Q. How do I qualify for the provisional teacher program?

A. In order to qualify you must have a bachelor’s degree and at least a 2.75 grade point average (GPA). (It may be possible to qualify with a 2.5 GPA and a higher Praxis II score. See ‘Praxis Testing/GPA Flexibility at the link below. You then must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the NJ State Department of Education. Information on the Provisional Teacher Program is available at the following web-site: http://www.state.nj.us/education/educators/license/(see disclaimer below).

Q. How do I obtain a Certificate of Eligibility?

A. You must first decide the subject area where you plan to teach, i.e., Elementary Education (K-5), Math, Music, Business, Social Studies, etc. You then need to submit your official transcripts to the New Jersey Department of Education Certification Division for review. This can be done through the County Superintendent’s Office in the New Jersey County where you work or live. You also need to submit evidence that you have passed the Praxis exam, offered through ETS (link below), that corresponds to the certificate you are requesting. Information on test content is available on the website as well.

http://www.ets.org/praxis (see disclaimer below)

Q. What is the next step once I receive a Certificate of Eligibility to teach?

A. The Certificate of Eligibility entitles you to seek a teaching position. Once a district makes a commitment to hire you the district notifies the New Jersey State Department of Education Provisional Teacher Program (609)-984-6377.

Q. How do I enroll in the Provisional Teacher Program?

A. The district that has offered you employment must enroll you in the Provisional Teaching Program. They do this by contacting the State Department of Education Provisional Teacher Program coordinator in Trenton. The coordinator will then send a packet of information to the district and place you in one of the approved state programs. If you want to attend the Ramapo College Program check the enrollment form from the NJDOE for Ramapo College-Pequannock site.

Q. What are the requirements for the Provisional Teacher Program?

A. You must complete 200 hours of professional development offered in three phases (Phase 1-80 hours, Phase 2-60 hours, Phase 3-60 hours). Each provisional teacher program sets their schedule of classes. Classes at the Ramapo College off campus site located at Pequannock High School run from September through May two days per week from 4 – 7 p.m (4-8PM for the first five sessions only).

Q. How do I pay for the program?

A. Payment for the provisional teacher program is made at the beginning of each Phase of instruction ($580 for Phase 1 and $435 for each of Phases 2 and 3 -total $1450). Checks or Money Orders are made payable to Ramapo College of NJ PTP.

Q. What requirements must you meet to receive my standard certificate?

A. Complete and receive a satisfactory rating for each of the three Phases of the Provisional Teacher Program. Receive a satisfactory rating from your school district. If you are employed part-time you must complete a full time equivalent of one teaching year (with half-time employment, it would take two years to complete the teaching requirement).

Q. What are the requirements for mentoring?

A. The mentoring requirement information can be obtained from the New Jersey Department of Education website.