Office of Teacher Certification and Alternate Route Programs
About
Office of Teacher Certification and Alternate Route Programs
📍 Location: Hennings Hall, 2nd Floor (214)
🏛 Kean University, College of Education
📞 Phone: (908) 737-3800
📧 Email: tchrctpb@kean.edu
The Office of Teacher Certification and Alternate Route Programs is the central hub for certification guidance and support for aspiring educators at Kean University and is hosted in the College of Education. Whether you are pursuing initial teacher certification, additional endorsements, or an alternate route to teaching, our office is here to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.
What We Do
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Oversee certification nominations, applications, and program advising to ensure all candidates meet NJDOE requirements.
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Support for Alternate Route Educators
We provide guidance and support for educators enrolled in Alternate Route Degree and Non-Degree Programs, including:
Contact Information
📧 Alternate Route Program Inquiries
Vicel Valenzuela
Academic Specialist, Teacher Certification & Alternate Route
Email: valenzuv@kean.edu
➡️ Contact Vicel for questions about the Alternate Route Program and related courses.
📧 Main Teacher Certification Inquiries
Jea Lizz Noonan, Ph.D.
Professional Services Specialist, Teacher Certification & Alternate Route Programs
Email: basubasj@kean.edu
➡️ Contact Dr. Noonan for questions regarding teacher certification requirements and processes.
📧 Overall Program Director
Meredith Riddle, Ed.D.
Acting Director, Teacher Certification and Alternate Route Programs
Email: mriddle@kean.edu
➡️ Dr. Riddle provides overall leadership for Teacher Certification and Alternate Route initiatives.
Office Hours
Fall/Spring
Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Virtual and In-Person Appointments are available by request!
Summer
Monday to Thursday 8:15 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday CLOSED
Virtual and In-Person Appointments are available by request!
For holidays, please check the Kean Calendar for the list of official State of New Jersey holidays and the status of the University on the dates observed. The office is closed on those holidays.
APPLY
Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) from the NJ Department of Education (NJDOE). For more information on the CE application process, go to: nj.gov/education/cte/resources/tcert.
Requirements for a CE include:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree
- 3.0 GPA or above
- Pass Praxis 2 for your Instructional Certificate
- Hygiene test
OBTAIN
A CE is given once all application requirements are met. After you apply and obtain your CE, you can accept employment as a teacher in a classroom. You will need a CE to be employed in a New Jersey public school.
COMPLETE
Complete a 50-hour program with engaging online course materials and 20 hours of classroom observations in a P-12 school.
APPLY TO AN EPP
Apply to Kean’s Alternate Route Program for your Education Preparation Program (EPP) and complete the 24 credits. The following items are needed for admission:
- Online application
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Proof of CE
- VOPC form
- Letter of employment as a teacher of record
PARTICIPATE IN THE PTP
Undergo the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP) and meet mentoring and evaluation requirements. Your school district will register you for a provisional license that will be valid for two years. The PTP is a school-based training and evaluation program.
MENTORING
The school district will implement a mentorship plan for you during your two-year provisional period. This plan includes support from a mentor with the same credentials and supervision and evaluation by a certified supervisor.
COMPLETE
Successfully complete the PTP and apply for standard certification. Kean will issue you a Verification of Program Completion (VOPC) for the Alternate Route Program. Once your school district has the VOPC, they will send a recommendation to the NJDOE for your standard teaching certificate.
