Bergen Community College
New Pathways to Teaching
in New Jersey (NPTNJ)
Glossary of Terms
• NJDOE: New Jersey Department of Education
• CE: Certificate of Eligibility
• PTP: Provisional Teacher Program
• Provisional License: Valid 2 years, allows first
year teachers to begin working
• Standard Certification (License): Permanent,
issued after all requirements of PTP are met
• NPTNJ Liaison: Representative of NPTNJ
Features of New Pathways to Teaching
• Partnership between New Jersey City
University (NJCU) and NJ Community Colleges
• Graduate level teacher education program
• 200 + hours of coursework required by NJDOE
for alternate route teacher certification
• Graduate credit or non-credit
• Shared cohort experience
Features of New Pathways to Teaching
• A combination of alternate route education
courses and on the job teaching experience
• For people who possess a minimum of a
Bachelor’s degree and have not completed a
traditional teacher education program
• To supply high quality teachers especially in
high need subject areas and geographic
locations
Features of New Pathways to Teaching
• Reputation for high academic standards
• Teachers of NPTNJ are well-prepared
• Teachers of NPTNJ are sought after by many
school districts
How to Get a NJ Teaching License
Alternate Route
• Possess a minimum of a BA or
BS degree
• Pass PRAXIS II exam in your
subject area specialty
• Obtain a Certificate of
Eligibility (CE) from NJDOE
• Enroll in Alternate Route
Teacher Education Program
• Find a job and complete 1 year
of teaching (Provisional
Teacher Program)
Traditional Route
• Complete an acceptable
major
• Take education courses in a
bachelor’s or master’s
degree program
• Complete student teaching
• Find a job and complete 1
year of teaching (Provisional
Teacher Program)
Am I a Candidate for NPTNJ?
• Minimum of BA or BS degree with a major in,
or closely related to, your intended
endorsement
• 2.75 GPA or greater in highest degree
• Passing PRAXIS II Score(s)
• Complete Introduction to Teaching 24-Hour
Pre-service Program
• Possess CE(s)
Am I a Candidate for NPTNJ?
• NPTNJ – Academically demanding
• Students are expected to possess:
– Strong writing & communication skills
– Strong computer skills
– Strong research skills
– Sufficient time to commit to program (attendance,
assignment deadlines, etc.)
New Pathways to Teaching
Stage I
• 48 hours classroom
instruction, 15 hours
observation K-12 classroom
• Starts in April or June
• Classroom Management &
Lesson Plans
• Classes meet 2 evenings a
week
Stage II
• September to June
• Learning, Motivation,
Assessment, Curriculum
• Classes meet 1
evening/week
• Must secure employment as
a full-time teacher
• Attend Capstone
Conference
New Pathways to Teaching
New Pathways to Teaching
Graduate Credit: Certification
• 15 Graduate Credits as a
non-degree New Jersey City
University student
• Graduate credits apply
towards various NJCU
Master’s degree programs
in Education
• Possible higher placement
on pay scale
Non-credit: Certification
• No credits
• No Master’s degree in
Education
• Meets all NJDOE
requirements for Alternate
Route Teacher Certification
New Jersey City University (NJCU)
• Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary)
• Master of Arts in Teaching (Secondary)
• Master of Arts in Teaching (Special Education)
• Master of Arts in Educational Technology
• Master of Arts in Reading
• Master of Arts in Urban Education
Step 1
• Introduction to Teaching 24-Hour Pre-Service
Program if CE applications not received by the
NJDOE by October 30, 2009
Introduction to Teaching
24 Hour Pre-service Program
• 20 Hours of coursework
• 4 Hours classroom observation
• 1 original Completion Certificate must be
included in Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
application
Step 2 - PRAXIS II Exam
• Pass the PRAXIS II Exam required for your
intended CE
• Offered by the Educational Testing Service
• PRAXIS II Exams – January, March, April,
June, September, November
• www.ets.org, click on PRAXIS,
select New Jersey, view list of
PRAXIS II exams required by the NJDOE
• ETS sends scores directly to NJDOE
Which Praxis II Do I Take?
• Go to NJDOE web site
http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/
• Click on Certification Requirements
• Click on intended CE in far, left column
• Find the paragraph entitled PRAXIS II Test
Requirement
PRAXIS II Prep
• Bergen Community College, Division of
Continuing Education offers Elementary
Education PRAXIS II Prep & Math PRAXIS Prep
• Late September 2011
• Ebooks from ETS
• Barron’s, Kaplan’s, Cliffs, etc.
