Early Childhood Education for Paraprofessionals, Alternate Route (Phase II)

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The Early Childhood Education for Paraprofessionals (ECEP) is a two-phase program. Phase I is a 60-credit undergraduate program, in which working paraprofessionals earn a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. For certification, candidates must complete Phase II. Courses meet in the afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays, as well as online to accommodate the schedule of a working paraprofessional. Clinical experience requirements are met within the paraprofessional’s workplace. Upon admission, candidates will enroll in pre-requisite courses as they prepare and meet the Praxis Core requirements. Upon meeting all program completion and degree requirements, teacher candidates enter the Phase II ECEP alternate route program. Candidates obtain a certificate of eligibility (CE) in Preschool to Grade 3, and are then eligible to seek employment as a teacher of record. In addition, Phase II candidates complete a 6 credit, two-year ECEP alternate route program that includes seminar courses and supervised observations.

View required courses and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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Contact us

Professor Sue Mankiw
Program Director, Early Childhood Education (Preschool to Grade 3)
mankiws@wpunj.edu
973-720-3931

Application Deadline*

August 1st: Fall semesterDecember 1st: Spring semester

*Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a space availability basis

Admission Requirements:

In addition to the University’s admission requirements:

  • Successful completion of the B.A. Early Childhood Education for Paraprofessionals (ECEP) (Phase I) degree program with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (required for a standard teaching license) and a 3.0 in the major courses.
  • Obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (CE) as an early childhood teacher. This requires conditions to be met, including the Praxis II in Early Childhood Education (test code 5025).
  • Full-time employment as Teacher of Record in a P-3 classroom. This requires a CE.

Program Completion Requirements:

  • Successful completion of two years of mentoring by a WP clinical supervisor.
  • Successful completion of four seminars: ECEP internship: Seminar I & II (year 1) and Professionalism for Early Childhood Educators I & II (year 2).
  • Passing score in edTPA, a state licensing certification requirement.
  • Completion of ECEP, B.A. (Phase I).