Alternate Route FAQs
What are the requirements for Alternate Route Programs in New Jersey?
To be eligible for the Alternate Route Program and in the field of education, the state of New Jersey requires all candidates to have at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. To obtain a CE from the NJ Department of Education, the basic requirements are:
1) earned a Bachelor's or higher degree (must submit a degree posted college transcript)
2) overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (If you graduated before September 1, 2016, the GPA is a 2.75.)
3) Praxis Core and Praxis II (based on certification option)
4) OPI and WPT for TESOL
What is the structure of the Alternate Route Program?
The Alternate Route Program consists of 24 credits (4 semesters) and may be started in the fall or spring semester. Students typically take 2 courses each semester. Courses are offered in-person only at this time.
Students cannot finish their program early as the Alternate Route is a 2 year program. They must teach and have 2 full years of evaluations under their Provisional License.
What is the difference between Traditional Route and Alternate Route?
There are two pathways to becoming a teacher in New Jersey:
- The traditional route program is designed for those who have completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university, and wish to become a New Jersey certified teacher. Traditional Route teachers earn a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). This could be a master's degree and includes student teaching.
- The Alternate Route program is a non-traditional teacher preparation program designed for those 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 New Jersey certified teacher. Alternate Route teachers earn a Certificate of Eligibility (CE). You will be hired as a teacher and get paid with teacher salary.
Both pathways include preparation or coursework, certification, mentoring and evaluation as you progress toward earning your permanent or standard license.
When are the courses offered? What time do they start?
The courses are only offered at night. The class(es) meets once a week. You can have a class that starts at 4:30PM-7:15PM or as late as 7:30PM-10:15PM. Unfortunately, the courses are conducted in-person only. We do not offer online courses at this time.
How many years is the Alternate Route Program?
The Alternate Route Program is a 2-year non-degree program. It is a program offering the courses required for certification by the district/school. Completion of this certificate by itself does not result in certification. You must be working under your Provisional License while taking your courses. In addition, you must be mentored, evaluated, and observed for two full years. Students are recommended for certification by their district/school upon successful completion of Mentoring. District/School require evaluations, and the completion of this certificate.
What are the different types of certifications?
The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) is issued to an individual who has completed a teacher preparation program and met requirements for certification, including academic study and applicable test requirements. The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) authorizes an individual to seek and accept employment in New Jersey public schools requiring certification. An individual who does not hold a New Jersey Standard certificate or completed two years of full-time teaching under a valid out-of-state instructional certificate can apply for a CEAS.
The Certificate of Eligibility (CE) is issued to an individual who has not completed a teacher preparation program but meets the basic requirements for certification, including academic study and applicable test requirements. The CE authorizes an individual to seek and accept employment in New Jersey public schools requiring certification. This certificate is requested by a school district for a newly hired teacher after the teacher obtains a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). A candidate cannot apply for this certificate. Provisional certificates are valid for up to two years expiring July 31 of the second year and may be renewed one time. Novice teachers with a provisional certificate participate in the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP).
The Standard certificate is a permanent certificate issued to an individual who has completed the Provisional Teacher Process, holds a previously issued New Jersey instructional certificate, or meets reciprocity requirements for standard certification.
A five-year pilot program for the issuance of an instructional Limited Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Limited Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) for candidates who meet the requirements.
What do I need to apply?
Please submit the following documents to be eligible for the Alternate Route Program in addition to other supporting documents needed by the Graduate Admissions Office:
- Proof of full time employment/contract to teach
- Evidence of a Regular Certificate of Eligibility (CE) in P-3 or TESOL
- Proof of 50 hours pre-service workshops completed (verification form)
What is the link to apply to the Alternate Route Programs?
Here is the link to apply: https://cougarapp.kean.edu/portal/login
What is the cost for tuition for the Alternate Route Programs?
Click here for the tuition information: https://www.kean.edu/offices/student-accounting/tuition-and-fees-2023-2024
What are the steps for Alternate Route?
