Alternate Route FAQs
What are the requirements for Alternate Route Programs in New Jersey?
To be eligible for the Alternate Route Program and in the field of education, the state of New Jersey requires all candidates to have at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. To obtain a CE from the NJ Department of Education, the basic requirements are:
1) earned a Bachelor's or higher degree (must submit a degree posted college transcript)
2) overall GPA of 3.0 or higher (If you graduated before September 1, 2016, the GPA is a 2.75.)
3) Praxis II (based on certification option) *OPI and WPT for ESL/TESOL
What is the structure of the Alternate Route Program?
The Alternate Route Program consists of 24 credits (4 semesters) and may be started in the fall or spring semester. Students typically take 2 courses each semester. Courses are offered in-person only at this time.
Students cannot finish their program early as the Alternate Route is a 2 year program. They must teach and have 2 full years of evaluations under their Provisional License.
When are the courses offered? What time do they start?
The courses are only offered at night. The class(es) meet once a meet. You can have a class that starts at 4;30PM-7:15PM or as late as 7:30PM-10:15PM. Unfortunately, the courses are conducted in person. We do not offer online courses at this time.
How many years is the Alternate Route Program?
The Alternate Route Program is a 2-year non-degree program. It is a program offering the courses required for certification by the district/school. Completion of this certificate by itself does not result in certification. You must be working under your Provisional License while taking your courses. In addition, you must be mentored, evaluated, and observed for two full years. Students are recommended for certification by their district/school upon successful completion of Mentoring. District/School require evaluations, and the completion of this certificate.
What do I need to apply?
Please submit the following documents to be eligible for the Alternate Route Program in addition to other supporting documents needed by the Graduate Admissions Office:
- Proof of full time employment/contract to teach
- Evidence of a Regular Certificate of Eligibility (CE) in P-3 or ESL
- Proof of 50 hours pre-service workshops completed (verification form)
What is the link to apply to the Alternate Route Programs?
Here is the link to apply: https://cougarapp.kean.edu/portal/login
What is the cost for tuition for the Alternate Route Programs?
Click here for the tuition information: https://www.kean.edu/offices/student-accounting/tuition-and-fees-2023-2024
When should I apply?
The Alternate Route Program admits students for fall and spring semesters. The recommended deadlines are August 15 (fall), December 15 (spring).
What Alternate Route Programs do you offer?
Kean University only offers two Alternate Route Programs: Early Childhood Education (P-3) and ESL (English as a Second Language). However, we have a list of other colleges participating in Alternate Route Programs who have other programs available. The website is https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/CEprogramproviders.shtml
It is advised that you go to a school that offers your specific major. Our 50 hours are only for candidates who have a CE in Early Childhood/P-3 or English as a Second Language (ESL). You must provide proof of CE in an email attachment.
What are the GPA requirements for Alternate Route Programs?
- If you graduated before September 1, 2004, the GPA requirement was a 2.5.
- If you graduated after September 1, 2004, the GPA requirement was a 2.75.
- If you graduated after September 1, 2016, the new GPA requirement is a 3.0.
Do you participate with Limited CE?
Kean University is not participating with Limited CE at this time. If you have an updated CE, please submit that to our Graduate Admissions Office As Soon As Possible. We are only accepting those with a regular CE (Limited CE’s are Not accepted). We have a list of CE program providers you can inquire with these universities if they are participating with Limited CE: https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/CEprogramproviders.shtml
Does Kean University require edTPA?
No, as of January 2023, Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill doing away with a state-mandated test for people who want to teach in New Jersey. The law eliminates the requirement for prospective teachers to take the Education Teacher Performance Assessment, or edTPA, before they can become eligible for a permanent standard teaching certificate. This means that edTPA has been eliminated in the state of New Jersey.
Once I complete the program, how will I get my Standard license?
After the completion of all required coursework with a 3.0 grade point average along with final evaluations and summative reports, the school districts not Kean University will nominate you for the standard license using the New Department system, NJEDCERT portal at www.nj.gov/education/certification
You must have two years of teaching under a Provisional License with a year-end evaluation of "Effective" or higher. Once the school district nominates you for the standard license, the nomination will generate a verification of program completion form electronically, sent to the Office of Teacher Certification to complete. The Department of Education will award the appropriate license for Early Childhood, P-3 or English as a Second Language.
Do the credits from this program count towards a master’s degree?
