Teacher Development

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (updated 10.11.2006)
NPTNJ Alternate Route to Teacher Certification                                             Return to to NPTNJ Overview

1. How does NPTNJ differ from the Traditional Route, and the DOE Alternate Route programs?
2. Why should I take this program rather than the original alternate route?
3. What does the program cost?
4. How do I know if I am a good candidate for this program?
5. What is the difference between the non-credit certification only program and the graduate level program?
6. What are the Entrance Requirements for Stage I?
7. How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?
8. How do I check on the status of my CE application?
9. I’m going to be on vacation – how many classes of Stage I can I miss?
10. What is the content of the Stage I course? What topics are covered?
11. If I finish Stage I and don’t take Stage II, can I continue in Stage II next year? How long will my courses “count” for the program?
12. What are the grade requirements to continue from Stage I to Stage II?
13. Can I continue in the program if I don’t get a job in September?
14. What is the criteria for the teaching position required?
15. If I have completed the program, will I get my teaching license at the end of the year?
16. Can I continue in the program if I don’t have my CE?
17. Can I continue in the program if I don’t pass the Praxis II?
18. How will the courses show up on my transcript?
19. Will I need a 20-day mentor?
20. What date and time will the classes be offered

~ OTHER GENERAL QUESTIONS
~ REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
~ QUALIFICATION/CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS
~ EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS

1. How does NPTNJ differ from the Traditional Route, and the DOE Alternate Route programs?

2. Why should I take this program rather than the original alternate route?
NPTNJ offers a summer preparation phase which lays the groundwork for an alternate route teacher offering classroom management and lesson planning skills. The traditional alternate route program offers no pre-service component to prepare you to enter the classroom.  While attending this program you will have formed a cohort of first year alternate route teachers. This will provide you with support system as you experience teaching for the first time.  If you elect for the graduate credit program, you will have 15 MAT credits to apply to your Master of Arts in Teaching degree at NJCU.

3. What does the program cost?
The cost of the program for Year 5 (2007-2008 ) for the MAT graduate-credit & NPTNJ certification is $7,153.  The cost for NPTNJ certification only is $3,000. Fee are subject to change annually. Both programs provide identical instruction.  Full payment before each stage of the program is required at the time of registration.

4. How do I know if I am a good candidate for this program?
The candidate for this program is someone who is committed to education and making a difference in a life of a child. The ideal candidate will be ready for the intensity of this fast tracked program and will be interested in the intellectual stimulation of a graduate program while learning to teach. Many people in the program already have teaching experience in non-public school settings or as a teacher’s assistant, tutor, etc.

5. What is the difference between the non-credit certification only program and the graduate level program?

There is no difference in the classroom experience. All course work including assignments and reading will be identical. The only difference is the cost and the awarding of graduate credits from New Jersey City University.

6. What are the Entrance Requirements for Stage I?

• BA/BS in appropriate undergraduate major with a minimum GPA of 2.75
• Passing score on the Praxis II
  NOTE: The Praxis exam must be taken prior to applying for your DOE Certificate of Eligibility.

7. How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility (NJ DOE?)
If you are planning to participate in the NPTNJ program, you should submit a completed application for our program. We will supply you with a CE application for you to complete and return to us along with all required documentation and payment. Your CE application will then be submitted through the NPTNJ administrators. There is no fee to apply for the program with RVCC, however there is a DOE fee for the NJ CE application. click here to request an RVCC NPTNJ application

You may also obtain an application for a NJ DOE Certificate of Eligibility from your local superintendent of schools at any time. They will submit your completed application to the DOE for you. However, if you apply on your own, NPTNJ cannot help with the processing of your CE and this may take longer.  Please see the program overview for more details.

8. How do I check on the status of my CE application?
Once your application has been processed at the DOE, you may check on the status on the progress of your application. Log on to www.state.nj.us/education or call the DOE at (609) 292-4469. On the website,  choose "CERTIFICATION APPLICATION STATUS CHECK ". If your application is in progress, you will find it searching by your Social Security number.

9. I’m going to be on vacation – how many classes can I miss?
It is not at all advisable to miss any classes. However, it is up to the course instructor to make the final determination.

10. What is the content of the course? What topics are covered?
Check the NPTNJ website for a complete description.

11. If I finish Stage I and don’t take Stage II, can I continue in Stage II next year? How long will my courses “count” for the program?
Your STAGE I certificate is good for one year, you must begin Stage II (September -June) the following fall.

