Everything You Need to Know About Teacher Certification in New Jersey
If you’re planning on becoming a teacher in New Jersey, it’s important to understand the state’s teacher certification requirements, as they can have a significant impact on your career prospects. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what you need to know about teacher certification in New Jersey.
Types of Teacher Certification in New Jersey
In New Jersey, there are several types of teacher certification that you may qualify for, depending on your experience and educational background. These include:
- Standard Certification: This is the most common type of teacher certification in New Jersey and requires a bachelor’s degree, completion of an approved teacher preparation program, and passing scores on the appropriate Praxis exams.
- Provisional Certification: If you have a bachelor’s degree but have not completed an approved teacher preparation program, you may qualify for provisional certification. This type of certification is valid for up to two years and requires you to complete an approved program during that time.
- Certificate of Eligibility (CE): If you have a bachelor’s degree but have not completed a teacher preparation program or passed the appropriate Praxis exams, you may qualify for a CE. This allows you to work in a classroom while you work towards completing the necessary requirements for standard certification.
- Alternate Route Certification: If you have a bachelor’s degree but not in education, you may qualify for an alternate route certification program, which provides nontraditional paths to teaching certification.
Praxis Exams in New Jersey
In addition to completing a teacher preparation program, you’ll also need to pass the appropriate Praxis exams to become certified in New Jersey. The specific exams you’ll need to take depend on the subject and grade level you’ll be teaching. These exams are designed to test your knowledge and skills in your chosen subject area, as well as your teaching abilities.
Continuing Education Requirements for New Jersey Teachers
Once you’ve obtained your teacher certification in New Jersey, you’ll also need to complete continuing education requirements in order to keep your certification current. These requirements include completing a certain number of professional development hours each year and renewing your certification every five years.
Conclusion
Becoming a certified teacher in New Jersey requires completing a rigorous process that includes a bachelor’s degree, completion of an approved teacher preparation program, passing the appropriate Praxis exams, and completing continuing education requirements. By understanding the requirements and process, you can better plan your career path as a teacher in New Jersey.
