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Teacher Certification

Thank you for considering Kean University as your Educator Preparation Program (EPP). Changes have been made regarding the process for submission of the Educators certification application . As of May 31, 2022, the New Jersey Department of Education has implemented a new database system resulting in a new expedited process for Educators to pay and receive their certification. Educator is the new term for candidate, graduate/employee. The old system required the Colleges and Universities to create an application for the Educator and pay the NJDOE with the fees collected from the Educator. Moving forward with the new system, rather than the College creating the application and forwarding the fees, they will now nominate the Educator and the Educator will complete an application online and pay the fees directly to the NJDOE. Note the word Nomination replaces the word Recommendation.

Although the Department of Education has made changes to the database, Kean University will require students to submit a certification application WITH required documents. Documents would include Praxis test results, ACTFL OPI/WPT proficiency test results. Additionally, Graduate educators may be required to submit letters of employment on official letterhead from a Principal, District Superintendent or from the District’s Office of Human Resources. The letter must include years of employment and the title of your position.

PRAXIS TESTS

Praxis tests are required for the following majors below. Scores should have a test taker ID, Social Security number and sent to Kean University code 2517 and NJDOE Code 7666. Click HERE for a sample score sheet.

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Middle School endorsement
  • Principal
  • Speech Pathologist
  • All Secondary Education subject areas

How to Access your Praxis Scores:

Your official score report awaits - here’s how you’ll receive it:

  • Praxis Account: Your official score report will be posted in your Praxis account on the score reporting date. An email will notify you when it’s available. If you don’t have an account yet, create one to access your scores.
  • Institutions and Agencies: Your scores will also be sent to the institutions or agencies you selected during registration (up to four choices at no extra cost). They’ll receive the score information. For Kean University students, you must send your Praxis scores to Kean University (code 2517) and NJDOE (code 7666).
  • State Reporting: If you tested in an automatic score reporting state, your scores will be sent automatically to the state.

Online Scores: For scores reported on or after July 21, 2017, you can download them from your account. These scores remain accessible for ten years from the reporting date. We recommend that you save a copy for future reference.

Official Score Report (Pre-2017): To obtain an official score report for scores reported within the last ten years but before July 21, 2017, order an additional score report. Review the details in the Sending Your Scores section.

 Score Reporting:

  • If you test in New Jersey at a test center or at home, and your Praxis profile address is in New Jersey, your score report will be sent automatically to the New Jersey Department of Education.
  • If you test outside New Jersey or your Praxis profile address is not in New Jersey, your scores are NOT automatically sent to the New Jersey Department of Education. For Kean University students, you must send your Praxis scores to Kean University (state code 2517). To have your scores sent to the New Jersey Department of Education, you must select the New Jersey Department of Education (state code 7666) as a score recipient when you register.You are required to send your scores to both Kean University and New Jersey Department of Education.
  • For all methods of Praxis testing, to request additional score reports you must select the New Jersey Department of Education (state code 7666) with each additional score report request.

PROFICIENCY EXAMS

Students applying for the Bilingual/Bicultural certification must submit qualifying scores for English and the Target Language. You must attach your OPI and WPT scores along with your Praxis Scores.

English Language Proficiency Tests. You must present evidence of passing oral and written English language proficiency tests (OPI & WPT). The English OPI must be passed with a score of at least Intermediate High. The English WPT must be passed with a score of at least Advanced Low when the target language WPT score is at Intermediate High. The English WPT must be passed with a score of at least Intermediate High when the target language WPT score is at Advanced Low. Information regarding these tests may be found on the Language Testing International website or by calling Language Testing International by phone at 1-800-486-8444. (Exceptions: Candidates for certification who pass the Department-approved basic skills test will be exempt from taking the written English language proficiency test (WPT) requirement.) 

Target Language Proficiency Tests. You must present evidence of passing oral and written language proficiency tests (OPI & WPT) in your target language. The OPI must be passed with a score of at least Advanced Low. The Target Language WPT must be passed with a score of at least Advanced Low when the English WPT score is at Intermediate High. The Target Language WPT must be passed with a score of at least Intermediate High when the English WPT score is at Advanced Low. Information regarding these tests may be found on the Language Testing International website or by calling Language Testing International by phone at 1-800-486-8444. (Exceptions: Candidates for certification who establish themselves as a speaker of the target language who was primarily educated at the undergraduate or graduate level in that language, as determined by their submitted foreign evaluation transcript(s), will be exempt from taking the oral and written language proficiency tests (OPI & WPT) in their target language.)  

FLEX and LIMITED CEAS

Flex: Students who are utilizing the Flex-Rule or Limited CEAS must attach the letter granting you permission to use the Flex. Students who are using the Limited CEAS are encouraged to pass the Praxis 2 exam to obtain a Regular CEAS as only 10% of school districts can hire candidates with that certificate. 

Limited CEAS: If you decide to use the Limited CEAS option, you will need to attach the Limited CEAS contract with your application for state certification. If you decide that you want to wait until you pass Praxis 2 to obtain a Regular CEAS, please email Ms. Basubas at basubasj@kean.edu. Our office can hold your application for state certification until you email us updated passing Praxis 2 scores. Students have up to one year from program completion to apply for certification through Kean. After the one year time frame, you will have to apply on your own with the NJDOE.