12. What are the grade requirements to continue from Stage I to Stage II?
A minimum grade average of a "B" must be maintained to continue on to Stage II.  You must have obtained a teaching position as a provisional teacher for September.

13. Can I continue in the program if I don’t get a job in September?
No, you must have a contracted teaching position to continue on to Stage II. However, continuation to Stage II may be delayed for one year.

14. What is the criteria for the teaching position required?
The teaching position you accept may be part-time/half time or full time with a Teaching Contract. It may be with a public, private, or charter school – as long as the school is accredited by the State of New Jersey. Your school district will then register you with the Provisional Teaching Office of the DOE. The PTO will send a log and instructions to your school. You must teach the equivalent of one year full time to satisfy the hourly teaching requirement that will earn your standard teaching license. If you accept less than a full time teaching position then it will take you more than one year to meet the hourly requirement. The school district will log and verify the hours by sending in reports throughout the year. When you successfully satisfy the hourly requirement, your school principal or supervisor will recommended you to the Provisional Teaching Office at the DOE for licensure in the area of your CE. You must teach within the area of your CE. You have two years to log in the hours needed.

You can accept a "long term substitute position" if the following criteria is met.

1. The student must be teaching in a subject for which they have a CE.
2. The student must have a contract from the school for a minimum of three months. This will give the school the opportunity to complete and file the first provisional observation and report.
3. The school must enroll the student in the provisional teacher program.

Guidelines for what the student must do to continue in the program after the long term contract ends will follow.

15. If I have completed the program, will I get my teaching license at the end of the year?
You can be permanently licensed when you complete a full year of teaching under a provisional license in a school that participates in the Provisional Teacher Program. Your employing school must submit proof of your hours (900 hours required for licensure) and their recommendation along with your NPTNJ Certificate of Completion to the DOE to secure your NJ teaching license. Most public schools, including charter schools, and some private schools participate in this program. When searching for a teaching position, be sure that your employer is a participant in the Provisional Teacher Program. If they are not, it is their responsibility to contact the DOE to become a participant.

16. Can I continue in the program if I don’t have my CE?
No, you must have a CE to enroll in Stage II. 

17. Can I continue in the program if I don’t pass the Praxis II?
No. A passing Praxis score is required for your CE application.

18. How will the courses show up on my transcript?

19.  Will I need a 20-day mentor?
No. The summer stage of the NPTNJ program replaces the 20-day mentor requirement of the DOE Alternate Route program.

20. What date and time will the classes be offered?
For the current dates, please see the program overview.  Generally, at RVCC:

• Stage I programs are offered twice a week (Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu) from 6:00 - 9:20PM.
• Stage II programs are offered once a week (Mon, Tue or Wed) from 4:30 - 8:00PM.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

21. Can I transfer my credits to another institution?
In general most masters degree program accept very few if any credits from another institution. It is the receiving institution that makes the determination about credit transfer.

22.  Can I transfer credits I’ve taken at another institution into NPTNJ?
No. Because this is a specified sequence of course taken as a cohort, no substitutions can be made.

23. Where will the rest of the MAT courses be offered – do I have to go to Jersey City to finish the degree?
NJCU hopes to offer the rest of the MAT program regionally throughout the state based on enrollment demand.

24. Can I get financial aid? How can I get more information about this?
Check the NPTNJ website. In addition, some hiring school districts offer tuition reimbursement that may pay for part or the entire program.

25. How do I continue in the NJCU MAT program after I have completed NPTNJ?
As an NPTNJ credit candidate, you are a non-matriculated student in the MAT program at NJCU. In order to continue after completing the NPTNJ program and receiving 15 MAT credits, you must apply for admission to the MAT program at NJCU. Check the NPTNJ website for details.

26. Do I have to take the GRE’s if I already have a master’s degree and I want to continue for the MAT?
Yes

27. If I don’t start Stage I now, can I start it in the fall?
No. Stage I is only offered in the summer. The program is 2 Part, but both Stages must be taken in sequential order.

28. Can I start Stage II if I already have teaching experience and skip Stage I?
No. Stage I is a required part of the program for all candidates.

29. What if I’m not ready to teach full-time yet, but I’d like to start this program?
A traditional teacher preparation program is probably a better choice for you. There are many throughout the state. Check with the college or university near you.

30. Can I change the location of the program once I’ve started?
You may change the location between Stage I and Stage II.

31. Do I have to attend at the Community College in my county or can I go to any site?
You can attend the program at any community college that is offering the program.

