How to Become an Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey

If you love working with children, learning something new every day, and bringing energy and creativity into the classroom, becoming an elementary school teacher in New Jersey could be a great fit for you.

Elementary school teachers play an instrumental role in shaping young minds and setting children up for a lifetime of learning. In New Jersey — the No. 1 state in the nation for education, according to U.S. News & World Report — you could join a cohort of some of the country’s best educators.

Keep reading to learn more about teaching in New Jersey and how you could earn your certification in the Garden State.

Comprehensive Guide on How to Become a Teacher in New Jersey

Elementary school teachers need a healthy dose of patience, a passion for working with children, and the ability to juggle teaching several different subjects every day. While there are a few specifics to earning a certification to teach at the elementary level (the certification exams you’ll take, for example), for the most part, elementary school teachers follow the same steps as middle and high school teachers.

For an overview of the process, check out the How to Become a Teacher in New Jersey guide. You’ll learn about the steps to certification in New Jersey along with information about certificate types, exams, and more.

What Do You Need to Be an Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey?

New Jersey requires teachers to:

• Have a bachelor’s degree
• Complete an Educator Preparation Program (EPP)
• Pass the required certification exams
• Clear a background check

If you don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree, that’s your first step, and you’re probably about 4 years away from earning your certification.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you don’t have to start the process over. You can complete an alternative or graduate-level EPP and earn your teaching certification.

Moreland University’s online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can be completed in as little as 9 months. TEACH-NOW has rolling admissions and monthly start dates, so you could start the program whenever is most convenient for you.

An important note: TEACH-NOW is an out-of-state EPP in New Jersey, so you would need to earn your teaching license in another state and use New Jersey’s reciprocity process to transfer the credential. Educators using this process may need to meet further requirements, such as passing additional exams and/or providing proof of prior teaching experience.

For more details, visit the New Jersey Department of Education’s page on reciprocity.

Steps to Becoming an Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey

Reciprocity

Aspiring elementary school teachers in New Jersey have several paths to choose from, including traditional and alternative routes to certification as well as the reciprocity route for teachers who complete an out-of-state EPP.

Here’s an example of the reciprocity process for a teacher who completes an out-of-state program, earns a D.C. teaching license, and then transfers the credential to New Jersey:

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree. This degree does not have to be in education, so if you already have your degree, you can mark this step complete.
2. Complete an EPP. Moreland’s TEACH-NOW program can be completed in just 9 months.
3. Pass the required certification exams for D.C. For example, you might take the Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test and the Principles of Learning and Teaching exam for grades K-6.
4. Submit your fingerprints for a background check and apply for your D.C. teacher credential.
5. Use reciprocity to apply for your New Jersey certification. The state outlines the process on its website.
6. Complete any additional requirements. This could include taking additional exams and/or providing proof of two years of teaching experience (within a three-year period).

This is just one example of how to become an elementary school teacher in New Jersey. For more detailed information, visit the New Jersey Department of Education’s page on reciprocity.

In-State Certification Process

If you choose an in-state EPP in New Jersey, you’ll follow a similar process:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree.
2. Complete an EPP. The New Jersey Department of Education has a list of approved programs.
3. Pass the required exams, such as the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects test.
4. Complete a background check.
5. Submit your New Jersey application through the state’s certification portal.

Again, this is just one potential pathway to becoming an elementary school teacher in New Jersey. For more information, visit the state DOE website.

Why Reciprocity Might Make Sense for You

While New Jersey’s in-state pathway to certification might work well for some aspiring educators, others may seek the flexibility of an out-of-state option.

Ask yourself:

• How quickly do you want to earn your teacher certification?
• Do you prefer in-person classes or are you more suited to online instruction?
• Do you want to start right away or wait for a new school year or semester?

Once you find the EPP that best fits your needs and goals, that can help you determine your ideal pathway.

Can You Become an Elementary School Teacher in New Jersey Without a Teaching Degree?

Yes, aspiring elementary school teachers can get certified in New Jersey without a bachelor’s degree in education. New Jersey welcomes career changers, and your experience outside of teaching could be a huge asset as you work with your students and encourage them to explore their own passions and interests.

If you have more questions about becoming an elementary school teacher in New Jersey, check out our New Jersey teacher certification page, which goes into more detail about the process and offers guidance on transitioning into teaching in the Garden State.

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Take the next step in your career with Moreland University. Earn your teaching certification in as little as 9 months or your certification plus an M.Ed. in as little as 12 months. Our programs are accredited and 100% online, with rolling admissions and monthly start dates.

Apply for free (the application only takes about 15 minutes), and you’ll hear back within 2 business days.