New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey (NPTNJ) provides an opportunity for people to become teachers who have a BS, BA, or higher degree and who did not complete a traditional teacher preparation program. The program is a collaboration between participating New Jersey community colleges and New Jersey City University (NJCU). This unique partnership provides students the opportunity to earn up to 15 graduate credits toward numerous NJCU graduate degrees in education while fulfilling the alternate route requirements. All community colleges offer the same program with identical curriculum and requirements.

After reading the brief overview, please contact the nearest participating community college listed on the right or visit www.nptnj.org for additional information. All participating community colleges hold information sessions where the program is explained in detail.

Eligibility Requirements

- BS, BA or higher degree
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- Certificate of Eligibility (CE)

Obtaining a Certificate of Eligibility (CE)

If you fulfill the first two eligibility requirements above, your next step in to obtain a CE. Before you can apply for a CE you must

1) pass the Praxis II in the subject you plan to teach (www.ets.org) and

2) complete a 24-hour program of study in basic pedagogical skills offered through a New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) approved provider. The New Pathways to Teaching in NJ Introduction to Teaching 24-hour Pre-service Program, offered at most community colleges, is DOE approved. Contact your community college for a schedule.

NPTNJ Academic Content

The complete program consists of 200 hours of coursework focusing on curriculum development and lesson planning, instructional strategies, classroom management, educational technology, parent-teacher interaction, and general preparation of the teacher-candidate for the K-12 educational environment. The program is offered in two stages.

Stage I introduces the participant to the wide range of knowledge and skills needed to teach grades K-12. Fifteen of the 60-hour course is spent observing in an elementary, middle or high school classroom. A teaching job is not required for Stage I enrollment and registrants may continue current employment but must arrange time off to fulfill the 15 hours of observation., Stage I may be offered January, April or June, one or two nights a week, depending on the community college.

Stage II registrants must have completed Stage I and have a K-12 provisional teaching job in a public or approved private school. Stage II is offered September-June at all participating community colleges. Stage II combines classroom teaching and all the attendant obligations of teaching with attending NPTNJ classes and completing academic assignments. Classes usually meet one night a week throughout the provisional teaching year.

Standard Certification

Completion of Stage I and II fulfills the 200-hour DOE academic requirement for standard (permanent) certification for alternate route teachers with the following exception. Teachers who hold an elementary CE (elementary and middle school teachers) are required to complete two additional courses, a 45-hour course in the teaching of literacy and a 45-hour course in the teaching of math, during their provisional year, to attain standard certification.