Connecticut Office of Higher Education Alternate Route to Certification (ARC)
About
The Alternate Route to Certification program (ARC) is an innovative and challenging program. ARC was created as part of the Education Enhancement Act of 1986. It has been offered since 1988 and is administered by the Connecticut Office of Higher Education. ARC faculty members have extensive experience working in the field as public school teachers, administrators and professors. ARC is the state’s seventh largest preparer of teachers overall and one of the highest preparers of shortage area candidates in mathematics, science and world languages. The mission of the ARC program is to provide a time-condensed pathway to teaching credentials for adults who strongly desire to become teachers and who possess strong academic and content backgrounds, as well as a wide array of life and professional experiences. ARC is designed to support adult learning styles.
Numerous state and local organizations have recognized ARC graduates for their contributions to the teaching profession. Connecticut's 2007 Teacher of the Year is an ARC graduate, and since 2007, more than 50 ARC graduates have been named District or Building Teacher of the Year, selected for the Presidential Award in Mathematics and Science, received fellowships or other honors. Others have become superintendents, district leaders and administrators.
The ARC 2025-2026 hybrid program will be held from September 2025 through May 2026. The hybrid class schedule will be as follows:
Online classes will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
In-person classes will be held in Hartford on two Saturdays a month from 8:30 AM to 3:15 PM
A full-time practicum is required to be completed during the program year. The practicum is for 40-consecutive school days and is scheduled to start in either late January or early March dependent on practicum type.
A note about deadlines:
May 1, 2025 is the application deadline.
June 1, 2025 is the final materials deadline for the receipt of transcripts, references and test scores.
Students at Connecticut Office of Higher Education Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with Connecticut Office of Higher Education Alternate Route to Certification (ARC) to see if you can, too!
Biology 4-12 Business 4-12 Chemistry 4-12 Earth Science 4-12 English 4-12 French K-12 German K-12 Home Economics Pre-K-12 Italian K-12 Mandarin K-12 Mathematics 4-12 Music Pre-K-12 Physics 4-12 Portuguese K-12 Russian 4-12 Science 4-12 Spanish K-12 Technology Education Pre-K-12 World Languages K-12
As a teacher candidate at the Connecticut Office of Higher Education Alternate Route to Certification (ARC), you will be enrolled in a Foundations of Teaching course and a Methods course (in your content area). All candidates will be required to complete a full time 40 consecutive school day practicum placement during the second semester. The placement will be arranged with a CT public school.
The ARC 2025-2026 hybrid program will be held between September 2025 to May 2026. Graduation will be held in June 2026.
Program Hallmarks
ARC candidates are required to arrange and complete observation hours with local CT schools during the first two months of the program. You will complete a 40 consecutive school day practicum (student teaching) during the second semester. The practicum placement is arranged and assigned by the ARC Program and is determined by your certification path, geographic location and in consultation with the school district. You will be evaluated by TEAM-trained Cooperating Teachers and ARC Student Practicum Evaluators.
ARC believes all teachers must value and respect the diverse learning needs and cultural backgrounds of students and their families to create a positive learning environment which is reflected in ARC’s curriculum. Teachers must understand the differing needs of their students and care, motivate, and actively engage all students in learning. All candidates must complete the CT English Language Proficiency (CELP) and Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) assignments as a part of ARC's program requirements.
ARC is committed to support you during your participation in the ARC Program. We have put support in place to help you be successful. ARC’s primary responsibility is preparing future teachers for the classroom. Therefore, expectations of performance and disposition are set high.
Each enrolled teacher candidate will have a Foundations and Methods instructor for the entire program year. ARC instructors are tenured CT public school teachers and/or administrators. With the ARC program’s smaller class sizes, instructors are able to assist directly and provide more quality feedback, time, and support to each candidate. ARC also has a Candidate Support Specialist who is available to provide you with any additional support and assistance as needed. Once you begin practicum, you will be assigned an ARC Evaluator who will serve as an additional mentor and resource during your practicum.
Additionally, ARC provides candidates employed in a DSAP with additional resources and support to assist with the start of your teaching role.
ARC strives to continuously improve the program by using information gathered in student/faculty surveys. Faculty are required to provide the ARC Administration with their plans for improvement based on student feedback.
Stats
Gender
Male
Female
47%
53%
Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
White
Two or more races
0%
6%
3%
19%
0%
66%
5%
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