I already have a college degree

Steps to becoming a teacher in New Jersey:

• Traditional Route 1: New Jersey Initial Teaching Certification


The following are the steps that must be taken in order to earn your initial teaching certification in New Jersey the traditional way (ie. completing a teacher preparation program prior to entering the classroom).

Under the traditional route to certification, you will apply for the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing. You will then be issued a Provisional Certification.


• Step 1:
  You must have completed a teacher preparation program from an accredited institution. Teacher Preparation Programs.


• University of Phoenix
• Walden University
• Capella University
• Ashford University


• Step 2:
  If your degree was completed before September 1^st 2004, your GPA must be 2.5 or higher. If your degree was completed after this date, your GPA must be 2.75 or higher.


• Step 3:
  You must pass the Praxis II subject exam for the subjects you wish to teach.
  
  Each subject assessment requires a test score service fee of $20 by check or money order made payable to the "Commission of Education"


• Step 4:
  You must pass an examination in physiology and hygiene. This examination is administered at New Jersey County Offices of Education.


• Step 5:
  The following are the requirements and documents you will need before sending your application to the New Jersey Department of Education:
  • Official Transcripts of all college courses you have completed.
  • Praxis scores must be sent directly from the ETS to the NJDOE
  • For more information about procedures and requirements, including fee schedules for all New Jersey Certificates, Download the Certification Manual.
  • Your Teacher Preparation Institution should provide the application packet and also have this packet sent to the NJDOE. However, you may wish to either apply for certification online or through a paper application sent by yourself, you may send your application to the following location.
  
  
  Send materials to this address:
  New Jersey Department of Education
  Office of Licensing and Credentials
  P.O. Box 500
  Trenton, NJ. 08625-0500
  
  
  Or request more information by contacting a representative at the New Jersey Department of Education at (609) 292-2070


• Step 6:


Sit back and relax!

• Route 2: New Jersey Alternative Teacher Certification


The alternative certification allows the candidate to enter the classroom as a teacher prior to the completion of a teacher preparation program.

You will need to enter a New Jersey induction/mentoring program in order to qualify for a standard certification.


• Step 1
Read and understand the information given regarding the Provisional Teacher Preparation Program.


• Step 2:
For the alternate teacher certification program, you will need to apply online.


• Step 3:
Call the Provisional Teacher Program Training Unit at (609) 984-6377


• Step 4:
  Sit Back and Relax!




Back to New Jersey Teacher Certification/Credentialing
Or, Steps to become a teacher in New Jersey

Learn about the requirements of another state by clicking on one of the state certification links to your left.

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