Connecticut Teacher Certification Approved Programs — EPPs, ARC, and What Counts

Not every education program leads to a Connecticut teaching certificate. The program must be approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) to issue an institutional recommendation — without that recommendation, the CSDE won't process your application regardless of your coursework or test scores. Here's how the landscape breaks down.

Traditional University EPPs

Connecticut's in-state educator preparation programs (EPPs) are the most direct route to an Initial Educator Certificate. These are undergraduate or graduate degree programs at SBE-approved institutions that include supervised student teaching and lead to a formal institutional recommendation via Form ED 125.

Major in-state options include:

• University of Connecticut (UConn) — Neag School of Education offers both undergraduate teacher prep and the 11-month Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates (TCPCG), an accelerated post-baccalaureate option
• Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) — One of the largest EPPs in the state, with programs across elementary, secondary, and special education
• Eastern Connecticut State University — Undergraduate and graduate certification programs
• Western Connecticut State University — Elementary education and secondary content-area programs
• Sacred Heart University — Graduate MAT programs with DSAP-support options
• University of Hartford — Education degree programs with clinical placements
• Quinnipiac University — MAT and undergraduate education pathways

Each of these programs manages the institutional recommendation process internally. When you graduate, the university's certification officer completes Form ED 125 and sends it directly to the CSDE on your behalf.

The Alternate Route to Certification (ARC)

Connecticut's state-run ARC program is administered by the Office of Higher Education (OHE), not a university. It's designed for career changers who hold a bachelor's degree in a non-education field with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (or a documented waiver for GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0 with exceptional professional experience).

Key details:

• Cost: $7,125 total ($125 application fee + $2,000 enrollment deposit + $5,000 tuition balance)
• Duration: 9 months (hybrid format — virtual sessions Tuesday/Thursday evenings, in-person Saturday sessions in Hartford)
• Application window: Opens January 15, closes April 30 annually
• Clinical component: 40 consecutive school days of supervised classroom teaching
• Outcome: Graduates secure a district teaching position and receive a Temporary 90-Day Certificate, which converts to a ten-year Initial Educator Certificate after 90 days of successful teaching

The ARC covers secondary subject areas and select specialties. Elementary education and special education endorsements typically require different preparation pathways.

Out-of-State Online Programs

This is where candidates most commonly get tripped up. An online education program from another state can lead to Connecticut certification — but only if:

1. The program is regionally accredited (not just nationally accredited)
2. The program leads to an institutional recommendation in its home state
3. The candidate meets Connecticut's state-specific requirements that the program may not cover (like the mandatory 36 clock hours of special education coursework)

If you're enrolled in an out-of-state online program, verify with the CSDE before you finish that your program's recommendation will be accepted. Some candidates complete entire master's programs only to discover their institution's accreditation type doesn't qualify.

How to Verify a Program Is Approved

The CSDE maintains a list of approved in-state educator preparation providers. Before enrolling in any program, confirm:

• The program is on the SBE-approved list
• It covers your target endorsement area
• It includes the 36 clock hours of special education coursework required by CGS § 10-145b(d)
• It aligns with the state's updated Structured Literacy and dyslexia competency standards (approved May 2025)

For out-of-state programs, check whether the program leads to a valid professional-level certificate in its home state and whether that state is on Connecticut's Enhanced Reciprocity list.

Choosing Between Routes

The right program depends on where you're starting:

• Recent college graduate with no education coursework: A traditional EPP or the ARC program (if you meet the GPA threshold)
• Career changer with a relevant bachelor's degree: The ARC program is the fastest and most affordable option for secondary subjects
• Already certified in another state: You likely don't need an additional program — apply directly through the reciprocity pathway

The Connecticut Teacher Certification Guide maps each pathway from program enrollment through certification, including the specific forms and timelines for each route.

Related Reading

• Connecticut ARC Program Requirements
• Connecticut Two-Tier Certification System
• Transferring Your Teaching License to Connecticut

See more Connecticut guides →