1) Apply for a CE
2) Complete the 50 hour pre-service workshops
3) Get employment in a school district as a full time teacher
4) School district will register you for the Provisional license and be assigned a mentor.
5) Enroll in an educator preparation program and complete the 24 credits
6) Complete 2 years of mentoring with effective to highly effective ratings in your observations and evaluations
7) Once you complete the program and receive effective to highly effective ratings on your observations/evaluations, your school district will recommend you for the Standard license
When should I apply?
You must have a Regular CE in P-3 or TESOL, 50 hours completed, and be hired as a full time teacher in order to be eligible for our Alternate Route Programs. We admit students for fall and spring semesters only. The recommended deadlines are August 15 (fall), December 15 (spring). Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space availability basis.
What Alternate Route Programs do you offer?
Currently, Kean University only offers two Alternate Route Programs: Early Childhood Education (P-3) and ESL (English as a Second Language). However, we have a list of other colleges participating in Alternate Route Programs who have other programs available. It is advised that you go to a school that offers your specific major.
What are the GPA requirements for Alternate Route Programs?
- If you graduated before September 1, 2004, the GPA requirement was a 2.5.
- If you graduated after September 1, 2004, the GPA requirement was a 2.75.
- If you graduated after September 1, 2016, the new GPA requirement is a 3.0.
Is your Alternate Route Programs hourly based or credit based?
At Kean University, our P-3 and TESOL graduate non-degree programs are credit based (24 credits).
Do you participate with Limited CE?
Kean University is not participating with Limited CE at this time. If you have an updated CE and plan to enroll in our P-3 or TESOL Alternate Route Programs, please submit a copy to our Graduate Admissions Office as soon as possible. We are only accepting those with a regular CE. However, we have a list of CE program providers you can inquire if they are participating with Limited CE:
https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/CEprogramproviders.shtml
I have come from another country, plan to become a teacher in New Jersey, and would like my transcript/degree(s) to be evaluated. Where do I go?
We highly suggest using World Education Services (WES) to evaluate your credentials.
I am already a certified teacher (CEAS or Standard). I have a Limited CE in P-3 (or TESOL). Can I enroll in your endorsement track?
Kean University is not participating with Limited CE at this time. We are only accepting those with a regular CE We have a list of CE program providers you can inquire if they are participating with Limited CE:
https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/CEprogramproviders.shtml
Does Kean University require edTPA as an assessment?
No, as of January 2023, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill doing away with a state-mandated test for people who want to teach in New Jersey. The law eliminates the requirement for prospective teachers to take the Education Teacher Performance Assessment, or edTPA, before they can become eligible for a permanent standard teaching certificate. This means that edTPA has been eliminated in the state of New Jersey.
Once I complete the program, how will I get my Standard license?
After the completion of all required coursework with a 3.0 grade point average along with final evaluations and summative reports, the school districts not Kean University will recommend you for the Standard license using the New Department system, NJEdCert portal at www.nj.gov/education/certification. An electronic verification form (VOPC) will be automatically generated and should be sent to this email: coevopc@kean.edu
You must have two years of teaching under a Provisional License with a year-end evaluation of "Effective" or higher. Once the school district nominates you for the standard license, the nomination will generate a verification of program completion form electronically, sent to the Office of Teacher Certification to complete. The Department of Education will award the appropriate license for Early Childhood, P-3 or English as a Second Language.
My verification of program completion form was submitted to the NJDOE. Whom shall I contact regarding the status?
Please do not call or email the Alternate Route Office about the status of your verification form. You will need to follow up with the NJDOE in 2-3 business days to inquire about the status for your form. The contact information is (609) 292-2070. The university can only verify that you completed your program.
I completed the 24 credits for my P-3 (or TESOL) program. I have submitted my 2 years of observations, evaluations, and summative reports. My verification of program completion was submitted to the NJDOE. However, it says it is still Pending. What should I do?
