Caldwell College New Jersey
Apply Now

Teacher Certification FAQs/Praxis Information

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 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.

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 August 2011 the scores required are as follows:

PRAXIS II: SUBJECT ASSESSMENTS/SPECIALTY AREA TESTS SCHOOL LEADERSHIP SERIES TESTS

PASSING SCORES REQUIRED FOR LICENSURE

Content Knowledge

CODE TEST
 10022-Early Childhood Content Knowledge
5022-Early Childhood Content Knowledge *
10133-Art: Content Knowledge
0101-Business Education*
10014-Elementary Education: Content Knowledge
5014-Elementary Education: Content Knowledge*
10049-Middle School English Language Arts
5049-Middle School English Language Arts *
20069-Middle School Mathematics
20089-Middle School Social Studies
5089-Middle School Social Studies *
10439-Middle School Science
10041-English Language, Literature, and Composition
10120-Family and Consumer Sciences
5174-French: Content Knowledge*
5183-German: Content Knowledge*
5195-Spanish: Content Knowledge*
20856-Health & Physical Ed: Content Knowledge
10560-Marketing Education
10061-Mathematics: Content Knowledge
10113-Music: Content Knowledge
10091-Physical Education: Content Knowledge
10435-General Science: Content Knowledge
20235-Biology: Content Knowledge
20245-Chemistry: Content Knowledge
20571-Earth Science: Content Knowledge
10265-Physics: Content Knowledge
10081-Social Studies: Content Knowledge
10220-Speech Communication
10204-Teaching of Reading
5204-Teaching of Reading*
10640-Theatre
10050-Technology Education
20330-Speech-Language Pathology
11011-School Leaders Licensure Assessment
6011-School Leaders Licensure Assessment*
11020-School Superintendent Assessment

PASSING SCORE
 159
159
150 available Dec 2011
154
141
141
156
156 available Nov 2011
152
158
158 available Nov 2011
145
162
550
162
163
168
151
630
137
153
148
152
152
152
153
141
157
560
159
159 available Nov 11
570
570
550
163 last administered 9/11
163 available Jan 2012
151

* computer delivered tests

  • candidate who graduates on or after September 1, 2004 with a GPA that is below 2.75, but at least 2.50 when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade, and whose score in the appropriate State required test of subject matter knowledge exceeds the passing score by 10 percent (10%).
  • A candidate who graduates on or after September 1, 2004 with a GPA that is 3.5 or higher, when a GPA of 4.00 equals an A grade, but whose score in the appropriate State required test of subject matter knowledge falls below the passing score by no more than 5 percent (5%).
    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?

Some Praxis tests are given in a computer-delivered format and are given by appointment. Please see www.ets.org/praxis/register for further information on registering for and scheduling a computer-delivered test. Praxis tests that are offered in a paper-delivered format are offered on fixed dates throughout the year. Please see the table below for test dates and deadlines. Additional information can be found at www.ets.org/praxis/register.

2011 – 12 Dates for Paper-Delivered Administrations

Test Date
Registration Must Be Received by***
Late Registration Must Be Received by (with $45 LATE FEE)
Emergency Registration Must Be Received By (Web Only with $75 Fee)
Outside U.S.
Monday Centers in U.S. or Puerto Rico
Multiple Choice Scores by Phone
Multiple Choice Approximate Score Reporting Dates
Constructed Response Scores By Phone
Constructed Response Approximate Score Reporting Dates
9/17/11*
8/18/11
8/25/11
9/9/11
7/21/11
8/4/11
10/7/11
10/11/11
10/14/11
10/18/11
11/12/11
10/13/11
10/20/11
11/4/11
9/15/11
9/29/11
12/2/11
12/6/11
12/9/11
12/13/11
1/14/12*
12/15/11
12/22/11
1/6/12
11/18/11
12/2/11
2/3/12
2/7/12
2/10/12
2/14/12
3/10/12
2/9/12
2/16/12
3/2/12
1/12/12
1/26/12
3/30/12
4/3/12
4/6/12
4/10/12
4/28/12*
3/29/12
4/5/12
4/20/12
3/1/12
3/15/12
5/18/12
5/22/12
5/25/12
5/29/12
6/9/12*
5/10/12
5/17/12
6/1/12
4/12/12
4/26/12
6/29/12
7/3/12
7/6/12
7/10/12
7/21/12
6/21/12
6/28/12
7/13/12
5/24/12
6/7/12
8/10/12
8/14/12
8/17/12
8/21/12
  • Detailed information concerning the Praxis is available by reviewing the Registration Bulletin (copies available in the Education Office) or by checking the website: : The Praxis Series®.

NOTES:
1)Your completed registration form and payment must be received by the appropriate date, or you will be charged an extended registration fee of $45.
2)Not all test centers are open on all test dates. Please refer to the test center list on the Praxis website at www.ets.org/praxis.
* Accommodations for test takers whose Primary Language is Not English (PLNE) are available on these test dates.
** U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam should adhere to regular registration deadlines.
*** Allow 7-10 days for delivery of mail within the continental United States and more time for delivery to other areas.

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, physical education, or health. 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 needs to complete a K-12 program in a specific discipline (Math, Science, English, Social Studies, Art, Music, or Foreign Language). The student can then teach that subject upon passing the required Praxis examination.

OR

  • The student can complete the K-5 program by taking the K-5 praxis (Elementary Education: Content Knowledge #10014) and the appropriate Middle School Praxis test, (Middle School English Language Arts (#10049), Middle School Mathematics (20069), Middle School Social Studies (20089), or Middle School Science #10439). Note: Students taking this route must also take PS 216 Adolescent Psychology 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 5, or a grade 6 to 8 in a self contained setting.

9. I want to teach pre-school. What are the requirements for certification?

  • Elementary Education majors must complete three additional courses—Prenatal and Infant Psychology, Curriculum in Early Childhood Education and Methods of Early Childhood Education to receive the pre school endorsement.

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. Therefore, the majority of our students do not have to take the examination. Anyone without the proper course work applying for instructional certification must pass an examination in physiology and hygiene, including the affects of narcotics and alcohol. (This is available in the office of certification office)

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.
  • 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.

DEPARTMENT CONTACTS

Dr. Robert J. Rosado, Office of Certification and Field Placement Director • 973-618-3629
Jeanne Polledri, Office of Certification and Field Placement Coordinator • 973-618-3551
Gloria Friedman, Faculty Secretary/Office of Certification and Field Placement Assistant • 973-618-3407