Alternate Route and 50 Hour Pre-Professional Requirement

Various alternate route programs are offered through William Paterson University's College of Education, providing a two-year teacher preparation program for those holding a Certificate of Eligibility and a job as a teacher. In addition to holding the CE, a 50-hour pre-professional requirement must be completed.  Click below to access registration details for the 50-hour course related to your certification and for details on the alternate route programs at WP!

Career and Technical Education Alternate Route
Program Webpage: Click Here
50-Hour Pre-Professional Requirement Link: Click Here
Prior to registering (or for additional information about the program), please contact program director David Ferrier at careerandtech@wpunj.edu 

English as a Second Language Alternate Route Program
Program Webpage: Click Here
50-Hour Pre-Professional Requirement Link: Click Here
Prior to registering (or for additional information about the program), please contact program director Dr. Alison Dobrick at dobricka@wpunj.edu

Elementary Education Alternate Route Program 
Program Webpage: Click Here
50-Hour Pre-Professional Requirement Link: Click here
Prior to registering (or for additional information about the program), please contact program director Dr. Alison Dobrick at dobricka@wpunj.edu

Pre-School Through Grade 3 Program (Early Childhood) Alternate Route
Program Webpage: Click Here
50-Hour Pre-Professional Requirement Link: Click Here
Prior to registering (or for additional information about the program), please contact program director Dr. Anita Kumar at kumara1@wpunj.edu

Secondary Education Alternate Route Program (Those becoming certified to teach one subject)
Program Webpage: Click Here
50-Hour Pre-Professional Requirement Link: Click Here
Prior to registering (or for additional information about the program), please contact program director Dr. Alison Dobrick at dobricka@wpunj.edu

What is the Alternate Route for Teacher Preparation?

 The alternate route is a wonderful way to begin a teaching career without a background in teacher preparation or a major in education.  Those who hold a bachelor's degree could consider this pathway, which provides the opportunity to work as a teacher, earning salary and benefits in a NJ public school while pursuing a state-approved alternate route teacher preparation program.  The first step is to pursue a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a Limited Certificate of Eligibility from the NJ Department of Education.  After obtaining a CE or Limited CE, you can begin to pursue employment as a teacher.  You can take a state-required 50-hour pre-professional course at WP, of which evidence of completion will allow a district to hire you as a teacher of record.  It is up to you to pursue a job as an alternate route teacher.

William Paterson University also offers traditional paths towards teacher certification would require you be admitted to a teacher preparation program (such as the MAT) and be placed as an intern in clinical experience and a yearlong clinical practice in elementary classrooms of an experienced teacher.  As a clinical intern, you would teach and co-teach with the classroom teacher.  You would be pursuing either a CEAS or Limited CEAS at the end of your program.