
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.

- 9 monthsProgram Duration
- In-person, Online, HybridProgram Format
- Pre-Test RequiredYes
As a student at the Connecticut Office of Higher Education Alternate Route to Certification (ARC), you will take a foundations of teaching course, a methods course (in your content area), and Saturday seminars. Towards the end of your program, you will enroll in a practicum placement.
ARC offers educator preparation in the following certification areas:
Secondary Education, Grades 7-12
- Business Education
- English
- Math
- Sciences: Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, General Science & Physics
Grades K-12
- World Languages: French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish & other World Languages
Grades PreK-12
- Family Consumer Science
- Music
- Technology Education
The ARC 2022 hybrid program will be held from September 17, 2022 - May 25, 2023. 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 3:30 PM
A full-time practicum is required to be completed during the program year. The practicum is for 40 school days and is scheduled to start in late winter or early spring.
- 9 monthsProgram Duration
- In-person, Online, HybridProgram Format
- Pre-Test RequiredYes
- DeadlinesProgram Start
Jun. 29, 2023
SummerJul. 15, 2023
FallFeb. 15, 2024
Summer
Application Fee & Annual Tuition
Learn how to get$100 Back
and apply for a$1000 Scholarship
$6,000
In State Tuition
$125
Application Fee
Ways to Lower Your Costs
Military connected students receive $3,000 credit toward the $6,000 tuition.
TEACH Connecticut is giving away $200,000 in scholarships for career changers who want to teach math, science or technology! Learn more and apply.
Business, Grades 7-12
Chemistry, Grades 7-12
Earth Science, Grades 7-12
English, Grades 7-12
French, Grades K-12
General Science, Grades 7-12
German, Grades K-12
Home Economics/Family & Consumer Science, Grades Pre-K-12
Italian, Grades K-12
Mathematics, Grades 7-12
Music, Grades Pre-K-12
Other World Languages, Grades K-12
Physics, Grades 7-12
Portuguese, Grades K-12
Russian, Grades 7-12
Spanish, Grades K-12
Technology Education, Grades Pre-K-12
Program Semesters/Steps Overview
Program Hallmarks
- Male
- Female
- 44%
- 56%
- American Indian or Alaskan Native
- Asian
- Black
- Hispanic/Latino
- Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
- White
- Two or more races
- 0%
- 4%
- 1%
- 4%
- 0%
- 80%
- 11%