Modified Alternate Route P-3 (Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification)
Students with a baccalaureate degree and interest in teaching may pursue the post-baccalaureate program for certification only.
The Alternate Route Program for P-3 certification is a 24-credit graduate program that prepares you to apply for standard certification with the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE)*. Designed to be completed in two years, the program aligns with enrollment in the employer-based Provisional Teacher Program (PTP). While a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) is not required for admission, individuals must hold a CE or Limited CE to qualify for full-time employment as a teacher of record in a New Jersey public school. Upon successfully completing the program and meeting all certification requirements, program completers can apply for standard certification through the NJDOE.
50-Hour Pre-Professional Service Course
All P-3 Modified Alternate Route students are required to complete Montclair’s 50-hour pre-professional service course before starting their first semester. Accepted applicants will gain access to this course after admission.
*Beginning Fall 2025, the K-6 and P-3 certification alternate route program will increase to 30 graduate credits.
*F1/J1 seeking students are not eligible for this program.
Please refer to our teacher education and certification page for information on other options in teacher education as well as our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.
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.
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 of corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admission.
- 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 Modified Alternate Route P-3 (Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification) 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 as classroom climate?
- Standard 1:
- Standardized Test Scores: See information on the Center of Pedagogy’s website. Praxis II scores in content area are required.
- Resume: Required
- Copy of Teacher Certification is Optional (but may be requested)
- 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.
The Modified Alternate Route P-3 (Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification) program consists of 24 credits of hybrid coursework. View the full curriculum in the Modified Alternate Route P-3 (Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification) listing in the University Catalog.
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 Modified Alternate Route P-3 (Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification) Program Coordinator:
Program Coordinator: Mia Kirk
Office: University Hall
Email: kirkm@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-655-7101