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Winter Weather Announcement

All classes and activities at Kean Ocean will continue to be conducted remotely through Sunday, March 1, due to ongoing power issues.

This remote schedule applies only to Kean Ocean. Kean’s main campus in Union and Kean Skylands will operate as normal. 

Only essential personnel should report in person for work at Kean Ocean during this time. Employees with questions about their status should consult their supervisor.

Alternate Route Programs

Has teaching always been your passion? There are two pathways to becoming a teacher in New Jersey:

  • The traditional route program is designed for those who have completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university and wish to become a New Jersey-certified teacher. Traditional Route teachers earn a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS). This could be a master's degree and includes student teaching.
  • The Alternate Route Program is a non-traditional teacher preparation program designed for those who have not completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university but wish to obtain the necessary training to become a New Jersey-certified teacher. Alternate Route teachers earn a Certificate of Eligibility (CE).    You will be hired as a teacher and get paid with teacher's salary.

Upcoming ALTERNATE ROUTE Virtual Inquiry Sessions:
🔹 Held every 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Please register using the link below.

                                                                              

Attend A Virtual Information Session

 

 

Teacher uses a cube to teach math to a pre-school class
In a 4th grade classroom a teacher hovers over a math lesson

At Kean University College of Education, we offer the following Alternate Route Programs designed to support educators on their journey to obtaining either a permanent or standard license. These programs include:

  • 50-hour Pre-service Program
    An introductory course offering 50 hours of instruction to prepare you for the Alternate Route Program.

  • P-3 Program
    Tailored for those who are interested in working with elementary-aged students, this pathway includes both preparation and mentoring.

  • TESOL 

    Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) The teaching English as a second or other language (TESOL) degree and certification programs are specifically designed for those who want to teach ESL classes. In these programs, you'll learn about language acquisition, linguistics, and methods of teaching ESL and EFL (English as a foreign language).

  • Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) certification Track A 
    Candidates seeking special education certification who are general education certification candidates under the Alternate Route Program.

  • Certification: Bilingual Education Option

Each of these pathways is structured to include comprehensive preparation or coursework, formal certification, personalized mentoring, and continual evaluation as you advance toward earning your teaching license.

Overview of the Alternate Route Program – Kean University College of Education

Alternate Route Programs Offered Through the College of Education 

P–3 Specialized Alternate Route ProgramGraduate, Non-Degree
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) Alternate RouteGraduate, Non-Degree
Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement (TOSD)Graduate, Non-Degree
Graduate Early Childhood EndorsementGraduate, Non-Degree
Early Childhood Education (M.A.)Graduate, Degree
Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL)Graduate, Degree
Certification Program in Bilingual/Bicultural EducationGraduate, Non-Degree

Our programs are designed to provide high-quality, flexible pathways for aspiring and current educators to excel in their teaching careers.

Kean University Child Care Center

Prior to Employment

To be eligible for the Alternate Route Program and in the field of education, the state of New Jersey requires all candidates to apply for their Certificate of Eligibility (CE). These are the basic requirements are:

1) Bachelor's or higher degree (must submit a degree-posted college transcript)

2) GPA of 3.0 or higher (If you graduated before September 1, 2016, the GPA is 2.75.)

3) Qualifying Score: Praxis II Subject Test (https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/testing/req/ )

4) Proficiency Exams (OPI and WPT) – for those seeking TESOL certification

5) Physiology/Hygiene Test (County Superintendent of Schools) 

Upon Employment

Once hired as a teacher of record, long-term substitute, or maternity leave position, an Alternate Route candidate must enroll in an approved Certificate of Eligibility Program to accrue an additional 400 hours of formal training and instruction or enter a graduate-level program for credits.

Becoming Permanently Certified

The standard certificate is a permanent certificate issued to a teacher who has met all requirements for state certification. The district/school will request the issuance of a standard teaching certificate upon successful completion of the Provisional Teacher Process (PTP). 

Note: A candidate cannot apply for the standard certificate; this certificate is requested by a school district.

