjects. In most cases, candidates for this certification must have at least a high school diploma and three years of relevant practical experience in the subject to be taught. For certain occupations, industry certification and/or college experience is required. For more information, consult the CSDE.
Testing Requirements for Connecticut Alternative Certification
Alternative pathway teacher candidates must pass the same exams as teachers who take the traditional pathway to licensure. These include the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test and the Praxis Subject Tests corresponding to the grade level and subject they intend to teach. For more information on testing through the alternative certification pathway in Connecticut, review the ARC program’s testing requirements. Early Childhood Education candidates must also take the Connecticut Teacher Certification Examinations (CTCE): Foundations of Reading Test and Early Childhood Tests. More information on these tests can be found on the CTCE website.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Applicants with a teaching certificate in another state may qualify for certification in Connecticut following a review of their credentials and professional experience. Candidates with out-of-state licenses may be eligible for a testing waiver and at least three years of teaching experience. In addition, candidates with at least two years of successful experience teaching the subject and grade level they’re seeking certification for and who pass the required Praxis exams may qualify for licensure without completing a teacher preparation program. For more information, review our teacher certification reciprocity resource or visit the CSDE website.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Connecticut
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the CSDE for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albertus Magnus College* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $27,492 |
| Charter Oak State College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | $15,663 |
| Fairfield University* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $43,173 |
| Quinnipiac University* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $41,815 |
| Sacred Heart University* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $43,313 |
| University of Bridgeport* | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $24,613 |
| University of Saint Joseph | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $24,176 |
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Connecticut based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
Additional Resources
References:
1. Connecticut State Department of Education: https://portal.ct.gov/sde
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/