What is the Alternate Route Program?

The Alternate Route (CE) program is intended for those who have not completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university. Participants begin teaching while concurrently completing the necessary coursework. In contrast, a traditional program, where all education requirements are fulfilled before entering the teaching field, is known as the CEAS (Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing). For more details, see the Atlantic City Press article on our program.

Which CEs is Stockton approved to offer? 

View this list for more information. 

Does Stockton offer P-3 certification? 

No, Stockton doesn't offer the Alternate Route in P-3. Contact a DOE approved provider such as Montclair University.

Does Stockton offer certification in  Career and Technical Education (CTE)?  

Stockton does  offer a few the Alternate Route for CTEs listed above.  If you are interested in teaching technical courses requiring a CTE program, see Brookdale Community College, the only state provider of all CTE Alternate Route Certification. 

In which grades/subjects can I obtain a certification?

Click here for the full DOE list.

Since the ESL certification requires additional coursework, how would that work if I am a CE candidate enrolling in Stockton's two-year Alternate Route Program? 

Stockton's ESL graduate endorsement sequence consists of 5 graduate level classes, 4 of which are the same courses required for the Bilingual Education (BE) endorsement. If you are interested in the ESL endorsement, you can take one course each semester for five semesters, or two courses in the fall, two in the spring, and then one in the summer, and you can finish the entire ESL endorsement program in two semesters and a summer. (The courses are offered in a cycle that makes this possible and there is no required order of the classes.) After you take the four or five courses and either pass or waive your OPI/WPT tests, you will be eligible to apply for your ESL and/or BE endorsements through Stockton's School of Education office.

The Stockton School of Education webpage which will give you information about the MAED program and the ESL/BE endorsements.  See the curriculum worksheet under “Educational Endorsements”.  All of the ESL courses online and in the following cycle: EDUC 5202 and EDUC 5205 in the fall, EDUC 5201 and EDUC 5203 in the spring, and EDUC 5204 in the summer. 

For information on the ESL Program, contact Dr. Spitzer (Lois.Spitzer@stockton.edu)

Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) through the NJ DOE Office of Licensure and Academic Credentials. 

 

 NOTE: The 2022 released "NJ DOE Limited CE" is not referenced in the video above, but is detailed at the bottom of this section.

• Here is the full list of requirements for each CE. 

• The list of various CE areas provided by Stockton.

• To apply for one or more CEs, use the New Jersey Education Certification System. 

 

Three important elements:

1. Praxis 1 (until 2025) The Governor signed A1669/P.L.2024, c.26, into law on June 29, 2024, which eliminates the requirement to complete a Commissioner of Education-approved test of basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills (Basic Skills) for all instructional certificates except for the limited certificate of eligibility (CE) and the limited certificate of eligibility with advanced standing (CEAS). This law shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following the date of enactment. The law also immediately eliminates the Alternate Certificate of Eligibility. The official date will be January 2025. Learn more at the New Jersey Department of Education website.
   
   
2. Praxis II for the certificate sought.  (TOSD does not have a Praxis 2 requirement)
   Click here for the ETS site. The site includes the list of required Praxis II for the specific CE(s) you seek. When registering, please include Stockton University as a score recipient. 
   
   
3. Undergraduate degree with a 3.0 or higher GPA (or 2.75 with a qualifying score on the Praxis II or use of Limited CE to bypass the GPA requirement).  For subject specialist CEs 30 specific content credits are required by the DOE.  

 

I heard about a Limited CE. What is that all about?

The DOE has created a limited CE which is accepted by some school districts.  To be eligible for the limited CE, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and meet all CE requirements pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:9B-8.3, except the candidate may be waived from exactly one of the following requirements:

• Minimum number of subject-matter course content credits;
• Minimum required grade point average (GPA);
• Minimum score on a Commissioner-approved assessment of basic skills or core competencies; or
• Passing score on State-approved Praxis subject-matter assessments.

For more information on the Limited CE and the list of districts approved to accept this option organized by county.

Note: Stockton’s Alternate Route program is now approved to accept applications from students who qualify for this Limited CE if they have contracted teaching positions from qualifying districts. 

NJDOE Office of Certification hotline: 609-292-2070.

Once you earn your Certificate of Eligibility, apply for and accept employment in a contracted teaching position in a public or private school*.

Seeking a teaching position?  NJschooljobs.com is a good source as is the websites of the districts of interest.  Additionally, working within schools as a substitute or teaching assistant is a helpful means to seek a teaching contract. 

• The district will enter the teacher in the NJ EdCert System formerly the Provisional Licensure Registration Management System (PLRMS), formally termed the Provisional Teacher Program (PTP) with the state. 
  
  
• Note: Private schools may participate in the Alternate Route if the following requirements are met.  

CE 50-Hour Course
(Non-credit requirement to enter the Alternate Route to Teaching Program) 

• This 50-hour course is one of the requirements of the alternate route; however, this course is not a requirement for the certificate of eligibility. It is required to be completed before working, so we encourage those who wish to enter the field of teaching through the alternate route take this course as soon as they earn a certificate of eligibility and even before they begin interviewing.
• This online (Google Classroom) course includes 30 hours of online instruction, 10 hours of clinical observation, and 10 hours of clinical reflection. It is possible to complete the course in as few as three weeks. The time limit is three months. 
• The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of teaching as a profession to those interested in obtaining a teaching certificate through the alternate route program. This course focuses on the culture of schools, including expectations and the transitioning necessary for new teachers. Topics will include classroom management, lesson planning, instruction, assessment, student needs, and the use of technology in the classroom.  
• Stockton is not a provider of "CTE Only" areas or P-3 Alternate Route certification, so this would not be the correct 50 hour course for those CEs. 
• Note: Stockton will accept the 50-hour course certificate from other Alternate Route NJDOE approved providers, but acceptance is at the discretion of each provider. The NJDOE prefers the 50 hour course be completed in the same institution as the 350 hours.

