Guide to Alternate Route Licensure in Technology Education

The Alternate Route program is a non-traditional teacher preparation program designed for those individuals who HAVE NOT completed a formal teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university, but wish to obtain the necessary training to become a NJ certified teacher.

Important Note: In 2004, the state of New Jersey created a standard instructional license endorsement for “Teacher of Technology Education.” This document is intended to clarify who is qualified to receive this endorsement via the alternate route teacher certification process.  Please note that there are other general requirements than those that are listed below and that this document is not intended to explain the entire process for alternate route licensure.  For more information about alternate route, please refer to this New Jersey Department of Education web page.

In addition, the NJDOE County Information and Services offices may be able to help individuals with the process of certification.

In order to receive the Certificate of Eligibility for Teacher of Technology Education, you must have completed a 30 credit coherent sequence of study in the field and obtain a passing score of 570 or better on the Praxis Technology Education test.  A coherent sequence of study requires a minimum of twelve credits at the advanced level of study (junior, senior or graduate level) in the subject field.  All credits must appear on the transcript of an accredited four-year college or university.

 

Degree Programs that Qualify

Because of their close relationship to the content outlined in Standards for Technological Literacy (STL) published by the International Technology Education Association, if you hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any of the following fields, you will qualify for the certificate of eligibility in Technology Education:

  • Technological Studies
  • Industrial Technology
  • Engineering
  • Industrial Design
  • Architecture

 

Qualifying Under Other Degree Programs

If you hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than those specified above, you may qualify if you have completed a 30 credit coherent sequence of study in courses that align to STL.  These courses must be in the areas specified:

  1. At least 3 credits of coursework that address the nature of technology or technology and society.  Appropriate course titles may include, but are not limited to: Fundamentals of Technology, Technology and Culture, Technology and Society, Technology and the Environment, History of Technology, Technology and Ethics.
  2. At least 3 credits of coursework that address technological design.  Appropriate course titles may include, but are not limited to: Creative Design, Technological Design Fundamentals, Industrial Design, Engineering Design, Architectural Design, Design and Problem Solving, Computer Aided Design.
  3. At least 3 credits of coursework that address the use of tools and materials and safety related to using tools and materials.  Appropriate course titles may include, but are not limited to: Materials Laboratory, Manufacturing and Materials Processing, Manufacturing Processes, Safety in Manufacturing, Production Methods, Machine Tool Technology, and Occupational Safety.
  4. At least 3 credits in three of the following “The Designed World” areas of STL with a 9 credit concentration in at least one of the areas (in general, these terms should appear in the course title or description):
    1. Medical Technologies
    2. Agricultural and Related Biotechnologies
    3. Energy and Power Technologies
    4. Information and Communication Technologies
    5. Transportation Technologies
    6. Manufacturing Technologies
    7. Construction Technologies

In general, Computer Science, Computer Network Administration, and other similar degrees do not necessarily qualify for Technology Education teacher certification.  A 30 credit coherent sequence of coursework must be aligned to STL and the above areas.

Similar course titles offered in separate departments may be different.  For example, a course titled “Introduction to Design” that is offered in an engineering program is different than a course “Introduction to Design” offered in an art department.  Course descriptions may need to be referenced in order to determine whether or not they address content as outlined in STL.

 

  

Understanding how and why students study technology and engineering K-12

Download/Print the TeachTechNJ.org brochure

Technology Education Careers Workshops

See video highlights from previous events

Testimonials about teaching Technology Education in New Jersey

TeachTechNJ related groups on Facebook:Career Changers College Students HS Students & Parents

 
 

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