Admission to the Single Subject Teaching Credential Program
1. Application - Apply to both the CI Admissions Office and the School of Education. Applications to the School of Education are available online at: http://education.csuci.edu/credentials/apply-now.htm
2. CBEST Examination - Students must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) prior to admission to the Single Subject Teaching Credential Program. Students are urged to take this examination at the earliest possible time after deciding to pursue a teaching credential. The CBEST must be passed before certification or intern teaching.
3. Subject Matter Preparation - Prior to admission to the Single Subject Teaching Credential Program, students may complete a state-approved, subject matter program in the specific content area from other colleges or universities. Students who have not completed a state-approved, subject matter program must pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in the subject matter area of the single subject credential prior to admission to the Credential Program. The CSET examination results are valid for five years from the date of passing and must be valid upon final completion of the program.
4. Prerequisite Courses - Must have been completed within seven years prior to beginning the program with grades of “C” or better.
Education - 17 units
Education, Bilingual Authorization - 26-27 units
In addition to completing the courses above, the following are required:
Select one from the following:
5. U.S. Constitution - Knowledge of the U.S. Constitution demonstrated by completion of two units (from a semester program) of a college-level course or college-level examination.
6. Grade Point Average - A student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.67, or 2.75 in the last 60 semester units completed, to be admitted into the Single Subject Credential Program offered at CI. If a student does not have the required GPA, conditional admission may be available on a limited basis.
7. Health Clearance - Evidence of a negative tuberculin test is required. The tuberculin clearance is valid for four years and must be valid through student teaching. The tuberculin test may be completed at a private physician’s office, the County Health Department, or the CI Student Health Center.
8. Certificate of Clearance - Students must possess or apply for a valid Certificate of Clearance as part of admission to the Teaching Credential Program. A copy of an emergency permit satisfies the clearance requirement. The Certificate of Clearance is a background check and clearance conducted by the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation.
9. Official Transcripts - One official set of transcripts from each of the colleges or universities attended must be mailed directly to the CI Admissions Office.
10. Two Letters of Recommendation - Two letters of recommendation from faculty, employers, and/or others who are knowledgeable about the student’s personal qualities and potential to work with children must be submitted with the program application.
11. Experience - At least 45 hours of documented field experience in a grade 7-12 classroom or an equivalent documented field experience must be completed.
12. Bachelor’s Degree - A bachelor’s degree or, for the student still in his/her last term, all undergraduate academic subjects for a bachelor’s degree must be completed or in progress before entering the Single Subject Teaching Credential Program. A bachelor’s degree is a requirement for teacher certification.
13. Interview - An interview is conducted by the School of Education Admissions Committee once all other portions of the admissions requirements are complete. Students are not eligible for financial aid as a credential student until all admissions requirements are met, including the interview.
14. Writing Sample - Writing samples are required as part of the application and will need to be provided during the on-campus interview portion of the application process.
Notes: Certification in adult, infant and child Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) competency is required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for an initial issuance of a teaching credential.
For the initial issuance of a Single Subject Teaching Credential, CTC also requires passing the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT).
Program Maintenance Requirements: As a condition of remaining in the program, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (B) or better, with no course grades lower than a C+.
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