Teacher Certification Essentials
Teacher certification is a process that
takes time and patience and leads to
the award of a lifetime teaching
credential.
Ms. Kerri Long
Certification Officer
The College of New Jersey
Certification – Licensing
• To teach in a public or charter school
K-12 in New Jersey and in most other
states, or to teach in American
International schools around the
world, you must obtain a teaching
license issued by a state teacher
certification authority in the subject
specialization you plan to teach.
General Guidelines
1. Generally, states require a candidate to
• Hold a bachelors degree or masters degree in a subject
area (NJ - or 30 semester hour credits a specialization)
• Complete a teacher education program
• Prove basic skills (NJ- ACT, SAT, Praxis Core)
• Pass a rigorous content area test (NJ- Praxis II)
• Pass a performance assessment test(NJ 2017-2018)
• Complete the program with a qualifying GPA (3.0)
– *If you choose a NJ approved teacher preparation program
it will meet New Jersey requirements for the subject area
covered by the program
Prove Basic Skills Competency
• You can “superscore” your highest scores
on one of the exams,
but you cant mix and match between
the SAT and ACT
If you don’t achieve the minimum
SAT/ ACT scores…
• You will be required to pass a qualifying exam prior to formal acceptance
into the teacher preparation portion of your program at the institution you
choose.
• Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators – Test 5751
• 3 part test to gauge Reading, Writing and Math competency
• www.ets.org to look at a Praxis Core test sample
• FREE STUDY RESOURCES, www.kahnacademy.org
• Candidates are formally admitted to most programs as a rising sophomore
• As of 2016 no individual GPA below 2.75 will be accepted for entrance
• Some subject specializations are 3.0 minimum = a “B” average
*Regulations are subject to change annually. 2017 may bring higher cut scores
or higher standards.
Types of Instructional Certificates
There are 2 basic entry level certificates:
Certificates of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS)• Candidates who have been formally prepared through an institutional
teacher education program.
• Indicates to school administrators a candidate has been trained in the
craft.
Certificates of Eligibility (CE)
• Candidates without “formal teacher preparation”
• This route is often chosen by those who have earned a college degree and
have work experience but wish to switch careers.
Certificates CEAS -vs- CE
• Candidates who earn a CEAS have completed a “clinical internship” or
“student teaching “experience prior to seeking their first teaching position.
• Holders of a CE don’t offer this advantage.
• The CEAS and CE both give you the right to
seek work in the subject area stated on the
face of the certificate. When you get a job,
both CEAS and CE are replaced with a
provisional license.
• Once hired you can expect to spend up to 2
years working provisionally with a mentor in
the school district before earning a standard
license.
• CE candidates also go to school nights and
weekends.
• Sucessful completion leads to a standard
New Jersey teaching license. It is a
permanent LIFETIME credential !!
Subject Matter?
• One of the major choices you will make in choosing
to teach is selecting your subject.
• Math, Sciences: Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth
Science, Physical Science, Technology Education,
World Language, Special Education, English, Health
and PE, Elementary, Preschool, Art, Music, I-STEM,
Urban Education
• In demand - High needs subjects and districts
• 4 and 5 year programs are available leading to
multiple certifications
ave Tuition with Advanced Placement
• Tuition rages from $150-over $300 per semester hour credit with the
average college course @ 3 or 4 semester hour credits = $450- $900
• Consider the value of advanced placement transferred to your college
transcript!
• You need 15 semester hours of Spanish language on your college
transcript to meet subject matter requirements for middle school
teaching endorsement that would add on to your program certificate.
(Spanish language is a widely accepted elective.)
• If you earned 3 or 6 advanced placement credits in Spanish, the maximum
value ( including savings on time and books) could exceed $2000 in tuition!
• If you don’t like Spanish, pick another area…
• Speak to your Guidance Counselor about “advanced placement”
opportunities.
High Needs Disciplines = Employability
• There are scholarship , grant , loan forgiveness and funding
sources available for students who seek financial aid
opportunities in high needs subject areas or districts.
• Currently a Federal TEACH Grant - 3 years steady
employment in a high needs district can lead to a complete
loan payoff
• High needs districts and subject areas mean a better chance
of employment
• Some districts don’t hire a candidate unless he/she holds
more than one certificate.
Things to consider when choosing a
program…
Things to do…
1. Talk to teachers in the field you are interested in to gain
insight.
2. Participate in volunteer activities that lead to contact
with children and /or scholarship opportunities.
3. Keep your grades up!
4. Build great Reading, Writing, and Math skills to
ensure high scores on the SAT/ACT for entrance requirements.
5. Form study groups and share in each other’s strengths
6. Learn to study effectively
7. Overcome test anxiety
…By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. Benjamin Franklin
Now for the hard stuff…
Criminal offenses of any kind can permanently derail your teaching
career. This includes drug use, DUI, shoplifting and any other petty
minor offenses that you may think of as NBD.
Anytime police custody results in a conviction, even a misdemeanor,
a record is created. If that record is not expunged, any time you
apply for a teaching license, the details will have to be explained to
the State Board of Examiners (SBOE) reviewing the license
application. If the SBOE reviews the case and decides in your favor,
a license can
…So my good friends, teachers of tomorrow, stay far away from
trouble.