The NJDOE may have received the VOPC after it was submitted by your university. However, educators cannot apply on their own for the Standard when they are completing the provisional teacher process. To obtain the standard certificate, the educator must be recommended in NJEdCert by their school/district through the ‘conversion to standard’ process. The educator will need to contact the school/district to have this completed.
Do the credits from this program count towards a master’s degree?
Yes, our master’s program in Early Childhood/P-3 and ESL are for those who hold a CEAS or Standard License. If you have completed the 24 credits in P-3 or ESL, you are eligible to apply to Kean University’s Master’s Program in P-3 or ESL.
P-3 = 12 credits
ESL = 9 credits
Go to this link to apply:
I finished the P-3 (or TESOL) Alternate Route Program and received my Standard license. Do I have to continue with a master's degree?
No, obtaining a master's degree after you completed the Alternate Route Program is your choice. It is not mandatory though highly recommended. The 24-credit program helps candidates complete the formal instruction required for the P-3 or TESOL certificate.
I finished the P-3 (or TESOL) Alternate Route Program and received my Standard license. I am interested in continuing with the master’s program. Whom shall I contact for more information?
You may contact Dr. Gail Verdi at gverdi@kean.edu for the TESOL master’s program or Dr. Jennifer Chen at jchen@kean.edu for the Early Childhood/P-3 master’s program.
I finished the P-3 (or TESOL) Alternate Route Program. How do I obtain my official transcripts to be sent to the NJDOE?
You will need to go to this link: www.getmytranscript.org. For transcript request information, please see the following website: Transcript Request
If you need assistance, click HERE for step by step instructions.
I have to defer a semester due to personal reasons. Would this interfere with my program and/or employment?
No, personal obligations do happen. However, you must check with your employer/school district and the number of provisional licenses you have remaining. This may interfere with your employment as you have to be actively enrolled in a teacher preparation program. We would advise you to contact the provisional teacher process you are supposed to enroll in and are expected to continue in the program with the next available cohort to keep your employment. The contact information is provisional.teacher@doe.nj.gov or call (609) 984-6377. If you need to defer a semester, your status will be inactive. You must reapply into the program to activate your status.
I was originally accepted into the Alternate Route Program, but had to defer a semester. How do I enroll again?
You will have to apply for Readmission to the University so that you can return and enroll back into the program. Go to Readmission in the Kean website for the application and instructions: https://www.kean.edu/offices/admissions/readmission-kean
I am in the P-3 Endorsement and/or MA track. Do I have to follow the sequence of courses with the Alternate Route track?
No, P-3 Endorsement and M.A. students do not have to follow a sequence so they can enroll in any available courses, unlike the Alternate Route students.
I am already a certified teacher with a CEAS (or Standard) License, but I also have an additional certification. I am required by the state to take the courses needed for that specific certification. Do I need to apply for the Alternate Route Program?
If you are already a certified teacher holding a CEAS or Standard License, you do not need to apply for the Alternate Route Program. You will instead apply with Graduate Admissions in the Endorsement track. For example: if you have a CEAS in Elementary Education/K-6 and hold a CE in Preschool through Grade 3, you are required to attend a State approved Preschool through Grade 3 program consisting of a minimum of 24 semester hour credits to secure full licensure. If you plan to seek work in New Jersey under a P-3 CE and complete the 24 semester hour credits while working under a provisional licensure, you must enroll in a Department approved New Jersey college or university program. This is mandatory by the New Jersey Department of Education.
My school district requires me to complete the 50 hour pre-service workshops. Can I do that at Kean?
Our 50 hours are only for candidates who have a Regular CE in Early Childhood/P-3 or English as a Second Language (ESL). You must provide proof of CE in an email attachment to Ms. Jea Noonan at basubasj@kean.edu and register for the workshops. Candidates with a CE in P-3 or ESL who register for this course are expected to continue with the Kean’s CE program for the remainder of the 400-hour course of study. This is not a standalone course.
