CTL’s Endorsement programs are designed to take New Jersey teachers from any existing certification area (English, social studies, etc) and lead them to endorsement in physics or chemistry. Because of the high demand for physics and chemistry teachers, CTL has trained more than 100 teachers through its physics and chemistry endorsement programs since 2009.

How does this work?

The PSI Endorsement program takes talented teachers and teaches them physics or chemistry, to make them highly effective teachers in those subjects. To accomplish this, PSI Endorsement Programs use the same course materials and teaching strategies used with students: teachers learn from the same presentations; do the same homework and labs; they are taught using direct instruction and social constructivism; they use student response technology; they are given frequent formative assessments. This approach teaches both the exact content, and the methods used to deliver that content to students.

Courses typically take 12-18 months but allow teachers to get started teaching their new content area much faster. For instance, prospective physics teachers learn Algebra-Based Physics in the spring and then start teaching that course in the fall while taking Advanced Placement level courses at night.

View the Physics Endorsement course sequence and descriptions

View the Chemistry Endorsement course sequence and descriptions

The endorsement programs are offered in collaboration with Kean University, or directly through CTL for professional development.  Both options provide the same high quality training, however, the graduate credit option allows teachers to pursue an additional 9-credits with Kean University to earn a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.  Teachers choosing the CTL pathway to certification receive professional development hours in lieu of graduate credits.

The Physics Endorsement Program is 30 graduate credits (375 PD hours) and the Chemistry Endorsement is 36 graduate credits (450 PD hours).

Next:  How to Get Started