New Jersey is experiencing teacher shortages at multiple levels. In addition, Gov. Phil Murphy recently has signed legislation to mandate full-day kindergarten in all elementary-serving public school districts by the 2029-2030 school year and to codify funding for expansion of universal Pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds throughout the state.
Raritan Valley Community College says its Education Department faculty and programs are prepared to meet these needs through several pathways for traditional and Alternate Route teacher candidates, as well as paraprofessionals.
The college’s academic, for-credit programs support those candidates who take the traditional path to licensure. Often, prospective educators come from other areas of study or from the workforce as career changers. RVCC is poised to meet their needs as of the Fall 2025 semester.
The college recently signed an agreement with Brookdale Community College to offer the 50-Hour Preservice Introduction to Teaching course from the Alternate Route to Teaching – Community College Program.
The non-credit course, to be offered through the College’s Workforce Training Center, is the precursor to the remaining 350 hours of coursework required for candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree, have passed the required Praxis II exam, and have applied for a Certificate of Eligibility to seek employment as a New Jersey educator without having gone through a traditional teacher education program.
To learn more about RVCC’s Alternate Route to teaching program, attend a virtual information session on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 6-7 p.m. To register for the information session, go here.
RVCC Education professors Kimberly Maitland and Kathryn Suk said they are proud of the community partnerships they have established, and they are excited about the opportunity to expand program offerings.
“As a product of the Alternate Route program, I am proud to bring this opportunity to our community to address our state’s needs for an enhanced teacher pipeline,” Suk said.
For those interested in working in other classroom roles, RVCC, through a grant from the New Jersey Council of County Colleges Center for Workforce Innovation, is partnering with other community colleges to develop a professional development course to enhance the skills of current or aspiring paraprofessionals, more commonly referred to as teaching assistants or teacher’s aides.
RVCC currently offers three, academic, for-credit programs in Education: the Early Childhood Certificate for those employed in childcare settings who are seeking to enhance their skills; the Associate of Applied Science degree for those interested in becoming lead or assistant teachers in childcare centers; and the Associate of Arts in Education P-12 degree for those interested in becoming certified teachers who may earn P-3, K-6, K-6 with middle school endorsements, or K-12 certificates upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree.
Additionally, through a unique partnership with Centenary University in Hackettstown, RVCC offers graduates an opportunity to continue their studies at the College’s Branchburg campus. The articulated program allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Liberal Arts and to apply for the K-6 Elementary Teacher license and the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (ToSD) endorsement with the prospect of earning middle school endorsements and/or a P-3 certificate, as well.
“This is a pivotal moment in our state’s teaching landscape. We are grateful to be prepared to meet the demand for more highly qualified educators,” Maitland said.
Fall Semester classes begin Sept. 3. For more information about studying Education at RVCC, contact Dr. Kathryn Suk, Education Program Coordinator, at kathryn.suk@raritanval.edu or 908-526-1200, ext. 8983.
About RVCC
Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. RVCC offers approximately 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training and professional development courses. The college has been nationally recognized for its service to the community and environmental stewardship.