Step 3: Request Official Transcripts
• 4 Official, sealed transcripts from each
college/university attended
• 3 of the 4 transcripts - NPTNJ application
• 1 of the 4 transcripts - CE application
• If you already have a CE, 3 transcripts are
needed
• Transcript from degree granting
college/university must show a 2.75 GPA
Transcripts Mailed to:
• Bergen Community College
School of Continuing Education
New Pathways to Teaching Program
Tec – 115
Att: Robin Singer
• Call 201-447-7488 - transcripts are being sent
Transcript Evaluation
• New Jersey Department of Education,
Office of Licensure and Academic Credentials
authorized to evaluate transcripts
• Bergen Community College cannot evaluate
transcripts
Certificate of Eligibility (CE)
• Certifies that you possess the knowledge
to teach at a specific grade level and/or
a specific subject area
• Issued by the New Jersey Department of
Education
• Allows you to seek employment as a teacher
in the Provisional Teacher Program (PTP)
• CE never expires
Types of Endorsements
• K-5 Elementary
• Elementary with specialization in
math, science, social studies, language arts or
world language: Grades 5-8
• Subject area: math, English, biology, etc.
Grades K -12
Elementary K -5 CE
• Major in Arts or Sciences fields
• Almost any area except law or engineering
• You may be eligible for Elementary K-5 CE
if you have 60 credits in Arts & Sciences
Elementary School with
Subject Area Specialization 5 - 8
• Areas include math, science, social studies,
language arts and world languages
• Minimum 15 credits in subject area, no
credits above 200 needed, but advanced
credits are accepted
• Must also possess Elementary Education CE
Subject Area CE’s Grades K-12
• Major in subject area of intended CE
• Minimum of 30 credits with 12 credits at an
advanced level (junior, senior or graduate)
Special Endorsements
• Students with Disabilities
• Bilingual/Bicultural
• ESL
• Pre-school – Grade 3*
• Career and Technical Education*
* YOU MUST SEEK AN APPROVED ALTERNATE
ROUTE PROGRAM FOR THESE
ENDORSEMENTS, GO TO NJDOE WEB SITE
Step 4: How to Obtain a CE
• Meet Eligibility Requirements
http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/
• Complete Introduction to Teaching 24-Hour
Pre-service Program
• Pass PRAXIS II Exam
• Apply for CE online at NJDOE web site for
Licensure & Credentials
• Mail required documents to NJDOE or liaison
Documents required for CE application
• Official Completion Certificate for the
Introduction to Teaching 24 Hour Pre-service
Program
• Copy of PRAXIS II scores
• Official, sealed transcript(s)
1 from each college/university attended
• Notarized Oath of Allegiance
include Code & Endorsement (downloaded
from NJDOE web site)
NPTNJ Expedites CE’s
• November, February, April, and July
• Submit all documents for the CE application to
the college liaison by the 15th of the EXPEDITE
month
• Advantage-faster processing if expedited
• You may submit documents on your own
to NJDOE
Notification of CE status
• NJDOE will notify you when they finished
processing your application and plan to
issue you the CE(s)
• NJDOE will notify you if you do not meet
the requirements
• http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/
Step 5: Physiology & Hygiene Test
• If you are a Bergen resident, take test after
NJDOE evaluates transcript
• Exempt from test if your transcript lists:
Biology, Health, Nutrition, etc.
• Call the Bergen County Department of
Education to schedule an appointment to take
the test if you are a Bergen resident.
• Take the tracking # you received by the NJDOE
Where to Get Tracking #
• https://www6.State.nj.us/DOE_TCIS_ASC/pages/
appStatusSearch.jsp
• At top of test write AR – NPTNJ
• Test results are faxed to NJDOE
College does not need test results
Exempt from Physiology & Hygiene Test
• NJDOE will determine you are exempt if your
transcript indicates study in:
– Human Biology
– Personal Health Problems
– Community Health
– School Health
– Family Health
– Health Counseling
– Nutrition
– Health Administration
Step 6, 7 : Enrollment in Stage I
• Completed Introduction to Teaching
• Copy of Certificate(s) of Eligibility (CE)
• 3 official, sealed transcripts from each
college attended
• Copy of passing PRAXIS II scores(s)
• 2.75 GPA or greater in highest degree
• Completed New Pathways to Teaching (NPTNJ)
application
Completion of Stage I
• Fulfill all Stage I Course Requirements
• Receive a minimum grade of B
Step 8: Enrollment in Stage II
• Successfully complete Stage I with a minimum
grade of B
• Must have a contract of employment as
Teacher of Record
• Hired in the subject area of your CE
• Provisional teaching job in public or private
K -12 school
• Stage II – Enroll any time after Stage I
Acceptable Teaching Jobs
• Full time as teacher of record, teaching in
area of CE
• Part time (minimum 15 hrs/wk) as teacher of
record, teaching in area of CE (This will take
you longer to receive your standard
certification.)