LETTER OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Graduate programs listed below are required to attach a letter of employment indicating the amount of years teaching to be eligible for the certificate. Click HERE for a sample letterhead.

  • Director of Counseling: 3 years
  • Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC): 3 years
  • Reading Specialist: 2 years
  • Principal: 5 years
  • Supervisor: 3 years
  • (Standard) Bilingual/Bicultural: 2 years

Please send in your certification application via email to our office email or staff at tchrctpb@kean.edu. When sending your documents, please scan them. Do not send us a photo. A photo shot is hard to read and on many occasions we will not be able to open the forms.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
The Office of Teacher Certification will apply to the NJDOE for your certification once your degree/program has been conferred AND confirmed on your official transcript.

Your NJ teaching credential is only retrievable online after you have accepted your nomination. Paper certifications are NO LONGER being issued as of May 15, 2015. You can check under My Certifications when your certification has been awarded and can be printed. You can also check in this link: https://njdoe.my.site.com/manage/s/

For questions, email tchrctpb@kean.edu or call (908) 737-3800.

Here are the steps required during your final semester to get NJ certifications underway:

1. Apply for graduation - As a program completer for the current semester, log into your KeanWISE account and select “apply for graduation.”  This step is required, whether applying for completion of a degree program or a certification program or both. Each degree/certification program is handled individually so be sure to apply accordingly.  Students will be charged a $100 graduation fee upon applying for their degree program.  Note: Certification fees are separate from graduation fees.

Degree Candidates: If you are getting a degree, you are required to fill out a graduation form. The link below will open to Kean Wise. There you will click on “Apply for Graduation”. The application is open at specific times during the year.  The First week of June through the first week of September for January Graduation and the second week of October through the First week in February, for May and August Graduation.

GCT Candidates: If you are only getting certified with no degree involved, your record must be closed and you are required to fill out a graduation form. There is no fee. The link below will open to Kean Wise. There you will click on “Apply for Graduation”. The application is open at specific times during the year. The First week of June through the first week of September for January Graduation and the second week of October through the First week in February, for May and August Graduation.

The Registrar’s Office emails all GCT and Degree candidates with this information. If you are experiencing issues with the graduation application, please contact Ms. Rosa Cameli at rcameli@kean.edu . This is the link: https://www.kean.edu/offices/registrars-office/graduation-information/graduate-certificate-gct-application-instructions

2. Submit an application for state certification – Kean students must apply for NJ state certification through our office for May, August, or January graduates or within one year of completing their corresponding Kean Education program(s). Students will need to submit an application for state certification along with supporting documents (Praxis Core and Praxis 2 scores, Proficiency Exams, Flex letter, Limited CEAS contract, letter of employment, etc). Please do not submit an incomplete application. 

If in the meantime you have further certification questions, please email the main office at tchrctpb@kean.edu.

Deadlines for Applications

May and August Graduates– March 31st

January Graduates – December 1st

3. The nomination process – Nominations begin after your record is closed or degrees are posted by the Registrar’s Office. The nomination process will take place in the Office of Teacher Certification using the information you provided on your application. This process will generate a nomination email to the email account associated with your NJEdCert account, (which should be the same email address you have on file with the NJDOE.) The nomination email will contain a link to take you back into your NJEdCert account so you can accept the nomination(s). This new nomination process is the fastest, most expedited way to achieve certification. 

4. What to Expect – DO NOT CREATE AN ACCOUNT PRIOR TO BEING NOMINATED BY KEAN UNIVERSITY. After the university nominates an Educator for a certificate, you will receive two emails from NJEDCERT system indicating: 1. You were nominated and 2. Asking you to log in and create an account. This process will be emphasized in the emails you will receive. (CHECK YOUR SPAM FOR EMAILS FROM THE NJEDCERT). Make sure you use the email on file, if you already have certificates from the past or if you applied for a substitute certificate. Creating a new email will delay the process. Make sure you also use your legal name as well. Go to your email and it will show you that Kean nominated you for certification. This email invites you to click on www.nj.gov/education/certification.

5. How To Claim Nomination – Proceed with the following directions in order to claim EPP Nomination:

  1. Log into your NJedCert account.
  2. Click the APPLY NOW blue button at the top center of the page.
  3. When you click on the button you should be brought to a page notifying you that your college has nominated you for a certificate.
  4. Asked - Would you like to claim it?
  5. Answer YES and then follow the remaining prompts.
  6. After you pay, go back to the home page where you will see your certification listed.
  7. Click on “License ID” to view your certification. Make a screen shot of the certification approvals.

NOTE: Click on Instructions for Application For State Certification Nomination  for a detailed step by step process.

Need more help? The New Jersey Department of Education has created a 10-Point Checklist  for NJEdCert Applications. Also, see video tutorials for additional help or NJDOE Customer Service:

Hours: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Phone: (609) 292-2070

Additional certifications: Applicants must apply directly with the state for additional certifications for which they may qualify but did not complete a formal Kean program.

Out-of-state licensure: If you plan to relocate to another state, these states require verification of program completion (VOPC) forms, you may email these forms in a PDF format to tchrctpb@kean.edu as needed. You must provide your student teaching/clinical/practicum information along with Praxis scores. In addition, you must provide a permanent address for the office to mail you a hard copy with a University seal.