Yes, our master’s program in Early Childhood/P-3 and ESL are for those who hold a CEAS or Standard License. If you have completed the 24 credits in P-3 or ESL, you are eligible to apply to Kean University’s Master’s Program in P-3 or ESL.
P-3 = 12 credits
ESL = 9 credits
Go to this link to apply: https://www.kean.edu/offices/admissions/graduate/graduate-application-instructions/graduate-application-instructions
I have to defer a semester due to personal reasons. Would this interfere with my program and/or employment?
No, Personal obligations do happen. If you need to defer a semester, your status will be inactive. You must reapply into the program to activate your status. This may interfere with your employment as you have to be actively enrolled in a teacher preparation program.
I am already a certified teacher with a CEAS (or Standard) License, but I also have an additional certification. I am required by the state to take the courses needed for that specific certification. Do I need to apply for the Alternate Route Program?
If you are already a certified teacher holding a CEAS or Standard License, you do not need to apply for the Alternate Route Program. You will instead apply with Graduate Admissions in the Endorsement track. For example: if you have a CEAS in Elementary Education/K-6 and hold a CE in Preschool through Grade 3, you are required to attend a State approved Preschool through Grade 3 program consisting of a minimum of 24 semester hour credits to secure full licensure. If you plan to seek work in New Jersey under a P-3 CE and complete the 24 semester hour credits while working under a provisional licensure, you must enroll in a Department approved New Jersey college or university program. This is mandatory by the New Jersey Department of Education.
I completed the 24 hours with Kean University when it was the requirement before and was awarded a certificate. Due to some circumstances, I am unable to find my 24 hour certificate. Where can I get a copy of that certificate?
We only have a few copies of the 24 hour certifications from 2016 -2017. Unfortunately, the Alternate Route Program was under a different management. However, you may want to contact the NJDOE who can confirm that there are notes in your account that you completed the 24 hours. You will need to contact the PTP Office, email them at provisional.teacher@doe.nj.gov or call (609) 984-6377 to help you verify this information.
I completed the 24 hours with Kean University when it was the requirement before. Now they require 50 hours. How do I complete the remaining 26 hours?
Kean University offers a Bridge program/course/workshop designed for participants who have completed the 24 – Hour workshop and wish to upgrade to a 50 – Hour certificate. You will earn the additional 26 hours needed by: conducting a 20-hour field experience; preparing a lesson plan; preparing a reflective observation journal. If your 24 – Hour workshop was completed at Kean University, there is no charge for this service. Those who earned their certificates at other institutions must pay a $25 administrative fee for the upgrade. Proof of completing the 24 - Hour is required when you register for the Bridge course. All Bridge participants must attend the first day of the 50 – Hour Pre Service Workshop. You are welcome to stay without charge if you feel you need to be up-to-date with the Alternate Route Program’s new requirements. Here is the link to register for the Bridge: https://www.kean.edu/academics/college-education/teacher-certification/bridge-course-upgrade-24-hours
I am unable to attend Kean University's 50-hour pre-service workshops due to the limited sessions available. Can I attend another university's 50 hours and transfer the work to this university?
Yes, you can attend another university's 50-hour pre-service workshops and transfer the work you did to Kean University ONLY if you plan to attend our P-3 or ESL Alternate Route Programs to complete the 24 credits. They will provide you a verification form as proof of completing the 50 hours. You will need that form as part of the admissions requirement into the program. You must keep a copy of your records.
Am I required to have a full time teaching job to be eligible for Alternate Route Programs?
Yes, candidates who are interested in becoming a certified teacher must be employed as a full time teacher. You cannot be a teacher’s aide, teacher assistant, substitute teacher, paraprofessional, or assistant teacher in the Alternate Route Program. Candidates must apply for a CE based on their certification options. The CE allows you to seek employment with a public school or an approved nonpublic school. When the CE holder accepts an offer of employment and provides verification of completion of a 50-hour Pre-professional Experience, the district/school must register employment with the Office of Professional Development (609) 984-6377, and request issuance of a provisional license. This two-year license allows the holder to begin working in the classroom and legalizes employment. It signifies that the applicant holds a CE and has accepted an offer of employment. In addition, it signifies that the employing school district or approved nonpublic school has registered the applicant in the Provisional Teacher Program and agreed to provide the required support and supervision. While some nonpublic schools or child development centers will employ you without a CE in hand, you must have a P-3 CE in order to complete the specialized alternate route courses and the PTP mentoring and evaluation.
