Alternate Route Teacher Certification Subject Area (P-12)
The Alternate Route Teacher Certification Subject Area (P-12) program is a 24-credit program that leads to Teacher Certification in the State of NJ. Designed to be completed on-campus over two years, the Alternate Route accommodates student schedules as they teach in a full-time teaching position simultaneously while completing required coursework. In this coursework, students gain the necessary knowledge and skills related to their work as teachers, including: content and pedagogy, understanding of learning and development, instructional planning,implementing instruction, earning communities, and leadership and collaboration.
Please note: the Alternate Route program is specifically designed for individuals who already hold a CE and a full-time teaching position. Students without a CE should look into our Master of Art in Teaching or Post-Baccalaureate programs.
*F1/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program.
The Office of Graduate Admissions requires the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to apply for a graduate program. Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the international applicants page to review the U.S. degree equivalency information.
Additionally, applicants must have a CE in the area they are seeking certification in and must hold a full-time teaching position.
In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admission for Fall and Spring start.
- Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions and pay (or waive) the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Alternate Route Teacher Certification Subject Area (P-12) program:
- Transcript: One from each college attended.
- Portrait of a Teacher Essay – Pick one of the following standards:
- Standard 1: Understand critical thinking and problem solving and create learning experiences that promote the development of students’ critical thinking and problem solving skills and dispositions
- Standard 2: Understand principles of democracy and plan and carry out instruction that promotes democratic values and communication in the classroom
- After you have picked one of the standards, in a cohesive essay of two pages, please address the following:
- In your life as a citizen, student, and future teacher of this society, what experiences are reflective of this standard? Additionally, what experiences in your life have conflicted with this standard?
- Envision yourself as a teacher. How would you foster a classroom climate that would promote this standard in your discipline? You might begin by reflecting on some of your own classroom experiences as a student. Which things would you do differently and which would you emulate in creating such a classroom climate?
- Standardized Test Scores: See information on the Center of Pedagogy’s website. Praxis II scores in content area are required.
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Resume: Required
- 50 hour Pre-Professional Experience: May be satisfied by taking: SASE 210, Public Purposes of Education or an hours-based course at another institution with 20 hours field experience in a 50-hour class. If not taken at Montclair, a transcript must be submitted with application.
- Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
*F1/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program.
If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869
If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Alternate Route Teacher Certification Subject Area (P-12) Program Coordinator:
*During the summer months, there will be a rotating department chair available to answer your inquiry. Find the updated summer chair for this program.*
Program Coordinator: Mia Kirk
Office: University Hall
Email: kirkm@montclair.edu