Application Requirements and Procedures

Those interested in completing the requirements for the University Certificate in Teacher Preparation and/or the NJ CEAS license must apply for admission to the Program in Teacher Preparation. The application form is online and is typically provided after an initial interview with the director or program staff member. To be considered for admission, students who begin the program as undergraduates must have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 at the time of application. The state requires that cohorts of admitted students have an overall GPA of 3.0, and students with a GPA below 3.0 may be denied admittance if their GPA lowers the cohort average below the 3.0 requirement. 

In order to be eligible for New Jersey CEAS license, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the completion of the program. Current graduate students, as well as Princeton undergraduate and graduate alumni who choose the post-baccalaureate option must provide an undergraduate transcript for review. Post-baccalaureate students must have a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to enter the program (subject to the 3.0 cohort GPA requirement described above) and complete the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their post-baccalaureate coursework in order to be recommended for the NJ CEAS teaching license.

Students with a GPA below 3.0 at the completion of the program, either undergraduate, graduate, or alumni, may still be eligible for certification if other conditions set by the State are met in regard to GPA and Praxis Subject Area test scores.

The New Jersey State Department of Education requires all candidates entering a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) educator preparation program to take the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test to meet the State’s basic skills requirement prior to being accepted into the program. A candidate who  demonstrates a score on the SAT, ACT, or GRE at or  above the State cut score for the year in which the exam was taken is exempt from taking the test. This requirement will no longer  be in effect after January 1, 2025. For information about the required cut score, please visit https://www.nj.gov/ education/certification/testing/basicskills/.

All applicants must provide a reference for their admission to the program. The reference may be a former teacher, a current or former professor or college administrator, or any professional who can attest to the student’s potential as a teacher.

Students who do not intend on completing the State License Level may request a waiver of the GPA and Basic Skills requirements for admission and may request a reduction in the 30 credit subject area requirement. 

As a condition for teacher licensure, the State of New Jersey requires individuals to submit an Oath of Allegiance/ Verification of Accuracy form that asks candidates to sign a statement supporting the U.S. Constitution and the N.J. State Constitution. The form also contains several background questions. Candidates are provided this form at application to help determine if all requirements reflected in the form can be met.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to inform the program of any change of status during their work in the program that would result in a change of response to any question on the Oath of Allegiance form.

Contact Dr. Todd Kent to obtain detailed information about the requirements and to secure all application materials.