COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS CONCERNING TEACHER CERTIFICATION IN NEW JERSEY
1. What is the required GPA to become a certified teacher in NJ?
- The State of New Jersey currently requires that all students graduating after September 2004 have a GPA of 2.75 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade in a baccalaureate degree program. Caldwell University requires a GPA of 3.0 for Education students.
2. What types of certifications are available in New Jersey?
- There are three types of credentials, Instructional, Educational Services, and Administrative. There are specific endorsements in each one of these certificates. Example – Certificate Instructional – possible Endorsements–elementary teacher, teacher of English, or Special Education.
(Please refer to the website: NJ Department of Education for more information.
3. When is the best time for me to take the Praxis test?
- You should take the test while you are enrolled in either the ED340 or ED 348 course. By taking this test early in your education you have the opportunity to take it again if failed. Be advised you must pass the test prior to student teaching.
4. What are the required Praxis scores?
As of September 2014 the following is required:
PRAXIS II: SUBJECT ASSESSMENTS/SPECIALTY AREA TESTS SCHOOL LEADERSHIP SERIES TESTS
PASSING SCORES REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE
There are changes in the Praxis II requirement for Elementary candidate – your requirement will depend on which situation below applies to you:
*If you have passed all four required sections of the Elementary Praxis II (5031) on or before August 31, 2014, your scores will be accepted for Elementary Certification by the NJDOE.
*5031 Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Test
- 5032 Reading and Language Arts Subtest
- 5033 Mathematics Subtest
- 5034 Social Studies Subtest
- 5035 Science Subtest
If you have taken either the overall test (5031) or one of more subtests (5032, 5033, 5034, 5035) on or before August 31, 2014 but you have not received a passing score in all four required sections yet, you will continue as planned and retake the subtest(s) you need: 5032, 5033, 5034 and/or 5035. **However, you must pass all 4 subtests by August 31, 2015. If you do not, you will need to take the new Elementary Education Subject test Series (5001) described below:
** 5001 (New) Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Test
- 5002 Reading and Language Arts Subtests
- 5003 Mathematics Subtest
- 5004 Social Studies Subtest
- 5005 Science Subtest
|CODE TEST||PASSING SCORE|
|5022-Early Childhood Content Knowledge (Computer)||159|
|5134-Art:Content Knowledge (Computer)||158|
|5031-Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (Computer)||N/A|
5032-Reading and Language Arts Subtest
5034-Social Studies Subtest
5035 -Science Subtest
* To pass the Elementary Education: MultipleSubjects test you must receive a passing scoreon each subtest. You must take the full test onyour initial attempt. If after your first attempt youdid not pass one of the individual subtests, you maytake just that subtest again for a reduced fee.
|5047-Middle School English Language Arts (Computer)||164|
|5169-Middle School Mathematics||165|
|5089-Middle School Social Studies (Computer)||158|
|0439-Middle School Science||145|
|5038-English Language, Literature and Composition(Computer)||167|
|5174-French: World Language (Computer)||162|
|5195-Spanish: World Language (Computer)||168|
|5161-Mathematics: Content Knowledge (Computer)||160|
|5113-Music: Content Knowledge (Computer)||153|
|5435-General Science: Content Knowledge (Computer)||152|
|5235-Biology: Content Knowledge (Computer)||152|
|5245-Chemistry: Content Knowledge (Computer)||152|
|5081-Social Studies: Content Knowledge (Computer)||157|
|6011-School Leaders Licensure Assessment (Computer)||163|
|6021-School Superintendent Assessment (Computer)||160|
PASSING SCORES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
- New Jersey requires a Social Security number (SSN) in order to process educator certification paperwork. ETS does not require your SSN for its own purposes, but will submit it to New Jersey with your test results. Failure to provide your SSN could delay processing of your certification application.
5. When are the Praxis paper tests given?
- Beginning with the 2014–15 testing year, ETS will discontinue paper-delivered testing. However, tests will be available in a paper-delivered format as required for ADA accommodations. All scores for previously administered paper-delivered tests are reportable for 10 years from the date the test was taken.
- For information on computer-delivered testing and dates, visit – http://www.ets.org/praxis/register/centers_dates/
6. What are the requirements to teach High School?
- A student needs to complete a K-12 program that includes at least 30 hours in a specific discipline, math, science, language arts, social studies, art, music, or foreign language. The student can then teach that subject upon passing the required Praxis examination.
7. What is required to teach in a Middle School?
- A student who has completed a K-12 program in a specific discipline (Math, Science, English or Social Studies), and holds a certificate for that subject can seek a Middle School Endorsement in a different subject area providing they have 15 credits in that subject area and have passed the appropriate Praxis
- The student can complete the K-6 program by taking the K-6 Praxis (Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects #5001) and subject matter endorsement and the appropriate Middle School Praxis test, (Middle School English Language Arts #5047, Middle School Mathematics #5169, Middle School Social Studies #5089 or Middle School Science #5440). Note: Students taking the Elementary route must also take PS 216 Adolescent Psychology and ED 348 Secondary Content Learning and Literacy in order to be eligible for the Middle School Certificate.
8. I only want to teach Elementary school. What endorsement do I need?
- The Elementary School Teacher endorsement allows the bearer to teach Kindergarten through Grade 6.
9. I want to teach pre-school. What are the requirements for certification?
- Elementary Education majors must complete two additional courses—Curriculum in Early Childhood Education (ED333) and Methods of Early Childhood Education (ED332) to receive the preschool endorsement. You must also take and pass the Early Childhood: Content Knowledge Praxis (#0022 or 5022).
10. What is the Physiology and Hygiene Requirement?
- Caldwell students are provided with the required information in the Biological Principles and Biological Principles Lab classes.
11. What is the difference between a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) and a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing? (CEAS)?
- The CE is issued to persons who have completed a degree program of academic study and passed the applicable test requirements for certification. The CE permits the applicant to seek and accept employment in positions requiring certification. A Provisional Teacher Program (classes/induction/mentoring for alternate route candidates) is required. Under the direction of the principal the bearer is mentored and at the completion of the mentoring period, and Provisional Teacher Program can be recommended for a permanent certificate. Districts enroll students in mentoring.
- A CEAS is issued to persons who have completed an approved college teacher preparation program. Upon employment the bearer needs to be mentored in the school district for one year. Upon completion of the mentoring period the principal may recommended the candidate for a permanent certificate.
Dr. Robert J. Rosado, Office of Certification and Field Placement Director • 973-618-3629
Gloria Friedman, Office of Certification and Field Placement Coordinator • 973-618-3551.
Audrey McGowan, Faculty Secretary/Office of Certification and Field Placement Assistant • 973-618-3523.