Do you offer your 50 hour pre-service workshops online or in-person?
The workshops were originally conducted on two consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in the Fall and Spring only. However, we have transitioned our 50 hour pre-service workshops to 100% online using CANVAS. It is offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.
I completed the 24 hours with Kean University when it was the requirement before and was awarded a certificate. Due to some circumstances, I am unable to find my 24 hour certificate. Where can I get a copy of that certificate?
We only have a few copies of the 24 hour certifications from 2016 -2017. Unfortunately, the Alternate Route Program was under a different management. However, you may want to contact the NJDOE who can confirm that there are notes in your account that you completed the 24 hours. You will need to contact the PTP Office, email them at provisional.teacher@doe.nj.gov or call (609) 984-6377 to help you verify this information.
I completed the 24 hours with Kean University when it was the requirement before. Now they require 50 hours. How do I complete the remaining 26 hours?
Kean University offers a Bridge program/course/workshop designed for participants who have completed the 24 – Hour workshop and wish to upgrade to a 50 – Hour certificate. You will earn the additional 26 hours needed by: conducting a 20-hour field experience; preparing a lesson plan; preparing a reflective observation journal. If your 24 – Hour workshop was completed at Kean University, there is no charge for this service. Those who earned their certificates at other institutions must pay a $25 administrative fee for the upgrade. Proof of completing the 24 - Hour is required when you register for the Bridge course. All Bridge participants must attend the first day of the 50 – Hour Pre Service Workshop. You are welcome to stay without charge if you feel you need to be up-to-date with the Alternate Route Program’s new requirements. Here is the link to register for the Bridge:
I am unable to attend Kean University's 50-hour pre-service workshops due to the limited sessions available. Can I attend another university's 50 hours and transfer the work to this university?
Yes, you can attend another university's 50-hour pre-service workshops and transfer the work you did to Kean University ONLY if you plan to attend our P-3 or ESL Alternate Route Programs to complete the 24 credits.
NJCU
Rutgers University
https://njalternateroute.rutgers.edu/50-hour-online-pre-service-course
Monmouth University
https://www.monmouth.edu/school-of-education/alternate-route/50-hour-program/
William Paterson University
https://www.wpunj.edu/coe/programs/career-and-technical-education-alternate-route-program
Stockton University
https://stockton.edu/education/current-students/alternate-route-introduction.html
Rowan University
https://education.rowan.edu/initiatives/aspire.html
They will provide you a verification form as proof of completing the 50 hours. You will need that form as part of the admissions requirement into the program. You must keep a copy of your records. Please keep in mind that if you plan to enroll at Kean's P-3 or TESOL's Alternate Route Programs, you have a Regular CE not Limited CE.
I am currently in the P-3 (or TESOL) Alternate Route Program. However, I failed a course and it brought my GPA down. What should I do?
Since the Alternate Route Program is a graduate level program, you must maintain at least a 3.0 or higher GPA. If you retake a course, you cannot remove the grade. Graduate courses cannot be considered for grade recalculation. It will stay on your transcript. If you have a GPA that is less than 3.0, you will be automatically placed on academic probation. You will remain on probation for 6 more credits, a total of 12 credits earned. If the grade point average is below a 3.0, with 12 credits earned, then you will be dismissed from your program. The rules of dismissal are policies from the Graduate School, which applies to all programs. Students will have the opportunity to appeal the decision of dismissal. If the GPA is attainable with additional credits, then students will be allowed to return to complete their program. Dismissals are done on a Fall or Spring semester basis. The College of Education will work in tandem with the Nathan Weiss Graduate School concerning grades and dismissals.
I was originally an Education major as an undergraduate at Kean, but I changed majors and graduated with my academic major (ex. Math, English, etc.). I am interested in the P-3 (or TESOL) Alternate Route Programs. Am I required to take the 50-hour pre-service workshops?
If you have taken these sophomore field courses at Kean as an undergrad (EMSE 2800, EMSE 2801, or EC 2900), it may be waived. If you have taken this introduction to education in another college or university, you must send us a copy of your transcript along with the course description.
