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
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:
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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. -
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).
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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.
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
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Graduate, Non-Degree |
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Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) Alternate Route |
Graduate, Non-Degree |
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Graduate, Non-Degree |
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Graduate, Non-Degree |
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Graduate, Degree |
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Graduate, Degree |
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| Certification Program in Bilingual/Bicultural Education | Graduate, Non-Degree |
Our programs are designed to provide high-quality, flexible pathways for aspiring and current educators to excel in their teaching careers.
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.
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.
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
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FOUNDATIONS OF EC & FS |
3 |
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LNG&READ&THGHT YNG CH THRY&PRA |
3 |
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DESIGNING AND MANAGING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION |
3 |
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ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES FOR LEARNING |
3 |
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DEV THEORIES FOR TEACHING EC & FS |
3 |
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INTEGRATED CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT |
3 |
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CREATING PARTNERSHIPS WITH FAMILIES PARENTING EDUCATION |
3 |
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INTEGRATING TECH INTO EC CURR |
3 |
TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 24 Please note the program will increase to 30 credits effective Fall 2025.
Required Courses for TESOL:
General Methods 3
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CURRICULUM, EVALUATION & THE LEARNER |
3 |
Historical, Linguistic, and Cultural Backgrounds
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GENERAL LINGUISTICS |
3 |
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SEMINAR IN THE PHONOLOGY & STRUCTURE OF AMERICAN ENGLISH |
3 |
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CULTURE, COGNITION & COMMUNICATION FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS |
3 |
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LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING |
3 |
Techniques of Teaching ESL/EFL Students 9
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METHODS FOR TEACHING ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN ESL/EFL SETTINGS: STANDARDS-BASED APPROACH |
3 |
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SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION & FIELD EXPERIENCE IN ESL/EFL SETTINGS |
3 |
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ACADEMIC ENGLISH ACROSS THE CONTENT AREAS FOR L2 LEARNERS WITH INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY |
3 |
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.