32. Who will be teaching the course?
RVCC certified instructors teach the courses.

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS

33. Where do I send application materials?
Send your registration material to your community college liaison. The RVCC address is:

Raritan Valley Community College
Corporate and Continuing Education - NPTNJ
PO Box 3300, Somerville, NJ 08876.

34. How many Official transcripts do I send and to whom?
Three (one for the CE application, two for the NPTNJ application). All transcripts should be sent to your community college liaison. AT RVCC: Carol Clark, Program Director.

35. How do I register for the Praxis II?
Contact: Educational Testing Services, Phone: 609-921-9000 Web: www.ets.org

36. If I sign up for the program as certification only, can I opt for graduate credit for Stage II or pay for the graduate credit later?
No. The graduate/certification program must be decided at registration of Stage I.

QUALIFICATION/CERTIFICATION QUESTIONS

37. What academic major do I need for my certification?
For Elementary, any major in an Arts and Science. For Secondary you must have the equivalent of an academic field or 30 credits in a coherent sequence of courses in your subject area.

38. What happens if I don’t have the sequence of courses for a major?
You will need to complete that sequence of courses in addition to the teacher preparation program. These courses can be taken as a non-matriculated student at the undergraduate or graduate level at any accredited institution.

39. I already passed the Praxis II in a certain subject area, but I don’t have a major in that subject, can I still get a Certificate of Eligibility in that area?
No. A Certificate of Eligibility requires BOTH a passing Praxis II score and an academic major.

40. What certification areas are there?
Visit www.state.nj.us/education as well as www.ets.org.

41. What grades can I teach with a Subject Area Certification like Math?
You may teach that particular subject area at any grade level including elementary school; however, you may only teach that subject area.

42. What if I have a bachelor’s degree from outside the United States?
You need to have your international transcript evaluated. We recommend World Educational Services at www.wes.org

43. When do I get my Provisional License? Permanent License? How long can I use a Provisional License?
The school district where you are employed will register for your Provisional License when you begin your full-time teaching as an alternate route teacher. You will be recommended for your Permanent License after one year of full-time teaching and successful completion of the NPTNJ Alternate Route program. The Provisional License is valid for two years. 

44. How long is the CE valid? Does it expire?
The CE is not a license and does not have an expiration date.

45. I have applied for my CE a long time ago and haven’t gotten it yet – what should I do?
Make a note on your application and we will try to fast track the process with the NJ DOE.

46. If I don’t have a 2.75 GPA can I still participate? Are there other qualifications that can be used instead of the GPA?
No, you may not participate in NPTNJ. However, if you have at least a 2.5 you may be eligible to participate in an alternate route teacher program at a regional training center.

47. Can I use a GPA that is higher than 2.75 from a Masters Degree I hold even though I don’t have a 2.75 in my Bachelors Degree?
Yes.

48. What if I have a 2.5 GPA – the state requirements say that is high enough. Why can’t I enter the NPTNJ program?
The NPTNJ admission criteria are equivalent to that of the Graduate level program at NJCU to ensure that all credits are transferable.

49. What can I do to become a teacher if I don’t have a 2.5 GPA?
It is possible to reestablish a GPA by completing a master’s degree program or traditional baccalaureate teacher preparation program. However, you would need to contact the specific institution for their admissions criteria.

EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS

50. How can I find a job? Where do I look for job openings?
The Sunday Star Ledger and www.NJHire.com are two good places to start.

51. Will principals want to hire an Alternate Route Candidate? Don’t they hire traditional candidates first?
While many principals hire traditional candidates first, they also value the work experience and maturity that alternate route candidates can bring to the job. It will be an incentive for principals to hire NPTNJ alternate route candidates because the 20-day mentor requirement has already been met.

52. If I don’t have a job yet is it hopeless to get one before Sept?
Many school districts hire right up until beginning of school and many positions become available in August/September.

53. Can I look for a job if I don’t have my CE yet?
Yes, however, you cannot sign a contract without one.

54. How much do teachers get paid? How does the salary scale work?
Average beginning teacher salaries vary between school districts and range between $30-45,000. A particular salary is based on the number of years of teaching experience in that district and the amount of education. Therefore, taking the program for 15 graduate credits will usually result in an additional $1,200-2,000 in salary.

55. Will I get paid more if I have teaching experience or other work experiences?
In general, other work experience does not affect salary. However, in other high demand areas such as math and science new teachers may be started higher on the salary scale.

56. Does my teaching position have to be the same field that my license is for?
Yes.

If you have any other questions about Professional Development for Educators
or to register for a workshop call
908-526-1200 ext. 8377, or email Carol Clark

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