ARC admissions

• Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree earned outside of the U.S. must have their credentials evaluated by agencies that are approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE).
  • A course-by-course analysis is required.
  • We recommend using SpanTran: The Evaluation Company, as they have a custom application for ARC applicants, which will help ensure you select the correct required evaluation type (course by course with GPA), and at a discounted rate.
  • You can access their application here at SpanTran application.

The other approved agencies are:

• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• Josef Silny & Associates

Learn about accredited institutions (PDF)

• Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale in their undergraduate degree program or at least 24 semester hours of graduate study.
• If you do not meet the GPA requirement, you may apply for a waiver within the online application.

Praxis Core Academic Skills Test

• Completion of the Praxis Core tests (Reading, Writing, Mathematics) or meeting the requirements for the Praxis Core Waiver based on having obtained minimum scores on the SAT, ACT, GRE, or PAA is required.
• Passing scores on the Praxis Core tests are not required.
• Refer to ARC testing requirements (DOCX) for all testing requirements and information.
• ARC administration must receive official assessment results by the application deadline.

Subject Area Test(s): Praxis II or ACTFL

• World Language applicants must pass the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) and Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) tests.
• Applicants for all other certification areas must pass the appropriate Praxis II subject area test.
• ARC administration must receive official passing results by the application deadline.
• Refer to the ARC testing requirements (DOCX) for all testing requirements and registration information.

Learn more about testing requirements (DOCX)

• The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) requires that every candidate recommended for Connecticut teacher certification has completed a 3.00 credit course in U.S. History.
• Transcript audit occurs within the admissions process.
• If you have not yet completed a 3.00 credit course in U.S. History, that will not impact admissions if all other admission requirements have been met. You can then complete the course while enrolled.

Learn more about U.S. History requirements (DOCX)

Official transcripts are required for all undergraduate degree programs and graduate degree programs the applicant attended.

You may submit them by:

• Asking the institution to email official copies to ohe.arc@ct.gov; or
• Asking the institution to mail physical official copies to the ARC Office at the address below; or
• Asking the institution to mail physical official copies to you, and placing the sealed envelope you receive in another envelope and mailing it to the ARC Office at the address below. We will not accept a transcript that has been opened or appears tampered with.

ARC Office Mailing Address:

Alternate Route to Certification
Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd., Suite 707
Hartford, CT 06103-1841

Applicants will be required to:

• Complete the online application which will include providing academic, professional, and employment experience.
• Write a personal essay (500-700 words). Prompts will be provided within the application.
• Provide a current resume.
• Provide contact information for three references who can comment on skillset, work experience, and teaching potential.
• Submit a $125 non-refundable application fee.
• Provide waiver forms if necessary.
  • GPA Waiver
  • Praxis Core Waiver – refer to ARC testing requirements (DOCX)
  • Please note there is NO waiver for the Praxis II subject area test – refer to ARC testing requirements (DOCX)

Apply for Praxis Core Waiver (PDF)
Start your ARC online application

• You will monitor your application and receipt of all documents, references, and test scores through an online account.
• You will be able to check the status of these documents once ARC receives your online application and application fee.
• Follow up with your references as needed until the recommendation forms have been completed.
• All required application documents and passing test scores must be received for an applicant's application to be considered complete.
• Only complete applications will be reviewed to determine if the applicant meets ARC’s eligibility requirements.
• If you are unable to complete all requirements by the deadline, your application will not be considered. Documents will not be returned to applicants. ARC retains submitted test scores and official transcripts for two application cycles.
• Previous applicants must reapply for future programs to ensure that ARC has an updated online application, resume, current references, and any additional required documents.

Start your application and checklist