How to Apply
The Connecticut Teacher Residency Program is a 14-18 month alternate route to certification program focused on increasing educators of color in schools across Connecticut. Resident candidates will be enrolled in rigorous coursework for 14 to 18 months, depending on program, at a regional location and serve in a paid residency position in a mentor teacher’s classroom for the school year in a participating district. Mentor Teachers will work side-by-side with their resident and be supported by the program coordinator for one academic school year to help Residents prepare for a successful career in education. Residents are eligible for a full-time teaching position in the participating district upon completion of program requirements under a Resident Educator Certificate. TRP Teachers get continued support for three years while they work in that district and earn their initial educator certificate.
Locations:
Currently, our locations include ACES (New Haven County), CES (southwestern Connecticut), CREC (central Connecticut), EastCONN (northeastern Connecticut), and LEARN (southeastern Connecticut). Other locations may be added. Check back with us for updates.
QUALIFICATIONS
Elementary
(Gr. 1-6)*
Qualifications
-
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity in the field of education
- Experience working with marginalized populations
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater**
- Bachelor’s degree required including a minimum of 39 credits in general academic courses in five of the six areas listed below.
- (1) English;
- (2) Natural science;
- (3) Mathematics;
- (4) Social studies; and
- (5) World language or
- (6) Fine arts.
*This certification will be PK-6 as of 7/1/2025.
**Candidates with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00 may apply, but must complete a waiver request.
Special Education
(Gr. PK-12)
Qualifications
-
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity in the field of education
- Experience working with marginalized populations
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater*
- Bachelor’s degree required including a 3 credit U.S. History Course spanning at least 100 years.
*Candidates with an undergraduate GPA below 3.00 may apply, but must complete a waiver request.
Middle Grades Math
(Gr. 4-8)
Qualifications
-
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity in the field of education
- Experience working with marginalized populations
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater*
- Bachelor’s degree required including
- (1) A 3 credit U.S. History Course spanning at least 100 years
- (2) 39 credits in general academic courses spanning
- (a) English Language Arts
- (b) Natural science
- (c) Mathematics
- (d) Social Studies
- (e) World Language OR Fine Arts
- (3) Either
- (a) Major in mathematics OR
- (b) 24 credits in mathematics, including coursework in calculus AND 15 credits in English, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, social science, history, political science, economics, geography, anthropology, or sociology.
*Candidates with an undergraduate GPA below a 3.00 may apply, but must complete a waiver request.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications:
Our Elementary Education, Special Education, and Middle Grades Math applications for the 2025-2026 cohort will open on September 13th.
To apply, you will need to submit an application with the following:
-
- Official Transcript*
- Three letters of recommendation for this program (one must be from a current supervisor)
- Resumé
- Score report from one of the following**:
- Praxis Core Mathematics, Reading and Writing tests; or
- SAT, ACT or GRE
- Writing sample (embedded in the application)
Candidates for 2025-2026 must be available for full-time, in person coursework beginning June 2025.
*Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for application. Official transcripts will be requested and necessary for certification.
**If you have not taken any of these assessments, you must register to take Praxis Core. If you are registered to take Praxis Core or have requested your SAT results from College Board, you may upload these receipts in lieu of the actual score for now. Once received, you will upload the score documents.
The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators-Combined Test is #5752. If you take them separately, they are the following tests:
- Core Academic Skills for Educators-Mathematics 5733
- Core Academic Skills for Educators-Reading 5713
- Core Academic Skills for Educators-Mathematics 5723
TEACH CT: Apply with Confidence
Sign up for a free TEACH Connecticut account to apply to our program like a pro.
Features:
- Interactive application checklist to keep you on track.
- $1,000 scholarships and $100 fee reimbursements to help with program expenses.
- 1-on-1 expert advice for any question along the way.
- How-to guides for testing, applying, finances, and more.
TIMELINE
Key Dates 2024-2025*
May 1, 2024 – Applicants notified of acceptance
May 15, 16, 17– Mandatory orientation (8:30 am- 3:30 pm)
June 24, 2024 – August 2, 2024– Summer 1 classes begin in person (Monday through Friday, 8am-3:30pm)
August 2024 – Residency year begins / Transition Ceremony
August 29, 2024 – Fall classes begin
January 7, 2025– Winter classes begin
March 11, 2025– Spring classes begin
June 23, 2025 – Summer 2 classes begin
August 2025 – Serve as Teacher of Record through a minimum of 3 years in the partner school district. Special Education only – end of TRP coursework
December 2025 – Elementary Education only – End of TRP Coursework
*dates may be subject to change