Market driven alternative routes to teaching have evolved into a quality program option and not just an answer to the teacher shortage. Alternative certification is a viable means of recruiting, training, and certifying those who have a bachelor's degree and a strong desire to enter the field of teaching. California has been a leader in the development of quality teachers. This cross-sectional study surveyed 124 California State University Alternative Route (Intern) program participants. Ten critical features located in three seminal studies framed the research conducted and provided quality features to enhance retention of teachers. It was determined that the integration of these critical attributes into the university alternative certification programs enhanced the retention rates of program graduates and served as a means to improve quality. The participants in this study have been teaching 10 years or longer, and the 96 percent retention rate is one of the highest in the country.