• Substitute, Teacher Aide, or Teacher Assistant
positions are NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Provisional Teacher Program (PTP)
• Begins during Stage II while you are
employed as Teacher of Record
• Your school district enrolls you in the
Provisional Teacher Program with the NJDOE
• Your first year of teaching =
Provisional Teaching Year
• Provisional year may extend to second
teaching year
Completion of Stage II
• Fulfill all Stage II Course Requirements
• Receive a minimum grade of B
• Attend Capstone Conference and complete all
Capstone assignments
Step 9: Literacy & Math 45-Hour
Methods courses
• For all Alternate Route candidates holding an
Elementary or Middle School CE
• Completion of 45 Hours Methods Course in
Literacy
• Completion of 45 Hours Methods Course in
Math
• NPTNJ offers both courses at select locations
• Check DOE website for other approved
programs
Standard Certification
• At the conclusion of your provisional year/s
• School District submits paperwork to NJDOE
• School district must recommend you for
Standard Certification
• Standard (permanent) Certification – never
expires
Jobs
• www.njhire.com
• District web sites
• NJ Star Ledger
Web Sites
• New Jersey Department of Education
http://www.nj.gov/education/educators/license/
• Praxis II Exam: Educational Testing Service (ETS)
www.ets.org
• World Education Services 212-966-6311; www.wes.org
for Foreign Transcript Evaluations
NPTNJ Web Sites
• New Pathways to Teaching at
Bergen Community College
http://www.bergen.edu/pages1/Pages/5349.aspx
• New Pathways to Teaching Homepage
http://web.njcu.edu/sites/nptnj/Content/default.asp
• New Jersey City University Graduate School
http://www.njcu.edu/graduate/grad/default.asp
2009-10 Tuition
• Non-Credit = $3,650
– Stage 1 = $1,300
– Stage II = $2,350
• Graduate Credit = $8,490
– Stage I = $2,830 + $25 transcript fee
– Stage II = $5,660
• 8-10% annual tuition increase likely
Bergen Community College
New Pathways to Teaching
• New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey
– Phone: 201-447-7488
– nptnj@bergen.edu
• New Pathway’s Professors
– Dr. James Scanlon
– Mr. George Testa
– Mr. Joe Polvere
Summary
• You must meet Eligibility Requirements to be
accepted into NPTNJ
• Minimum 2.75 GPA in highest degree
• Passing PRAXIS II score(s)
• Completion of Introduction to Teaching 24
Hour Pre-service Program
• 4 Official, sealed transcripts from 4 year
college/university
PRAXIS II Exam
• Bergen Community College cannot advise you
which PRAXIS II to take
• If you are in doubt, contact
NJDOE Office of Licensing & Credentials at
609-292-2070
• Monday – Friday 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Certificate(s) of Eligibility
• Bergen Community College is not authorized
to advise you on what you are qualified to
teach or which CE to obtain
• If you are in doubt, contact
NJDOE Office of Licensing & Credentials at
609-292-2070
• Monday – Friday 7:30am - 4:15pm
NPTNJ Applications
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•
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April Stage I – Application available March 1st
June Stage I – Application available May 1st
Payment expected at time of registration
Check, credit cards
ITA Grants from Unemployment Office
NPTNJ Time Line
• Complete Introduction to Teaching 24 Hour
Pre-service
• Pass PRAXIS II EXAM
• Request 4 sealed, official transcripts
• Apply for CE online, mail required documents
or have BCC expedite documents
• Once you possess CE enroll in Stage I
• Once you pass Stage I and receive a contract
of employment, enroll in Stage II
Follow-up Session
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Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuesday, March22, 2010
6:00 - 7:00pm
Room TEC-118