The Program in Teacher Preparation is an interdepartmental plan for undergraduates who wish to prepare for elementary or secondary school teaching. The program is unique among Princeton programs because the certificate it awards satisfies a legal requirement for teaching in the New Jersey public schools. The certificate earned by program participants is valid in most other states through reciprocity agreements. Although certification is not required for teaching in most independent schools, independent school heads are interested in the preparation of teachers within a liberal arts curriculum.
Many international schools prefer certified teachers.
The program, approved by the New Jersey State Department of Education, makes it possible to qualify for the certificate within the framework of a Princeton A.B. or B.S.E. degree. Participants can qualify for certification in art, English, social studies, mathematics, sciences, or languages. In addition, the program has provisional approval to prepare students for elementary certification. Students who receive a teaching certificate in one of the above areas may also pursue a Psychology Endorsement for teaching psychology courses at the high school level. There is currently a critical need for science and mathematics teachers in secondary schools.