How Do I Enter the Alternate Route Program?

Although an endorsement authorizes the holder to teach in the area of their endorsement, the individual must also meet the highly qualified requirements required by the federal government. For further information on meeting the highly qualified requirements please go to http://www.nj.gov/education/profdev/nclb/.

How Do I Enter the Alternate Route Program?

The Alternate Route program is a non-traditional teacher preparation program designed for those individuals who HAVE NOT completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university, but wish to obtain the necessary training to become a NJ certified teacher.

Completing the Alternate Route program requires that the following series of steps be taken by a prospective applicant in the order listed:

Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) through the Office of Licensure and Academic Credentials (OLC).

The requirements for a CE are listed on this link: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/instructcert.htm
All Instructional Certificates available for which a CE may be issued are listed at this link: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/certandend.htm

Remember, it is your responsibility to make sure all necessary documents are received by the OLC so that your file can be reviewed by an examiner. The waiting time for your application review does not begin until all documentation is received. You must submit a completed and notarized Oath of Allegiance (Non-citizen Oath and Non-citizen Affidavit if you are not a US citizen) and the proper fee. Only official transcripts and official copies of test scores, where applicable, are acceptable. You will find all necessary Forms & Documents on our website as well as a current Fee Schedule. Applicants may now Apply Online. You may also find it helpful to review Frequently Asked Questions.

Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility and accept employment.
A Certificate of Eligibility is issued once a candidate meets all the requirements for the particular endorsement. The Certificate of Eligibility authorizes an individual to seek and accept employment in a New Jersey public school requiring certification. You will be notified by the OLC once all requirements for the certificate have been met and a teaching certificate is being issued to you.
Enter the Provisional Teacher Program - Alternate Route.
Once you have secured employment, it is the responsibility of the hiring school district to enroll you in the Provisional Teacher Program. A Provisional teaching certificate is then issued for a period of two years. The PTP is a school-based training and evaluation program provided during the first year of teaching in New Jersey. This link describes in detail the requirements of the PTP program: http://www.nj.gov/njded/educators/license/provprogram.htm
Make sure your school district completes this step in the process.
Meet mentoring and formal instruction requirements.
While working as a provisional alternate route teacher you must be mentored by a colleague in the district, supervised and evaluated by district personnel. Concurrently, you must attend formal instruction that is required for the certificate you are seeking. The formal instruction requirements are:

Elementary or Subject Area CE: 200 hours of formal instruction (18 providers at 39 locations; 80-100 classes) or MAT alternate route programs, such as The New Jersey City University’s New Pathways to Teaching in NJ. Information on these college programs is available at: http://www.state.nj.us/education/aps/heqi/alt.htm.
Pre-School through Grade 3 CE: 13 – 17 credits at colleges or universities offering the P-3 pedagogy.
Students with Disabilities CE: College/university program of 21-27 credits (and 200 hours of standards based pedagogy if candidate holds CE in instructional area).
Bilingual/Bicultural CE: College/university program of 12 credits (and 200 hours of standards based pedagogy if candidate holds CE in instructional area).
ESL CE: 200 hours of standards based pedagogy and college/university program of 15-21 credits.

Successfully complete the Provisional Teacher Program and receive a Standard teaching certificate.
Once the PTP program has been successfully completed, a Standard teaching certificate can then be issued by the OLC. The Standard certificate is a permanent certificate issued to candidates who have met all requirements for State certification.