Alternate Route Programs
Has teaching always been your passion? 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.
Overview of the Alternate Route Program
Kean University’s 2-year non-degree Alternate Route Program provides a process for individuals to become licensed P-3 or TESOL teachers. The program includes 400 hours (24 credits) of education courses that are taken during candidates' first two years of teaching or over four semesters (Fall and Spring).
To be eligible for the Alternate Route Program and in the field of education, the state of New Jersey requires all candidates to apply for their Certificate of Eligibility (CE). These are 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 for Early Childhood Education/P-3 (https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/testing/req/ )
4) Proficiency Exams (OPI and WPT) – those seeking TESOL certification
Programs Offered at Kean University
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.
Early Childhood Education/P-3 CE Requirements
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Applicants who hold a CE in Preschool through Grade 3 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 provisional licensure, you must enroll in a Department approved New Jersey college or university program. Current regulations do not permit provisional teachers working under a Preschool through Grade 3 endorsement to teach in a P3 setting while attending a Preschool through Grade 3 program outside of New Jersey. Please consult the Office of Certification and Induction if you have any questions before enrolling in an out of state or online P-3 program.
Special Note: While some nonpublic schools or child development centers will employ you without a CE in hand, you must have a CE in P-3 in order to complete the specialized alternate route courses and the PTP mentoring and evaluation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Applicants who hold a CE in English as a Second Language and accept employment into a teaching position requiring the certificate must enroll in a Department-approved ESL program at a New Jersey institution program consisting of 15 to 21 credit hours of formal instruction while employed provisionally to secure standard licensure. Please consult the Office of Licensure if you have any questions before enrolling in an out of state or online English as a Second Language program.
Limited CE
Kean University is not participating with Limited CE at this time. We are only accepting those with a regular CE. You may check the list of CE program providers you can inquire with these universities if they are participating with Limited CE.
Require Courses for Early Childhood Education/P-3:
Program Requirements
|
FOUNDATIONS OF EC & FS |
3 |
|
|
LNG&READ&THGHT YNG CH THRY&PRA |
3 |
|
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DESIGNING AND MANAGING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION |
3 |
|
|
ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING |
3 |
|
|
DEV THEORIES FOR TEACH EC & FS |
3 |
|
|
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT |
3 |
|
|
CREATING PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES PARENTING EDUCATION |
3 |
|
|
INTEGRATING TECH INTO EC CURR |
3 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 24
Require Courses for TESOL:
General Methods 3
|
CURRICULUM, EVALUATION & THE LEARNER |
3 |
Historical, Linguistic and Cultural Backgrounds
|
GENERAL LINGUISTICS |
3 |
|
|
SEMINAR IN THE PHONOLOGY & STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN ENGLISH |
3 |
|
|
CULTURE, COGNITION & COMMUNICATION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS |
3 |
|
|
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING |
3 |
Techniques of Teaching ESL/EFL Students 9
|
METHODS FOR TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN ESL/EFL SETTINGS: STANDARDS BASED APPROACH |
3 |
|
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SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION & FIELD EXPERIENCE IN ESL/EFL SETTINGS |
3 |
|
|
ACADEMIC ENGLISH ACROSS THE CONTENT AREAS FOR L2 LEARNERS WITH INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY |
3 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 24
Steps in the Alternate Route Program
*Note: Information is taken from the New Jersey Department of Education.
Step 1: Establishing Eligibility
Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
Step 2: Employment and Provisional Teacher Process (PTP)
Provisional Certificate
Step 3: Becoming Permanently Certified
Standard Teaching Certificate
Additional Resources
NJDOE Office of Licensing and Academic Credentials: 609- 292-2070, Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
NJDOE website: http://www.state.nj.us/education Go to Licensing and you can apply on line for your Certificate of Eligibility or track its progress.
Admission Requirements
To enroll in our P-3 or TESOL Alternate Route Programs, you must have the following requirements:
1) Evidence of a Regular Certificate of Eligibility (CE) in P-3 or TESOL
2) Proof of 50 hours pre-service workshops completed (verification form)
3) Proof of full time employment/contract to teach
In addition to the University’s admission requirements, candidates must also:
1) apply with Graduate Admissions
2) have a current resume
3) obtain official transcripts
4) and two (2) recommendation letters
Need assistance with the application process? Contact the Graduate Admissions Office NOT the Alternate Route Office via email at gradadmissions@kean.edu or by phone (908) 737-4723. You can also come to their main office in K-120.
Application Deadline
August 15 – Fall Admission
December 15 – Spring Admission
*Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space availability basis
Master’s Program for P-3 or TESOL
Those who completed our P-3 or TESOL Alternate Route Programs are also able to apply for the M.A. degree tracks in Early Childhood Education and English as a Second Language for additional 12 credits in Early Childhood and 9 credits for English as a Second Language.