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

 

Which grades/subjects can I obtain a certification in?

You may pursue certification in a wide range of grades and subjects. Click here for the full DOE list.

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

Which CEs is Stockton approved to offer? 

Stockton is approved to offer a number of CEs through the Alternate Route program.

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 offers the Alternate Route for some CTEs listed in the link above such as comprehensive business.  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. 

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Important Requirements to Qualify for a NJDOE Certificate of Eligiblity:

Academic Requirements

• • Bachelor’s degree

  • GPA of 3.0 or higher, or 2.75 with a qualifying Praxis II score, or use of the Limited CE to bypass the GPA requirement

  • For subject-area CEs: 30 credits in the specific content area (per DOE)

Praxis II Requirement (ETS site)

• Passing score on the Praxis II exam for the certificate you are seeking

  • Exception:TOSD does not require Praxis II

• Visit the ETS Praxis website for test options and requirements

• When registering, designate Stockton University as a score recipient

• Praxis support information

Note: Praxis I (Core) is no longer required, unless requesting a Limited CE.

What Is a Limited CE?

The NJDOE offers a Limited Certificate of Eligibility, accepted by most districts.
Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree and meet all NJ CE requirementsexcept one of the following, which may be waived:

• Required content-area credits

• Minimum GPA

• Passing score on Praxis II subject assessment (Praxis 1 would then be required)

For more information, see:

• Details on the Limited CE

• List of participating districts (organized by county)

Stockton is approved to admit students holding a Limited CE if they have a contracted teaching position in a qualifying district.

Need assistance applying for a CE?

NJDOE Office of Certification Hotline: 609-292-2070

After You Apply for Your Certificate of Eligibility (CE)

Your next step is to secure and accept a contracted teaching position in a public or eligible private school.*

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

How to Pursue and Accept a Teaching Contract

1. Finding Job Openings

Candidates typically find teaching positions through:

• NJschoojobs.com

• The employment pages of individual school district websites

• Experience gained by working as a substitute teacher or teaching assistant, which can help you make connections and secure a contract

2. When You Are Hired

After you accept a contracted teaching position, the school district will:

• Enter your information into the NJ EdCert System

  • Formerly known as the Provisional Licensure Registration Management System (PLRMS)

  • Previously referred to as the Provisional Teacher Program (PTP)

This state registration is required for all Alternate Route candidates beginning their provisional teaching year.

• *Note: Private schools may participate in the Alternate Route if the following requirements are met.  

CE 50-Hour Preservice 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.

How do I register for this standalone non-credit course?

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.  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.  

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, so our 50 Hour course would not be applicable to those areas. Note: the state has requested 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. 

Applying to the Alternate Route Teacher Preparation Program

After securing a contracted teaching position, candidates must apply directly to an approved Alternate Route provider.
Stockton University is an NJDOE-approved provider offering a fully online program.

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Program Entry Points

Stockton offers two start dates each year:

• September Start

  • Recommended application submission: June

  • Summer applications are also accepted

• January Start

  • Recommended application submission: November

Start term may depend on your date of hire. We strive to accommodate last minute applications if we are able.

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Program Structure

Stockton’s Alternate Route program is a 400-hour, two-year graduate-level sequence that includes:

• 50-hour non-credit preservice non-credit course

• 350 hours of online graduate coursework

• 5–6 graduate credits per semester

• Courses delivered in 3-credit formats via Blackboard/Zoom

• Entire program offered 100% online(mix of asynchronous and synchronous (evening) sessions

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Tuition and Program Cost

• Tuition and fees (Fall 2024): $736 per credit

• Total program:

  • 24 credits (secondary)

  • 25-30 credits (elementary)

• Estimated program cost: approximately $17,800

Many candidates continue for a third year  to earn a (36 credit) Master’s 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. Learn more about TEACH grant eligibility requirements at studentaid.gov. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at 609-626-6051 for more information and to indicate your interest in the program.
• Graduate credit costs are linked to the Bursar's Office.
• Financial aid information, click here.. 
• 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 with the option for SPED Endorsement
2. Course Worksheet for Elementary CE holders with the option for SPED Endorsement
3. Course Worksheet for ESL CE holders

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 for 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 as that process is not monitored by Dr. Hinman. 

Stockton Online Application Requirements 

1. Application fee: $50 (non-refundable), submitted with your online application (The fee may be waived by those who complete our 50-Hour Course.)
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 and universities attended must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions electronically, by mail, or in-person. The Office of Graduate Admissions will retrieve Stockton transcripts on your behalf.
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).