How the Alternate Route Program Works

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Becoming a Teacher in New Jersey

The New Pathways Alternate Route Program provides a process for individuals to become licensed teachers. The program includes 400 hours (24 credits) of education courses that are taken during candidates' first two years of teaching.

Steps in the Alternate Route Program

  1. Apply to the NJDOE for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE). This allows you to obtain a teaching job. Apply for a CE.
  2. Complete a 50-hour Introduction to Teaching Course. This allows your school to obtain a Provisional License for you.
  3. Begin teaching in the Provisional Teacher Program.
  4. Begin taking the remaining 24 credits of coursework through New Pathways.
  5. Obtain a Standard Certificate to teach in New Jersey when courses are complete and you have two successful year-end teaching evaluations within a three year consecutive period.

How to Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility from the New Jersey Department of Education

Instructional Certificates:

  1. Meet the content requirements. You must have the equivalent of a major in the subject you want to teach or 64 credits in liberal arts for an elementary certificate. Check the requirements. 
  2. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement. The NJDOE requires a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests or an exemption. For more information about test, refer to Test Requirements for Certification in NJ.
  3. Pass the Praxis II Subject Assessment test for the area you plan to teach. For the latest test requirements please visit the Praxis test site.
  4. Submit your CE application to the New Jersey State Department of Education (NJDOE). You will apply online.
  5. Send an official transcript to NJDOE.
  6. For more specific information about the CE application process, you may visit the New Jersey State Department of Education web site or email Licensing.Requests@doe.nj.gov

NPTNJ Courses

The NPTNJ Alternate Route Program is 24 credits over four semesters. The 50-hour, Introduction to Teaching class is offered online at NJCU

Graduate Program Tuition

NPTNJ is a Graduate level for-credit program. Current tuition rates.

Graduate Tuition Tables

Admission Requirements

Admission into the 50-Hour Introduction to Teaching class:
Instructional Candidates: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher from a bachelor’s or master’s degree program.

Admission into semester one courses:
For admission into semester one courses, visit the Online Application.

Early Childhood (P-3)

Elementary (K-6)

Secondary