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Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education
Program Description
The P-3 Modified Alternate Route Program at Montclair State University is approved by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). The program provides the courses necessary for a teacher to apply for P-3 licensure through the NJDOE. The program consists of 7 courses which totals 18 credits. This program is non-degree and non-matriculated. The P-3 program targets employed teachers in pre-kindergarten through third grade classrooms, primarily teachers employed in Abbott districts in the State of New Jersey. Courses are offered at the Montclair State University campus as well as in off campus locations in South Jersey through Cumberland County College and Monmouth County.
Academic Program for P-3 MAR
What Classes Do I Need To Take?
Montclair State University offers the following courses approved by the State Of New Jersey to meet the needs of the P-3 Modified Alternate Route certification:
- ECEL 501 Perspectives in ECEL- 3 credits
- ECEL 516 Social Studies and the Arts: Understanding Democracy in Elementary Classrooms-3 credits
- ECEL 517 Integrating Science & Technology in Early Childhood & Elementary Classrooms - 3 credits
- ECEL 518 Families, Communities & Schools/Diversity, culture & Democracy - 3 credits
*Students must take ECEL 528, 502 and 510 after taking ECEL 501, 516, 517, 518.
- ECEL 528 Early Childhood Curriculum in Inclusive Settings - 3 credits
- ECEL 502 Seminar I - 1 credit
- ECEL 510 Clinical Experience - 2 credits
The program allows you to register for up to 3 courses per semester.
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Application Process
Eligibility for the Program
Teachers who are currently employed in Abbott or non-Abbott pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade classrooms are eligible for the P-3 Modified Alternate Route Program at Montclair State University. If a teacher is employed in an Abbott contracted pre-kindergarten program, they are also eligible for the scholarship provided by the New Jersey Professional Development Center (NJPDC). Public school employees or those in private or non-Abbott centers must pay the tuition for the program on their own. There is no financial aid available for the P-3 Modified Alternate Route Program due to the fact that it is a non-matriculated, non-degree, specialized program.
Teachers must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university. If the teacher graduated from an international college or university, they must submit a transcript evaluation from either WES or another agency approved by Montclair State University.
Teachers must have at least 60 liberal arts credits from their undergraduate or completed graduate degree. In order for a student to be admitted to the P-3 MAR program, their undergraduate or completed graduate degree cumulative average must be at least a 2.5. Students must maintain a 2.75 cumulative average in the P-3 program in order to receive a letter of completion. As of September 1, 2004, the New Jersey Professional Development Center along with the State of New Jersey will be requiring a 2.75 GPA for scholarship money and for a Certificate of Eligibility. If a student is accepted into Montclair State University's P-3 MAR Program and has taken courses at another college or university in an approved P-3 MAR Program, the student must show proof that the courses were completed and a grade of B or better was earned, and then those courses can be applied to Montclair's P-3 Program.
This program is for teachers who are currently employed or who have promise of employment and will begin that employment before the start of their academic program at Montclair State University. Orientation sessions for new P-3 MAR students are held before each new semester. These sessions are required and are extremely helpful.
How to Apply
Please contact the P-3 MAR Office at 973-655-7490 to obtain an application or click on this link for a P-3 Program Application. You should also have your Official Transcripts sent to Montclair State University, Attention: Elizabeth Kendall, P-3 MAR Director, University Hall Room 3187, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey 07043 from your undergraduate university or college.
Complete and return the P-3 Program Application, a $60.00 check or money order for the application fee made out to Montclair State University.
Return to:
Early Childhood, Elementary and Literacy Education Department
P-3 Program,
University Hall Room 3187
Attn: Liz Kendall
Montclair State University
Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
If you are an international student (received undergraduate degree from outside United States) you will need to contact World Education Services (WES) at (800) 937-3895. Application for WES evaluations are also available at The Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services in College Hall 203 at Montclair State University.
New Jersey Early Childhood Scholarship Program
Eligibility Guidelines
- Applicants must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week as an assistant teacher, group teacher, or head teacher. Assistant teachers and group teachers must be teaching in a classroom in a licensed child care center that has contracted with an Abbott District to provide preschool programs.
- Head Teachers, whether or not they teach in an assigned classroom, can be funded to receive their
P-3(Pre-K through Grade 3) certification only. The NJPDC will only fund the cost of P-3 MAR. They will not cover costs for M.A. Program.
- Assistant teachers, group teachers, and head teachers must remain employed in the Abbott-contracted child care center in which they are employed at the time of the initial application for at least one year following the completion of the course(s) taken on scholarship.
- After receiving the scholarship, the applicant must complete:
- all course work
- work for an additional year in the Abbott Contracted Child Care Center in which he/she is employed at the time the application is signed
- submit final grades to the NJPDC
If a student does not comply with the above criteria, he/she will be required to reimburse all scholarships money to the NJPDC and will not be eligible for future scholarships.
- All applications should be received no later than 30 days before the start of each semester to allow adequate time for processing.
- Applications may be obtained from:
New Jersey Professional Development Center Early Childhood Scholarship Office
225 Long Avenue, Bldg. 15
Hillside, New Jersey 07205
Office Main Number: 973-391-2637
Fax Number: 973-391-2634
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Registration
How to Register on WESS
Using the Web Enrollment Service for Students (WESS)
- Go to this website: https://wfs.montclair.edu/ahomepg.htm
- Click on Login to Student Services
- The system is accessed using a nine-digit student ID Number (your social security number) and a Personal ID number (PIN).