REGISTRATION FOR THE 50-HOUR COURSE

This online module will run continuously throughout the year. Students are able to join at any time and complete the course at their own pace. As noted, completion rates range from 3 weeks to 3 months.  

FAQs

How do I register for this stand alone non-credit course?

To get the link for the registration page, please complete this interest form. Doing so, you will receive the registration link. Disregard the enrollment platforms reference to start dates or any live classes; the registration is open and rolling, and the course is self-paced without any synchronous classes. Once registered, anticipate entry to the Google Classroom course within 1 business day (except over holidays).  A notice will be sent to the email you provide. Stockton or Gmail accounts encouraged. The cost of this course is $350.  

May I take this course if I do not have a CE or a teaching contract?

Yes, this course is open to all except Stockton is not a provider of "CTE Only" areas or P-3 Alternate Route certification. Note: the state has requested only the institution to which a candidate will attend the 350 hour portion should be the institution to provide the 50 hour portion.    Having the course completed prior to interviewing and working would be beneficial to the candidate. 

Do I need to take this course if I already have my CE?

Yes.  This course is not required until an Alternate Route candidate accepts a contracted teaching position; however it is needed to begin teaching.  Therefore, we suggest candidates consider taking the course as soon as possible. The following is from a broadcast to NJ Superintendents from the DOE on April 11. 2017: "Administrators should ensure that all new teachers hired who hold a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) are enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program by the start of their first school year and have received confirmation from the preparation program that the new teachers have completed the pre-professional (50 hours) component of the program." 

Do you give any credit for those with previous education courses?

The 50-hour preservice course is a state-mandated requirement for all seeking to pursue certification as CE candidate. If you will be attending the SU 350 hour program and believe your prior fieldwork placement courses could be considered in place of the 50, contact Dr. Hinman (link below). 

May I use past experiences as the clinical observation requirement and/or will the instructor help me coordinate a placement? 

Yes. Those options are detailed within Google Classroom. 

The candidate then must apply for the Alternate Route teacher preparation program directly with a provider: Stockton University is an approved 100% online provider.

The SU Alternate Route Program entry start points are September (recommended application in June , but we can handle summer applications) or January (recommended application by November), depending upon date of hire.

Our 400-hour two-year graduate level program includes the 50-hour non-credit preservice course along with 350 hours of online graduate work. Students are enrolled in 5-6 credits per semester.  The two- and three- credit companion courses are delivered online through Blackboard. Tuition and fee costs for the program are as of fall 2024 are $736 per credit.  The 24 (secondary)/25(elementary) credit program is approximately $17,800. Many of our candidates stay on for a third year (12 credits) and earn a master's degree in education. 

Financial Aid

• It is recommended candidates review the contract of their new teaching position for any information on reimbursement by their school.  Also, check into the Teach Grant. If you work in a high needs district/content area, you may qualify. Contact Terra Mecouch, who handles Financial Aid for all Education students, including Teach grant applicants at 609-626-6051. 
• Graduate credit costs are linked to the Bursar's Office.
• Financial aid information. 
• Many school districts offer course reimbursement for graduate courses.  See your teaching contract/human resource department for details.  
• Additional federal teacher supports.

Sequence of Courses  (Two years: Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring semesters)

1. Course Worksheet for K-12 Subject Specific CE holders
2. Course Worksheet for Elementary CE holders
3. Course Worksheet for K-12 Subject Specific CE holders seeking Sped Endorsement
4. Course Worksheet for Elementary CE holders seeking Sped Endorsement
5. Course Worksheet for Sped Endorsement as addition after Alt Route Certificate Completion

 

Application to the 350 Hours 

Graduate Admissions Process - Graduate Admissions | Stockton University

If you have completed steps 1 (CE) and 2 (contract) above, and registered or completed the 50 hour course, you may apply to the Graduate Program.  The Graduate Admission Office (GraduateStudies@stockton.edu) is the best contact for any questions related to the application process. 

Stockton Online Application Requirements 

1. Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application 
2. Contracted teaching position (a contracted long term leave is acceptable, a substitute position is not) These contracts need to be uploaded to the application as a pdf and MUST be signed by the School District Board of Education
3. Enrollment in the NJ provisional teaching database (completed by the school district) 
4. Appropriate NJ Certificate of Eligibility (CE or Limited CE).
5. Praxis II scores (or evidence of Limited CE status excusing Praxis requirements)
6. Graduate application essay
7. Two current letters of recommendation written specifically for MAED admissions 
8. Resume
9. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) mailed or dropped off directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions
10. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
11. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 (or evidence of Limited CE status excusing the GPA) Note: maintaining a 3.0 GPA within the program is required.

The ideal time to apply is in the summer for a September start, or if hired in the fall, apply in the fall for a January start.  If hired after January 1, apply in the spring for a fall start (occasionally spring acceptees are permitted to begin in the summer).