If I am in the Alternate Route Program with my CE in P-3 or ESL, can my school district place me in a Bilingual or Special Education classroom?
No, you cannot be placed in a Bilingual or Special Education classroom under your Provisional License in P-3 or ESL. You cannot teach in grades outside your certification while in the Alternate Route Program. If you have a CE in P-3, you are only supposed to teach from grades P-3. If you have a CE in ESL, you can teach K-12, but no Bilingual class. You cannot teach in a Bilingual or Special Education class until you complete your initial certification. Those two certifications are add-ons/endorsements only. They are not standalone certifications. They are paired with another certification such as P-3, K-6, K-8, or K-12 subject matter (i.e. Math, English, Science, etc.). You can, however, apply for additional certifications and enroll in Bilingual or Special Education Programs, but cannot teach under those certifications without your initial certifications.
Can my courses transfer to the Alternate Route Programs?
We can transfer up to 6 credits (2 courses) from a master's degree not a bachelor's degree. However, we will need to evaluate the courses and see if they match with our courses. You must provide a copy of your transcripts along with the course descriptions. There is no guarantee for courses to transfer. It must also be within a six year window.
I already have a master's degree in Education. I am interested in the P-3 or ESL Alternate Route Program. Can any of my courses transfer?
If you already hold a master's degree in Education, we will need to carefully evaluate the courses you want to transfer. You must provide a copy of your transcripts along with the course descriptions. Kean University typically only considers courses that are within a six year window, and that is in our graduate catalog. Unfortunately, if the courses are more than six years old, they will not be able to apply to the Alternate Route Program.
I do not have a 3.0 GPA, but I am still interested in becoming a teacher and being in the Alternate Route Program. What are my options?
If you do not have the minimum requirement of a 3.0 GPA, which is mandatory for those entering the Education field, here are some suggestions:
1) get a second degree in Liberal Arts such as English, Science, Math, Psychology, etc and maintain a 3.0 GPA
2) apply for graduate school, get a Master's Degree that is not an Education major (ex. Psychology) and maintain a 3.0 GPA
3) apply for a post baccalaureate program. Be aware that Kean University no longer has a post-baccalaureate as of 2016 as it was dismantled. We only have Alternate Route Programs for Early Childhood Education/P-3 or ESL.
4) Apply for the Limited CE. Kean University is not participating with Limited CE at this time.
I have read/heard that Governor Murphy signed a law dropping N.J. requirements to pass the Praxis Core effective immediately. Do I need to take the Praxis Core for Alternate Route?
Yes, at this time, the Praxis Core exemption does not apply to CE or CEAS candidates. The exam is still currently in effect.
I was originally an Education major as an undergraduate, but I changed majors and graduated with my academic major (ex. Math, English, etc.). I am interested in the Alternate Route Programs. Can all my credits and/or courses be transferred to the program?
Unfortunately, credits and/or courses from an undergraduate degree do not transfer to the Alternate Route Program. The program consists of graduate level courses.
I am in the Alternate Route Program and I do know what classes to register for. Who can I contact?
Alternate Route students must email either Dr. Steven LoCascio at locascst@kean.edu or Ms. Jea Basubas at basubasj@kean.edu. You will also be emailed the courses you need to register for.
I am an Alternate Route student in the program. I am unable to register for my courses. Who can assist me with this issue?
Alternate Route students must email either Dr. Steven LoCascio at locascst@kean.edu or Ms. Jea Basubas at basubasj@kean.edu for a petition to register for courses. If you are having trouble registering for courses, please contact the One Stop Centerwho will be able to assist you with registration.They are located in the Center of Academic Success (CAS) Building on the 1st floor. You may also call them at (908) 73-REGME, fax them at (908) 737-3299, or by email at regme@kean.edu
I need some assistance with my application. I also want to know the status of my application. Who can I contact?
You may contact the Graduate Admissions Office via email at gradadmissions@kean.edu or by phone (908) 737-4723. You can also come to the office in K-120.
I would like to meet with an advisor to discuss teacher certification and/or Alternate Route Programs. Who can I contact?
You may call the main office number at (908) 737-3800 to schedule an appointment or by email at tchrctpb@kean.edu. We are open on Mondays to Fridays with the office hours of 8;30AM-4;30PM during the Fall and Spring semesters. During the summer, we are open Monday to Thursday with the office hours of 8:15AM-5:30PM. We are closed on Fridays. Please be aware that some of the staff are remote on certain days.