- The PIN is a six-digit number, which is initially assigned to all students according to the month, day, and year of birth that is in the system. For example, if your date of birth were July 12, 1975, the assigned PIN would be 071275.
- After successful entry of a valid SID and PIN Click on Registration & Schedule.
- Click on Drop/Add Classes
- From the drop down menu choose the term you would like to register for.
- Enter Call Numbers for the appropriate class.
Group Registration Sessions
Dates to be announced
Schedule of Classes
See separate attachment
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Contact Us
P-3 Personnel
Faculty:
CUMMBERLAND COUNTY COLLEGE CONTACTS:
Licensing & Credentials
609-292-2741 (Best time to call is between 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
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Resource Links
Helpful Resource Links for P-3 Modified Alternate Route Students
New Jersey Department of Education Early Childhood
New Jersey Professional Development Center
Scholarship Office
National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC)
Teacher Education Advocacy Center at Montclair State University
Department of Early Childhood/Elementary/Literacy Education at MSU
Registrar's Office
Bursar's Office
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FAQ
10 Frequently Asked Questions about the P-3 MAR Program*
- Where are classes held?
Classes for the P-3 Modified Alternate Route, through Montclair State University, are held at the Montclair State University campus as well as at various off campus sites: Neptune, Vineland, Camden, and Pleasantville.
- How do I know where MY class will be held?
Before registering, using the WESS system accessed from Montclair State University's website, you must consult the Course Information Sheet listing all the course information for the particular P-3 program you plan to attend; North Jersey, Central Jersey, or South Jersey. It is critically important that you refer to the Course Information Sheet, which is available through the P-3 Offices at Montclair, for students in Northern New Jersey and Central Jersey. For students in Southern New Jersey, the Course Information Sheet is available through the P-3 Office at Cumberland County College.
- How do I register?
All P-3 students must register for classes using the WESS system. If you do not have access to a computer, you may come to the P-3 office or you can access one of the many computer labs on campus. The P-3 office will also set aside two or three dates when we will have a computer lab available specifically for P-3 students who would like assistance with registration.
- How much does the program cost?
The cost, per credit, for the modified alternate route post-baccalaureate program is
$582.89 per credit. Tuition and fees are ultimately the responsibility of the student. Even if a student has been approved for a scholarship from the New Jersey Professional Development Center (NJPDC), the responsibility for any payments due to Montclair State University lies with the student.
- How do I know if I am eligible for a NJPDC scholarship and how do I apply?
Any student who is employed 30 hours or more in an Abbott Contracted Child Care Center and is teaching in an Abbott Classroom, and has an undergraduate or completed graduate degree, cumulative average of **2.75, may apply for a scholarship.
Please call the NJPDC for clarification of grade point average requirements.
- What is a C.E.?
A Certificate of Eligibility, or a C.E., is issued to the student who has applied to the State of New Jersey for the document. There is a cumulative average requirement. Please check on the D.O.E. licensing and credentials website for the most current information. The Certificate of Eligibility is just that; it makes a person eligible to seek employment in the public schools in New Jersey. For P-3 Modified Alternate Route students, you should apply for a Pre-School through Grade 3 Certificate of Eligibility. Applications are available through the P-3 office at Montclair State and should be available from your center or from your district board of education.
- What do I do about Mentoring?
Mentoring and its implementation seem to vary from district to district. The best way to find out how the mentoring works in your district is to consult the district board of education. Also, the New Jersey Department of Education has a website that helps to answer questions about mentoring. www.state.nj.njded/ece/us/_faq.htm
- What happens if I find that I can't attend a course and the semester has already started?
If, for whatever reason, you decide you can't take a course that you are registered for in a particular semester, you MUST WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE BY THE WITHDRAWAL DEADLINES STIPULATED BY THE UNIVERSITY CALENDAR OF DATES. This calendar is available in the Schedule of Courses booklet, which can be obtained in College Hall outside the Registrar's Office, or you can access this information on the MSU website.
- What do I do after I finish the P-3 classes?
When your P-3 classes are finished, you must call the P-3 Office and request a LETTER OF COMPLETION. When requesting this, please leave your social security number and your HOME address. You must also request an official transcript from the Registrar's Office at MSU.
- What do I do if I decide I would like to continue my education and enter into MAT program?
If you decide that you would like to APPLY for the Masters of Arts in Teaching program, you MUST apply within two years of completing the P-3 Modified Alternate Route Program. You need to get an application from the Graduate Office and follow all the admission procedures outlined in that application. If you are accepted into the MAT P-3 program, all of the credits from your P-3 Modified Alternate Route Program, providing you received a B or better, will be accepted and counted toward you MAT P-3 program. If you decide you would like to pursue an MAT K-8 K-5 program, approximately 6 credits from you P-3 MAR program will count toward your MAT K-8 K-5. For clarification, before applying for either program, please call the P-3 Office or the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Literacy Department.
*If your question has not been addressed here, please do not hesitate to call the P-3 Office, 973-655-7490, and we will be happy to try to answer all your questions and address all your concerns.
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