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New Jersey Career and Technical Education (CTE) Alternate Route Teacher Program

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Alternate Route Program is designed for individuals who want to become certified teachers in New Jersey but have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program through a college or university.

This pathway allows experienced professionals to transition into teaching and share their industry expertise with the next generation of skilled workers. Graduates may teach in vocational schools, career academies, or comprehensive high schools that offer programs within their CTE subject area.

Is a Career in CTE Teaching Right for You?

You may be a great candidate if you:

  • Aspire to become a teacher but do not have a degree in education.
  • Have professional experience in a career and technical field such as:

    • Automotive Technology
    • Culinary Arts
    • Audio Visual Technology
    • Graphic Design
    • And many others
  • Are seeking a meaningful career change and want to make a difference in students’ lives.

Program Overview

Brookdale’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Alternate Route Teacher Certification Program provides the instruction and support needed to enter the teaching profession through a New Jersey Department of Education-approved program.

Through this program, participants gain the knowledge, skills, and classroom preparation required to pursue New Jersey teacher certification in their CTE endorsement area.

Find Your Endorsement Area

Learn more about available CTE endorsement areas and certification codes.

The CTE Program Application for our current semester is available!

Apply: Alternate Route to Teaching Program

Career and Technical Education Certificate of Eligibility Educator Preparation Program (CTE CE EPP) — 250 hours

Candidates may apply for and begin Phase 1: 50-Hour Pre-Professional Experience without a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) or a teaching position. However, both are required to continue into Phase 2: 200-Hour Educator Preparation Program.

Program Costs

Phase 1: 50-Hour Pre-Professional Experience
  • Tuition: $396*
  • Textbooks not included
Phase 2: 200-Hour Educator Preparation Program
  • Total Cost: $2,948*
  • Paid in two semester installments of $1,474
  • Textbooks not included

*Tuition is based on Brookdale Community College’s current rates and is subject to change.

Financial Assistance

Federal financial aid is not available for this program. Students may choose to pursue private loans.

Learn more: Continuing Education Scholarship

Start Dates

Phase 1

The 50-hour Pre-Professional Experience is offered throughout the year. Upcoming start dates will be shared with candidates after submission of a completed application.

Phase 2

The 200-hour program is offered in cohorts beginning in the Fall and Spring semesters. Each semester consists of 15-weeks of instruction.

What to Expect

The CTE CE EPP is a hybrid program that combines online coursework with scheduled virtual class meetings.

Phase 1: 50-Hour Pre-Professional Experience

  • 10 online sessions
  • 2 Five-hour Virtual Saturday sessions

Phase 2: 200-Hour Educator Preparation Program

  • Two 15-week semesters
  • Two-hour virtual class meetings every other week
  • Additional online coursework and cohort-based learning experiences

This structured program provides the instructional hours, and support needed to help candidates successfully transition into a career in Career and Technical Education.

50-hour Pre Professional Experience — course 001 (intro to teaching)

This 8-week course consists of weekly online assignments and two (2) mandatory remote live instructor-led Zoom sessions.

September Course Available

  • Course number: XCTPP-001-SEP01
  • Runs from: 09/19/26 – 10/31/26 with weekly assignments.
  • Dates of Zoom meetings/Live class: Saturdays 09/19/26 and 10/10/26
  • Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To enroll: Please contact Amy Yates, ayates@brookdalecc.edu and/or Kathy Hildin, khildin@brookdalecc.edu to request to register for this intro course.

Brookdale Community College is an Equal Opportunity educational institution. In order to promote this goal, the College makes positive efforts to ensure equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Request Information: CTE Educator Preparation Program

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  • Please list the endorsement area(s) and code(s) for all CEs you have applied for, are interested in applying for, or that have been issued to you.