Teacher Credential Programs

Admission Requirements

  1. Completed admission application and application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all institutions attended. A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a preferred GPA of 2.75 or above in undergraduate work and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above in any graduate work.
  3. A Statement of purpose. Write a statement of purpose addressing the following points: your reasons for entering the teaching profession, any personal or professional experiences and/or qualifications related to your intended field of study, and your perspectives on the relevance and role of cultural competence in teaching. Your statement should be approximately 500-words in length and typewritten.
  4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to objectively evaluate the candidate's potential to be a competent educator. Letters must be from individuals who can knowledgeably comment on academic skills, employment/volunteer experience, leadership potential, and professional abilities.
  5. Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST or Equivalent).
  6. Current TB Clearance.
  7. Certificate of Clearance.

Additional admission requirements for the Bilingual Authorization

  1. Interview with Chair of BILA program
  2. SOLOM - Oral language assessment in Spanish
  3. Statement of Purpose written in Spanish
  4. Reading assessment in Spanish

Program Requirements: optional, if available at the time of admissions.

The following items  are program requirements and may  be submitted at the time of admission:

  1. CSET or proof of completion of Subject Matter Requirement (required prior to student teaching) 
  2. RICA (multiple subject) (Required for Preliminary credential)

For a candidate that would like to request that credential coursework from other institutions be considered for meeting the credential requirements, the student must provide a Letter of Good Standing from the program chair or Dean at their previous institution.

Credential Requirements

Total Program: 33 Semester Hours

Multiple Subject Candidates Only

EDUC 425Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject4
EDUC 426Introductory Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject4
EDUC 440Intermediate Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject4
EDUC 441Advanced Teaching Practices, Multiple Subject4
EDUC 491Subject Specific Pedagogy - History, PE, and Visual/Perf Arts4
EDUC 492Subject Specific Pedagogy - Math and Science4
EDUC 497Introductory Supervised Teaching, Multiple Subject3
EDUC 498Advanced Supervised Teaching6
Total Semester Hours33

Single Subject Candidates Only

EDUC 427Language and Literacy, Single Subject4
EDUC 428Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject4
EDUC 442Intermediate Teaching Practices, Single Subject4
EDUC 443Advanced Teaching Practices, Single Subject4
Select one of the following: 14
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Math
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS English
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Science
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS History
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Physical Education
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Music
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Spanish
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Art
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Health
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Business
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Dance
Subject Specific Pedagogy - SS Theatre
EDUC 495Foundations for Teaching Single Subjects4
EDUC 497AIntroductory Supervised Teaching, Single Subject3
EDUC 498AAdvanced Supervised Teaching, Single Subject6
Total Semester Hours33
1

Must enroll in your content area.

Bilingual Authorization: Spanish

(Additional Courses to add the Bilingual Authorization to the Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credential)

EDUC 434Learning About Latino Cultures3
EDUC 435Methodology for Primary Language Instruction in a Bilingual Environment3
EDUC 436Bilingualism and Bilingual Education3

Note: The bilingual teaching authorization requires student teaching in a bilingual classroom and demonstration of Spanish proficiency by a passing score on CSET: Spanish subtest III (test code 147) or a passing grade in SPAN 414 Spanish Composition & Advanced Grammar or EDUC 431 Spanish for Educators.

Other Program Components

Student Teaching Program Prerequisites

All students must complete fieldwork hours in the state of California. Student teaching candidates must complete an application and be accepted by the faculty into the student teaching sequence with the following:

  • Introductory Supervised Teaching Requirements:
    • Certificate of Clearance or equivalent fingerprint clearance
    • Demonstration of personal dispositions necessary for teaching (as outlined by the LaFetra College of Education)
    • CPR for adults, infants and children
    • Current TB clearance
    • Verification of Basic Skills Competence as defined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
    • Successful completion of all pre-student teaching coursework as defined by a GPA of 3.0 or better
    • Speech course or verification
    • US Constitution course or passing test score
    • Health Education/Nutrition/Drug Prevention/Tobacco/Sexually Transmitted Diseases Course
    • Verification of Subject Matter Competence as defined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
  • Advanced Supervised Teaching Requirements:
    • Successful completion of all requirements for Introductory Supervised Teaching

Teacher Performance Assessments

The California Teacher Assessment Program (TPA) provides teacher candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the teaching performance expectations. The TPA consists of two tasks embedded within the student teaching experience.

Enhanced Intern Credential (Multiple/Single Subject)

Candidates will be eligible for an enhanced intern credential if they have successfully maintained a 3.0 GPA, completed the constitution requirement, first term coursework (EDUC 425 Language and Literacy, Multiple Subject & EDUC 426 Introductory Teaching Practices, Multiple SubjectEDUC 427 Language and Literacy, Single Subject & EDUC 428 Introductory Teaching Practices, Single Subject), basic skills requirement, subject matter competence, and have a contract in a public school. All candidates must be concurrently enrolled in EDUC 467A-467L  or EDUC 497 Introductory Supervised Teaching, Multiple Subject or EDUC 497A Introductory Supervised Teaching, Single Subject or EDUC 498 Advanced Supervised Teaching or EDUC 498A Advanced Supervised Teaching, Single Subject to be eligible for the intern credential.

Preliminary Credential Application Requirements

To apply for a preliminary credential with the state of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, candidates must have:

  • Maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better in all coursework
  • Successfully completed clinical teaching requirements
  • Received a B or better in EDUC 498 Advanced Supervised Teaching or EDUC 498A Advanced Supervised Teaching, Single Subject
  • Completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • Completed an “Application for Credential”
  • Completed CPR Certification for Adults, Infants, and Children
  • Passed all required TPAs
  • Passed the RICA (Multiple Subject only)
  • Must be cleared by the credential analyst for all remaining requirements
  • Submit a Development/Induction Plan

Clear Credential Application Requirements

To apply for a Clear Credential with the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, candidates must have completed a professional induction program through their employer within five years of the issuance date of their Preliminary Credential.