To receive a standard certificate, the following must occur:

  • District/school verified mentoring completion in NJEdCert.
  • District/school submitted the final summative ratings for each school year in NJEdCert.
  • Certificate of Eligibility Educator Preparation Program (CE EPP) submitted the appropriate Verification of Program Completion form.
  • The educator completed an Oath of Allegiance and submitted payment in NJEdCert once recommended by the district/school.
  • NJEdCert: Apply for Certification

Alternative Route to Teaching Coursework 
Early Childhood Education/P-3 CE Requirements

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Applicants who hold a CE in Preschool through Grade 3 are required to attend a state-approved Preschool through Grade 3 program consisting of a minimum of 24 semester hours credits to secure full licensure. Please note that the program will increase to 30 credits effective Fall 2025. If you plan to seek work in New Jersey under a P-3 CE and complete the 24 semester-hour credits while working under provisional licensure, you must enroll in a department-approved New Jersey college or university program. Current regulations do not permit provisional teachers working under a Preschool through Grade 3 endorsement to teach in a P3 setting while attending a Preschool through Grade 3 program outside of New Jersey. Please consult the Office of Certification and Induction if you have any questions before enrolling in an out-of-state or online P-3 program.

TESOL CE Requirements

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Applicants who hold a CE in English as a Second Language and accept employment into a teaching position requiring the certificate must enroll in a Department-approved ESL program at a New Jersey institution consisting of 15 to 21 credit hours of formal instruction, while employed provisionally to secure standard licensure. Please consult the Office of Licensure if you have any questions before enrolling in an out-of-state or online English as a Second Language program.

Limited CE

Kean University is not participating in Limited CE at this time. We are only accepting those with a regular CE. You may check the list of CE program providers you can inquire with these universities if they are participating in Limited CE.

Required Courses for Early Childhood Education/P-3:

Program Requirements

EC 5000FOUNDATIONS OF EC & FS3
EC 5100LNG&READ&THGHT YNG CH THRY&PRA3
EC 5111DESIGNING AND MANAGING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION3
EC 5222ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING3
EC 5230DEV THEORIES FOR TEACHING EC & FS3
EC 5275INTEGRATED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT3
EC 5320CREATING PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES PARENTING EDUCATION3
EC 5500INTEGRATING TECH INTO EC CURR3

      TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 24  Please note the program will increase to 30 credits effective Fall 2025.

Required Courses for TESOL:

General Methods 3

EDUC 5300CURRICULUM, EVALUATION & THE LEARNER3

Historical, Linguistic, and Cultural Backgrounds

ENG 5105GENERAL LINGUISTICS3
ENG 5130SEMINAR IN THE PHONOLOGY & STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN ENGLISH3
TESL 5404CULTURE, COGNITION & COMMUNICATION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS3
TESL 5435LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING3

Techniques of Teaching ESL/EFL Students 9

TESL 5420/EMSE 5420METHODS FOR TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN ESL/EFL SETTINGS: STANDARDS-BASED APPROACH3
TESL 5810SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION & FIELD EXPERIENCE IN ESL/EFL SETTINGS3
TESL 5500ACADEMIC ENGLISH ACROSS THE CONTENT AREAS FOR L2 LEARNERS WITH INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY3

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 24

 

Steps in the Alternate Route Program

*Note: Information is taken from the New Jersey Department of Education.

Step 1: Establishing Eligibility

Certificate of Eligibility (CE)

Step 2: Employment and Provisional Teacher Process (PTP)

Provisional Certificate

Step 3: Becoming Permanently Certified

Standard Teaching Certificate

Additional Resources

NJDOE Office of Licensing and Academic Credentials: 609 292-2070, Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

NJDOE website: http://www.state.nj.us/education. Go to Licensing and you can apply online for your Certificate of Eligibility or track its progress.

Admission Requirements

To enroll in our P-3 or TESOL Alternate Route Programs, you must have the following requirements:

1) Evidence of a Regular Certificate of Eligibility (CE) in P-3, TOSD, or TESOL

2) Proof of 50 hours of pre-service workshops completed (verification form)

3) Proof of full-time employment/contract to teach as a teacher of record, long-term substitute, or maternity leave position. 

In addition to the University’s admission requirements, candidates must also:

1) Apply with Graduate Admissions

2) Have a current resume

3) Obtain official transcripts

4) and two (2) recommendation letters

Need assistance with the application process? Kean University - Graduate Inquiry Form

Application Deadlines

  • August 15 – Fall Admission
  • December 15 – Spring Admission

*Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space availability basis

 

For More Information, please complete the linked form for follow-up contact.

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 course information.

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 related to teacher certification requirements and processes.

Overall Program Direction:
📧 Meredith Riddle, Ed.D.
Acting Director, Teacher Certification and Alternate Route Programs
Email: mriddle@kean.edu
➡️ Dr. Riddle oversees all Teacher Certification and Alternate Route initiatives.