Teacher Candidates
All undergraduate and graduate candidates completing majors in Elementary, Special and Secondary Education as well as Library Media Specialist can find all requirements, expectations and mandated evaluation forms on the Office of Fieldwork and Certification website.
- Applications For Clinical Placement
- Important Forms & Links
- Evaluations
- Timesheets
- Handbook
- Substitute Certification
- Teaching in New Jersey
- Professional Standards and Accreditation
- Teacher Candidate Forms
- Substitute Certification
- Finger Printing and Background Check
- Videos to Assist with Field Placement Orientation
Applications For Clinical Placement
*Before Applying, please ensure that you meet the proper requirements*
Requirements to Apply to Clinical Practice for Student Teaching (Undergrad)
Requirements to Apply to Clinical Practice for Student Teaching (Graduate)
You need to apply for your clinical placement each semester. For each clinical experience or internship, applications are due the semester prior.
Application for Clinical Experiences
Clinical Practice applications are due ONE YEAR prior the semester being sought.
Application for Clinical Practice for Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students
Application for School Library Media Specialist Graduate Clinical Practice
Important Forms & Links
The following are links to key forms you will need throughout your clinical experiences and clinical practice.
Protecting God’s Children Workshop
Clinical Placement Alert Form *For Reference Only*
Clinical Placement Alert Form Submission
Evaluations
Clinical Experience and Clinical Practice 1 candidates are evaluated using the Observation and Conference Report.
Clinical Practice 2 candidates are evaluated by their clinical supervisors using both the Observation and Conference Report and the Clinical Competency Inventory (CCI).
Timesheets
Clinical Experience/Clinical Practice 1 Timesheet
Handbook
The Clinical Placement Handbook has all of the forms, policies, and information you need for yourself, your cooperating teacher, or your clinical supervisor. We strongly recommend you read, print, and refer to the Handbook regularly:
Key Terminology pg.15
Substitute Certification
NJEdCert Substitute Certification Application Process Guide
Substitute Certification Packet – Information on Substitute certification from NJ Department of Ed.
Teaching in New Jersey:
Guide to Licensing in New Jersey (Teachers & Substitutes)
Professional Standards and Accreditation:
New Jersey Department of Education: Common Core Standards
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Teacher Candidate Forms
Application for Clinical Experiences
Application for Clinical Practice for Undergraduate Students and Graduate Students
Application for School Library Media Specialist Graduate Clinical Practice
Clinical Placement Alert Form Submission
Clinical Experience/Clinical Practice 1 Timesheet
Observation and Conference Report
Substitute Certification
NOTE: OCEAR is providing this information as a courtesy. As of May 31st, 2022 NJDOE transitioned to a new online educator certification system known as NJEdCert (New Jersey Educator Certification). Applications are no longer filled out through TCIS (Teachers Certification Information System).
For up-to-date information on the process, go directly to https://www.nj.gov/education/certification/substitutes/.
Common questions (applies only to the state of New Jersey):
- How long is a substitute certification valid in New Jersey?
5 years. - Do I have to be a specific age and have taken the Praxis in order to become substitute
certified?
For the 30 credit sub-cert, you will need to be at least 20 years of age while for the 60 credit sub-cert there is NO 20 age requirement. In regards to your Praxis, is it NOT an initial requirement to becoming SUBSTITUTE CERTIFIED but we recommend uploading your scores in your NJEdCert account to keep your information updated. - How much does it cost to become certified?
$128 (includes fees). - When transferring my substitute certification to another district, do I need to get
fingerprinted again (including paying fees)?
No, because since your substitute certification is valid for 5 years, the same goes for your fingerprints! That means that one substitute certification will be valid throughout your time in your undergrad experience. - How long is the expected wait time to be approved after submitting an application?
This may vary depending on the district you apply to. Generally, the expected wait time is between 2 weeks to 2 months. Be sure to follow up with your sponsoring district to see how your application is processing.