Note: If you have taken the sophomore field courses before 2017, you will need to make up the 26 hours. Please contact Ms. Jea Noonan at basubasj@kean.edu for more information. If you have taken the sophomore field courses after 2017, the course will be waived.
Am I required to have a full time teaching job to be eligible for Alternate Route Programs?
Yes, candidates who are interested in becoming a certified teacher must be employed as a full time teacher. You cannot be a teacher’s aide, teacher assistant, substitute teacher, paraprofessional, or assistant teacher in the Alternate Route Program. Candidates must apply for a CE based on their certification options. The CE allows you to seek employment with a public school or an approved nonpublic school. When the CE holder accepts an offer of employment and provides verification of completion of a 50-hour Pre-professional Experience, the district/school must register employment with the Office of Professional Development (609) 984-6377, and request issuance of a provisional license. This two-year license allows the holder to begin working in the classroom and legalizes employment. It signifies that the applicant holds a CE and has accepted an offer of employment. In addition, it signifies that the employing school district or approved nonpublic school has registered the applicant in the Provisional Teacher Program and agreed to provide the required support and supervision. While some nonpublic schools or child development centers will employ you without a CE in hand, you must have a P-3 CE in order to complete the specialized alternate route courses and the PTP mentoring and evaluation.
If I am in the Alternate Route Program with my CE in P-3 or TESOL, can my school district place me in a Bilingual or Special Education classroom?
No, you cannot be placed in a Bilingual or Special Education classroom under your Provisional License in P-3 or ESL. You cannot teach in grades outside your certification while in the Alternate Route Program. If you have a CE in P-3, you are only supposed to teach from grades P-3. If you have a CE in ESL, you can teach K-12, but no Bilingual class. You cannot teach in a Bilingual or Special Education class until you complete your initial certification. Those two certifications are add ons/endorsements only. They are not standalone certifications. They are paired with another certification such as P-3, K-6, K-8, or K-12 subject matter (i.e. Math, English, Science, etc.). You can, however, apply for additional certifications and enroll in Bilingual or Special Education Programs, but cannot teach under those certifications without your initial certifications.
I am enrolled in the P-3 (or TESOL) Alternate Route Program. I received an email stating I will be evaluated/observed by a Kean University clinical supervisor. I am already assigned a mentor in my school district. Can you clarify?
Kean University would like to assist their Alternate Route students who are working, and are piloting a program to do just that. Please note, it does not impact your certification in any way, and you will still be under the direction of your building level administrator.
Can my courses transfer to the Alternate Route Programs?
We can transfer up to 6 credits (2 courses) from a master's degree not a bachelor's degree. However, we will need to evaluate the courses and see if they match with our courses. You must provide a copy of your transcripts along with the course descriptions. There is no guarantee for courses to transfer. It must also be within a six year window.
I already have a master's degree in Education. I am interested in the P-3 or TESOL Alternate Route Program. Can any of my courses transfer?
If you already hold a master's degree in Education, we will need to carefully evaluate the courses you want to transfer. We may transfer up to 6 credits from a master’s degree if they match with or are equivalent to our courses. However, there is no guarantee. You must provide a copy of your transcripts along with the course descriptions. Kean University typically only considers courses that are within a six year window, and that is in our graduate catalog. Unfortunately, if the courses are more than six years old, they will not be able to apply to the Alternate Route Program.
I do not have a 3.0 GPA, but I am still interested in becoming a teacher and being in the Alternate Route Program. What are my options?
If you do not have the minimum requirement of a 3.0 GPA, which is mandatory for those entering the Education field, here are some suggestions:
1) get a second degree in Liberal Arts such as English, Science, Math, Psychology, etc. and maintain a 3.0 GPA
2) apply for graduate school, get a Master's Degree that is not an Education major (ex. Psychology) and maintain a 3.0 GPA
3) apply for a post baccalaureate program. Be aware that Kean University no longer has a post-baccalaureate as of 2016 as it was dismantled. We only have Alternate Route Programs for Early Childhood Education/P-3 or ESL.
