Modified Alternate Route (MAR) / P-3 Certification

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 MAR program targets employed teachers in pre-kindergarten through third grade classrooms. 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
• Application Process
• Registration
• Contact Us
• Resource Links
• FAQ

Early Childhood Education Modified Alternative Route Brochure The P-3 MAR Program is designed for working teachers who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and would like to complete the courses necessary to apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) from the New Jersey Department of Education for preschool through third grade (P-3). View Program Brochure - Early Childhood Education Modified Alternative Route

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:

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Application Process:

Eligibility for the Program

Teachers who are currently employed in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade classrooms are eligible for the P-3 Modified Alternate Route Program at Montclair State University.

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. 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. If those requirements have been met then those courses can be applied as credit to Montclair's P-3 Program. The state of New Jersey requires a 2.75 GPA, a passing P-3 Praxis score, and completion of the 24 hour pre-service course to be eligible for a C.E. (Certificate of Eligibility)

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 2154, 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 2154
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 Graduate School in College Hall 203 at Montclair State University.

As of January 2011 the P-3 MAR Program is now able to accept FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID.

Students who meet Federal requirements can now apply for federal student aid. Please refer to the link below for information and directions. Students must apply for aid by the deadline. There is a deadline for both the federal government as well as for Montclair State University. For information on Montclair State University's deadline to submit your FAFSA please contact the Financial Aid office by telephone at (973) 655-4460, College Hall, Room 208 between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday through Friday with late hours Mondays and Thursdays until 7:00 pm, or via email.



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Registration:

How to Register on 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
Call P-3 Office (973) 655-7490

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Contact Us:

P-3 Personnel

Elizabeth Kendall, P-3 Director
kendalle@mail.montclair.edu
(973) 655-7490

Nancy Rosario-Layne, P-3 Assistant Coordinator
rosariolaynn@mail.montclair.edu
(973) 655-6909

Kelly Stern, Program Assistant
sternk@mail.montclair.edu
(973) 655-7490

Faculty

CUMBERLAND COUNTY COLLEGE CONTACTS:

Diane Cavagnaro, Coordinator
dcavagnaro@cccnj.edu
(856) 691-8600 extension 422

MONMOUTH COUNTY COLLEGE CONTACTS:

Monmouth NJ Coastal Communiversity
Wall Township
Nancy Rosario-Layne
(973) 655-6909

Licensing & Credentials

NJ Department of Education
(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

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:

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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 Office 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.
    
3. 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.
   
   
4. How much does the program cost?
   The cost, per credit, for the modified alternate route post-baccalaureate program is dependent upon the current Montclair State University tuition rates. Tuition and fees are ultimately the responsibility of the student. Click here for further information.
   
   
5. 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.
   
   
6. What do I do about Mentoring?
   Mentoring for the P-3 MAR program student consists of the student being assigned a mentor. The mentor will visit the student's school to observe the student as a teacher for a period of three hours. Mentoring for the P-3 MAR Program is course ECEL 510, Clinical Exp. I. This is the last class that students register for before completing the program. Before students can register for the course a Clinical Application must be filled out and faxed to the office. The form can be obtained by calling the P-3 MAR office. Once the application is received from the student, a permit to the ECEL 510 is approved, and the student can then register for the course.
   
   
7. 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. You can access this information on the MSU website.
   
   
8. 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 student ID number and your HOME address. You must also request an official transcript from the Registrar's Office at MSU.
   
   
9. 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.
   
   
10. How do I pay for the P-3 MAR Program?
    There are various ways you can pay for the P-3 MAR Program. You can utilize the payment plan offered by Montclair State University. Please contact the Bursars Office for more information. You can also apply for a Sally Mae Loan or apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

*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.