Alternate Route Teacher Certification

Admission Requirements

To earn this certification, you’ll also need to be admitted to Montclair’s nationally recognized Teacher Education and Certification program.

To apply, you must have:

• Submit a NJDOE Certificate of Eligibility [Montclair participates in NJ DOE’s Limited CE Pilot program]. Required for Elementary or Subject-Matter Alternate Route Programs. While a CE is not required for admission to the Modified P3 Alternate Route, individuals must hold a CE or Limited CE to qualify for full-time employment as a teacher of record in a New Jersey public school.
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a standard cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. You may apply for a Limited CE if you have a GPA between 2.5 and 2.99
• Secure full-time employment for the Elementary and Subject Area Alternate Route. You may be conditionally admitted to P-3 without employment (for the first six credits).
• Pass the Praxis II for your certification area.
• Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
• *F1/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program. 

Admission Checklist

• Application Deadline:
  • Fall Semester: Application must be completed two weeks before the first day of the semester. See Academic Calendar for dates.
  • Spring Semester: Application must be completed two weeks before the first day of the semester. See Academic Calendar for dates.
• Once you apply and your application is reviewed, you’ll participate in an admissions interview before a decision is made – which typically occurs within 4 weeks.
• Online Application: Submit application and $60 non-refundable fee (or waiver if applicable).
• Transcript: One from each college attended.
• Portrait of a Teacher Essay: Pick one of the following standards and write a two-page essay addressing the questions below.
  • Standard 1: Understand critical thinking and problem solving and create learning experiences that promote the development of students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills and dispositions
  • Standard 2: Understand principles of democracy and plan and carry out instruction that promotes democratic values and communication in the classroom
  • In a cohesive essay of two pages, please address the following:
    • In your life as a citizen, student, and future teacher of this society, what experiences are reflective of this standard? Additionally, what experiences in your life have conflicted with this standard? Envision yourself as a teacher. How would you foster a classroom climate that would promote this standard in your discipline? You might begin by reflecting on some of your own classroom experiences as a student. Which things would you do differently and which would you emulate in creating such a classroom climate?
• Standardized Test Scores: See information on the Center for Student Success and Educator Excellence. Praxis II scores in content area are required.
• Certificate of Eligibility
• Resume: Required
• 50 hour Pre-Professional Experience:  May be satisfied by taking: SASE 210, Public Purposes of Education or an hours-based course at another institution with 20 hours field experience in a 50-hour class. If not taken at Montclair, a transcript must be submitted with application.

Understanding the Alternate Route Process

Interested in taking the Alternate Route to becoming a certified teacher? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process you’ll need to follow.

1. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) from the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE). This authorizes you to seek and accept employment in a New Jersey public school. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher, meet the subject matter requirements, pass the Praxis II exam for the certification area you’re seeking, and take the Physiology and Hygiene Test.
2. Once you’ve obtained your CE, you accept employment as the lead teacher in a classroom. 
3. Apply to an Alternate Route Program approved by the NJDOE. Here’s where Montclair comes in – you’ll take your 50-credit Pre-Professional Service Course with us, which is what you’ll need to complete to get your provisional license. To apply, you’ll need your resume, application, transcripts, and a Portrait of a Teacher personal essay to be considered for admission.
4. Complete the 50-credit Pre-Professional Service Course.
5. Enter the Provisional Teacher Program and meet mentoring and evaluation requirements. This happens after you obtain a teaching position in a public school, complete the 50-hour pre-professional service course, and provide your school district with a Verification of Program Completion. You’ll be issued a provisional teaching certificate, valid for two years, and paired with a mentor in your district for 30 weeks. You’ll also need to have two evaluations of Effective or higher within the past 3 years.
6. Meet the program course requirements. You’ll also be assigned a Montclair mentor to help you on your journey.
7. Successfully complete the Provisional Teacher process and apply for standard certification. When you’re done, we’ll issue your Verification of Program Completion, and you’ll be on your way!