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. K-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.
*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 are closed. Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort will open on August 29, 2025. If you are already a certified teacher interested in a special education cross-endorsement through the Advanced Alternate Route to Certified (AARC), please visit www.crec.org/aarc.
To apply, you will need to submit an application with the following:
-
- Official Undergraduate 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 2026-2027 must be available for full-time, in person coursework beginning June 2026.
*Unofficial transcripts documenting completion of a Bachelor’s Degree at a regionally accredited college or university are acceptable for application. Official transcripts will be requested and are required for certification. If your Bachelor’s Degree is from an international institution, you will need a course by course credential evaluation documenting the US equivalent of a Bachelor’s Degree. The evaluation must be from one of the CSDE approved companies listed at https://portal.ct.gov/sdecertification/Knowledge-Base/Articles/Educators-from-Other-States-and-Countries/How-do-teachers-from-other-countries-apply-for-certification-in-CT?language=en_US
**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 (such as Praxis Core).
- 1-on-1 expert advice for any question along the way.
- How-to guides for testing, applying, finances, and more.
TIMELINE
Key Dates for 2026-2027 Cohort*
August 29, 2025 – Applications for 2026-2027 open
October 10, 2026 – First round interviews begin for all eligible candidates
November 21, 2025 – Acceptances for 2026-2027 begin
December 1, 2025 – Priority application deadline
March 29, 2026 – Applications close
April 13, 2026 – Acceptances for 2026-2027 conclude
May 27 – 29, 2026 – In person resident orientation for Cohort 8 (attendance is mandatory)