If you have any further questions, you can visit https://www.nj.gov/education/license/faq.htm#3 or call 609 – 376 – 3500 or email [email protected]
Overview of the process to apply for an NJ Substitute Teacher Certification:
- Register for a fingerprinting appointment and complete the background check:
Reference our instructions on how to do so through this link.
Once the background check is completed, take a screenshot of your 'applicant approval employment history form' through the following link https://www.nj.gov/education/crimhist/. You will need to send it to [email protected] and your district contact in order to be approved to start your placement.
- Apply for the substitute credential online:
The updated instructional video is coming soon as of 1/23! If you need any further assistance please contact [email protected] to schedule an appointment to complete your substitute certification.
Fingerprinting and Background Check
In order to get fingerprinted or have a criminal history check done, you need to go to the New Jersey Department of Education site for fingerprinting and criminal history checks. Many of our partner districts require pre-clinical interns and clinical interns to pass the NJ criminal history check before beginning a placement in a district or school.
The information below outlines the Criminal History Review process. Please follow the directions carefully. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of Student Protection at 609-376-3999 or by emailing them at: [email protected]. If you need additional assistance or you are not getting a response from the Office of Student Protection, you can call the Office of Clinical Experience and Research at 973-761-9347. In some instances, districts require you to work directly with them, if that is the case, please contact them directly.
The below video includes a step-by-step walk though of how to apply for your criminal background check, schedule your fingerprinting appointment, transfer your background check, and send your background check to the OCEAR office. You are able to use the links within the presentation in order to access the step in the process that you are attempting to complete. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our office to go through the presentation together, please contact us at: [email protected].
For a copy of the presentation click Criminal Background Check and Fingerprinting Presentation.
Helpful Links:
Website for filing/transferring background check
Fingerprinting: Instructions For Pre-Clinical and Clinical Interns
Criminal History Record Check Instructions: https://www.nj.gov/education/crimhist/check/
View the New Jersey Department of Education – School District Code Listing to easily access the code for your designated district placement.
If you are completing a placement in New York, the steps for the process are different. You can view the websites below to complete the process.
New York State Department of Education: http://www.nysed.gov/educator-integrity/fingerprint-process
New York City Department of Education: https://nyc.teacherssupportnetwork.com/studentteacher/Home.do
If you live outside the state of New Jersey and want to get your fingerprints done in the state you are residing in, follow the same directions above. Choose an IdentoGO location near you. Select code 2F1FB1 – New Jersey PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYMENT-EDK-State&Fed to get your fingerprints sent to the Office of Student Protection. If there is not an IdentoGO near you, your fingerprints can be taken at your local police station after receiving your fingerprint cards from the Office of Student Protection. This method will take longer to get approved. Keep this in mind when completing the process. If you have any questions on this process, please reach out to the Office of Student Protection at 609-376-3999 or by emailing them at: [email protected].
When the Criminal History Review is completed, the applicant will be able to go to the Office of Student Protections website at https://www.nj.gov/education/crimhist/ to view and print their Applicant Approval Employment History or they will receive an Ineligible or Disqualification letter. To do so, follow step 9 in the Fingerprinting Instructions above.
Videos to Assist with Field Placement Orientation
Fostering an atmosphere for success is a challenge for educators in a variety of settings and with years of experience in schools. Conversely, teaching candidates sometimes have a difficult time balancing the demands of the classroom with that of their field placement. Navigating this experience is one that requires adequate guidance, preparation and education, so that it can be carried out smoothly. The Office of Clinical Experiences and Applied Research at Seton Hall University wishes to expedite the process of orientating jpre-clinical and clincal interns to the school environment through a series of instructional videos that aid our students, co-operating teachers and supervisors.
Beginning Your Field Placement:
Chapter 1: Calling Your Co-Operating Principal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6tOj0ZmqRQ
Chapter 2: Meeting the Principal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpzirphHuo8
Chapter 3: Meeting Your Co-Operating Teacher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScyTq8xwLTE
Chapter 4: Arriving at School
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzZGrHfFkK4
Chapter 5: Signing In
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rtaEe-nGcc
Chapter 6: Introducing Yourself to the Class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukWXnS20W8k