Earn your official New Jersey teaching credentials through the Elementary Education K-6 Certificate, Alternate Route online program from William Paterson University. Coursework will strengthen your ability to design and deliver lessons that meet NJ student learning standards for elementary students. Expand your ability to create a positive classroom environment, assess student progress, and modify your instruction for students from diverse social and academic backgrounds. Utilize new knowledge in your current role by applying observation feedback from our industry-expert faculty.
This alternate route is for candidates who have earned an undergraduate degree, hold a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or Limited CE in Elementary K-6, and already work as a K-6 teacher of record in a New Jersey school. To earn a master’s degree, WP requires the completion of only two additional courses following this program.
In addition to earning your K-6 certification, you may also pursue a Middle School grades 5-8 subject area endorsement. This option is available to candidates who have a second CE in a Middle School subject area and are currently working as a grades 5-8 subject area teacher. Adding this endorsement allows you to deepen your content expertise and qualify to teach in both elementary and middle school settings, enhancing your versatility as an educator.
What is taught in the Elementary Education K-6 Certificate, Alternate Route program at William PatersonDemonstrate knowledge of learner development and diverse learning needsPlan differentiated instruction to address student learning needsApply strategies to establish a positive learning environmentEngage in culturally responsive educational practices with diverse learnersDemonstrate knowledge of content, pedagogy, and resources for instruction in elementary classroomsPlan for research-based literacy instruction to support students’ development in phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing text for different purposesPlan for research-based mathematics instruction to support students’ development in problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, conceptual understanding, and procedural fluencyDevelop learning objectives and opportunities that align to learning standardsEngage learners in inquiry-based learning and academic discourseAnalyze and design learner assessments to support learningDevelop success criteria based on learning objectives and engage learners in analyzing their developmentUse assessment data to inform instructional practicesReflect on and analyze teaching effectivenessCollaborate with families, colleagues, and the professional communityDemonstrate professional ethics and dispositions