4) Apply for the Limited CE. Kean University is not participating with Limited CE at this time.
I have read/heard that Governor Murphy signed a law dropping N.J. requirements to pass the Praxis Core effective immediately. Do I need to take the Praxis Core for Alternate Route?
Yes, at this time, Kean University requires our P-3 and TESOL Alternate Route candidates to pass the Praxis Core. The Governor signed A1669/P.L.2024, c.26, into law on June 29, 2024, which eliminates the requirement to complete a Commissioner of Education-approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills (Basic Skills) for all instructional certificates except for the limited certificate of eligibility (CE) and the limited certificate of eligibility with advanced standing (CEAS). This law shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following the date of enactment. The law also immediately eliminates the Alternate Certificate of Eligibility. The official date will be January 2025.
I was originally an Education major as an undergraduate, but I changed majors and graduated with my academic major (ex. Math, English, etc.). I am interested in the Alternate Route Programs. Can all my credits and/or courses be transferred to the program?
Unfortunately, credits and/or courses from an undergraduate degree do not transfer to the Alternate Route Program. The program consists of graduate level courses.
I am interested in teaching Health and Physical Education. Do you offer this Alternate Route Program?
Kean University does not have an Alternate Route Program for Health and Physical Education. We only have a second degree in that major. To obtain this certification, you will need 45 credits in Health and Physical Education (30 credits in Physical Education and 15 credits in Health or vice versa), pass the Praxis 2 for that certification and apply for the CE with the NJDOE. Please see the LINK for the requirements.
Unfortunately, you cannot be hired in a school district as a Health and Physical Education teacher until you have obtained the certificate in that area. The NJDOE will not issue you until you have the 45 credits required for that area. If you are interested in the second degree in Health and Physical Education, you will have to contact the Health and Physical Education program coordinator, Dr. Jessica Adams at jeadams@kean.edu or by phone 908-737-0654, regarding the courses you will need to take. You will need to apply with the Graduate Admissions Office.
If you are looking for master's program and/or Alternate Route Program in Health and Physical Education, you may want to inquire with other universities who have your specific program:
https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/CEprogramproviders.shtml
I am in the Alternate Route Program and I do not know what classes to register for. Who can I contact?
You will be emailed ahead of time regarding registration and the courses you need to register for the upcoming semester. Alternate Route students must email Ms. Jea Noonan at basubasj@kean.edu.
I am an Alternate Route student in the program. I am unable to register for my courses. Who can assist me with this?
Alternate Route students must email Ms. Jea Noonan at basubasj@kean.edu for a petition to register for courses. If she is unavailable due to sickness or vacation, please email the main office at tchrctpb@kean.edu or call (908) 737-3800.
I am having issues registering for my courses. Who can assist me with this?
If you are having trouble registering for courses, please contact the One Stop Center who will be able to assist you with registration. They are located in the Center of Academic Success (CAS) Building on the 1st floor. You may also call them at (908) 73-REGME, fax them at (908) 737-3299, or by email at regme@kean.edu. Have your Kean ID# ready.
I need some assistance with my application. I also want to know the status of my application. Who can I contact?
You may contact the Graduate Admissions Office via email at gradadmissions@kean.edu or by phone (908) 737-4723. You can also come to the office in K-120.
I would like to meet with an advisor to discuss teacher certification and/or Alternate Route Programs. Who can I contact?
You may call the main office number at (908) 737-3800 to schedule an appointment or by email at tchrctpb@kean.edu. We are open on Mondays to Fridays with the office hours of 8:30AM-4:30PM during the Fall and Spring semesters. During the summer, we are open Monday to Thursday with the office hours of 8:15AM-5:30PM. We are closed on Fridays. Please be aware that some of the staff are remote on certain days.