New Jersey Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. An alternative program may allow you to earn your teaching license faster by letting you work while completing the required coursework. Some programs may also allow you to lead a classroom while fulfilling licensing requirements. If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in New Jersey. Continue reading to learn more about becoming a teacher in New Jersey through alternative routes.

Table of Contents

• New Jersey Alternative Certification Requirements
• Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
• Testing Requirements
• Licenses From Another State
• Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
• Best Alternative Certification Programs
• Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
• Additional Resources

Requirements for Alternative Certification

To qualify for alternate route certification in New Jersey, candidates must typically have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete pre-service coursework. Since New Jersey uses a tiered system for teacher certification, candidates begin with a Certificate of Eligibility (CE), fulfill specific requirements under the CE, and then apply for a Provisional Certificate, under which they will complete the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP). Candidates must complete a New Jersey teacher preparation program from an approved CE Provider, which may lead to a certificate or a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a teachable subject.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in New Jersey

One of the requirements for New Jersey alternative licensure is the completion of a teacher preparation program, which must be from an approved CE Program Provider. Other requirements vary by route and are outlined below.

Certificate of Eligibility (CE)

The Certificate of Eligibility (CE) is the alternative pathway to New Jersey teacher certification. There are three main steps for certification through this route:

Step 1: Establishing Eligibility

To qualify for a CE, candidates must establish eligibility by showing they meet basic certification criteria. This includes educational and testing requirements. This usually includes a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA, passing the required tests, and meeting a physiology and hygiene requirement. The CE allows teacher candidates to be hired by school districts. For more information on how to meet these requirements for your certification area, review the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) website.

Step 2: Employment and Provisional Teacher Process (PTP)

Next, the employing school district must request a Provisional Certificate for the candidate, which is valid for up to two years and can be renewed once. Teacher candidates must complete a 50-hour pre-professional experience with an approved in an approved Certificate of Eligibility Program Provider before beginning employment. They must also be enrolled in an approved Certificate of Eligibility Educator Preparation Program (CE EPP). Pre-professional experiences are offered throughout the state. Once hired, the school district must enroll the teacher into the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP), which is a school-based training and evaluation program for the first years of teaching.

Step 3: Becoming Permanently Certified

Once the teacher meets all requirements and has completed the PTP, the employing school district will request a Standard Teaching Certificate on the teacher’s behalf.

Career and Technical Education (CTE): Alternate Route Program

In New Jersey, career and technical education (CTE) candidates pursuing alternate route licensure must follow the same steps as the alternate route above. CTE alternative route candidates must have a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree with at least two years of relevant full-time employment experience, or no degree with at least four years of relevant full-time employment experience. The 50-hour pre-professional experience is available at Brookdale Community College or William Paterson University.

Testing Requirements for New Jersey Alternative Certification

Alternative route teacher certification candidates must meet a basic skills requirement and pass the Praxis Subject Assessments for their certification area. The basic skills requirement can be met with the Praxis Core Tests. You can review the required exams for each endorsement area on the Praxis website. Candidates must also pass a criminal history background check through the Office of Student Protection (OSP) Unit.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

Teachers with active out-of-state certification can apply for New Jersey certification by reciprocity if they meet the same requirements as traditional-route educators in New Jersey. This includes completing a New Jersey PTP through the hiring school district and passing the required Praxis exams. For more information on reciprocity, visit our interstate reciprocity resource or contact the NJDOE.

Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in New Jersey

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 NJDOE for the preparation of teachers.

• — 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.

Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in New Jersey

We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in New Jersey. The following schools reported 90% pass rates or above for alternative and master’s program graduates.

• Montclair State University (Alternative, Master’s; 100%)
• Rutgers University New Brunswick (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s; 96%)
• William Paterson University (Alternative, Master’s; 93%)
• Monmouth University (Alternative, Master’s; 90%)⁴

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in New Jersey based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.

1. Rider University (9 months)
2. Brookdale Community College (12 months)
3. Drew University (12 months)
4. Georgian Court University (12 months)
5. Monmouth University (12 months)
6. Ramapo College (12 months)
7. Relay Graduate School of Education (12 months)
8. Rutgers University New Brunswick (12 months)
9. Rutgers University Camden (12 months)
10. St. Peter’s University (12 months)
11. William Paterson University (12 months)
12. Rowan University (13 months)

Additional Resources

• NJDOE Approved CE Program Providers: Directory of approved alternate route programs in New Jersey with additional information on requirements.
• New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey (NPTNJ) Alternate Route Program: Official site for the NPTNJ alternate route program.

Related Articles

• Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
• New Jersey Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
• Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide

References:
1. New Jersey Department of Education: https://www.nj.gov/education/
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/