CERTIFICATION

**Eligibility for Certification**

Candidates for teacher certification must have sufficient undergraduate coursework in their certification area.  For elementary education, students need 60 hours of credits in arts & science areas (e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Chemistry, Biology, Modern Language, Economics, Statistics, etc.).  Within the 60 credit hours, students need 2 classes in mathematics, 2 in a hard science, 2 in Engligh language or literature, and 1 in U.S. history.  Students who are missing any of these prerequisites may be admitted to the program but may not complete it or be certified until the prerequisites are met.

For secondary subject areas, students need 30 hours of study in their field, including 12 at the 300 or 400 level.  For Mathematics, 12 credits of engineering coursework may be accepted, but courses in accounting and finance are not recognized as math classes.  For English, journalism, communication, and theater classes may count toward the 30 hours, but students need at least 12 hours of literature coursework.  For Social Studies, students need 15 hours of history, including at least 1 world and 1 U.S. history class, and must also have taken classes covering the areas of geography, economics, political science, and sociology/anthropology.  The Sciences are straightforward, but students should note that they need 30 hours in a single science discipline, i.e. there is no "generic" science certification.

Applying for Certification

Certification is not issued automatically upon program (course) completion. During the final semester of coursework, candidates must submit two types of applications. It is highly recommended that candidates initiate this process early during their final months of their program.

1. The Application for Completion of TCNJ Certificate Program
This form prompts The College to post “Completion of Certificate Program” on the student’s permanent academic records (transcript) and to issue a certificate of completion to the student. The appropriate form may be downloaded from the TCNJ website under graduate studies.

2. Certification Application

Students are eligible for certification in the specific program in which they are enrolled. NJ Certification applications are available at TCNJ’s global sites. Also, upon request, the application will be sent by TCNJ’s Certification Office. The application is not available on-line. It is strongly recommended that candidates for certification submit application materials at the time of program completion.

TYPES OF CERTIFICATION

In all U.S. states, schools employ teachers and administrators based upon two things: attainment of appropriate professional credentials and eligibility for employment (as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident). Therefore, we offer the New Jersey Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) for US citizens or the Certificate of Qualification (CQ) for non-US citizens. The required coursework for both of these groups is identical.

The Certificate of Qualification (CQ) was designed especially for non-US citizens who meet the program requirements for teacher (instructional) certification but do not have a US Social Security number and/or have not taken the appropriate PRAXIS examination. The CQ is recognized by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools as a valid and complete teaching credential for teachers who work in overseas schools.

The Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) is the initial instructional certificate issued by the New Jersey State Department of Education. U.S. citizens who have taken the appropriate praxis exam are eligible. It enables the individuals to work in New Jersey schools.

CERTIFICATION IN OTHER STATES WITHIN THE US

Each of the 50 states determines its own credentialing regulations regarding both teacher's (instructional) and administrative certification. A list regarding "reciprocity" among state-approved programs is available at www.nasdtec.org.

Notes added by TCNJ Certification office:
1. “Reciprocity” means State-approved programs are accepted among contracted States. Candidates must obtain, complete, and submit certification materials to the appropriate State office for licensure issuance.
2. Candidates need to obtain test requirement information of the State in which a credential is being sought.
3. A few licensure categories may be “Instructional” in one state and “Support” in another state. Therefore, reciprocity will depend on the policies of the State in which the credential is being sought. (ie: speech-language specialist, ESL)

In order to be certified in another state in the US, after program completion, candidates need to: 1.) Pass required tests in the US state where they are seeking certification in their area of enrollment at TCNJ; 2.) Obtain, complete, and submit the certification application (of the state in which certification is sought); and 3.) Contact the TCNJ Certification Office for an official “Institutional Recommendation” that verifies completion of a state-approved program through TCNJ.

CERTIFICATION FEES

In 2008 the state of New Jersey adopted a new certification fee schedule*. The new fees now apply regardless of the semester in which applicants completed their programs.

CEAS in Elementary or Secondary Subject Area: $190.00 (requires appropriate Praxis test)
CE for School Administrator (Principal): $190.00 (requires appropriate Praxis test)
CEAS in ESL: $170.00 (does not require a Praxis test)
Standard ESL Endorsement (for those who are already certified in another area): $95.00
CQ: No Fee (does not require a Praxis test)

*subject to change according to State

PRAXIS EXAMINATION

Students need to arrange to take the Praxis exam on their own.  This information is available at www.praxis.org.  There is currently no PRAXIS requirement for ESL certification or for non-U.S. citizens seeking the Certificate of Qualification (CQ).