Requirements for Admission to Teaching Credential Programs
General information for applicants:
Students may be admitted to one of two statuses.
Please keep in mind, the most important part of your application is a professional attitude and demeanor, your interview begins in the Credential Office.
1. PREREQUISITE PROGRAM (PDF): Candidates are considered for admission to this status in order to enroll in prerequisite classes. Candidates admitted to this status typically have credential requirements to complete, in addition to prerequisites in order to be eligible to interview for the Credential Program. Financial Aid loans may be available to admitted Prerequisite students who are otherwise eligible, for up to one year, to complete prerequisite courses.
2. CREDENTIAL PROGRAM (PDF): Candidates are considered for admission to this status that have previously completed or are currently enrolled in all prerequisite courses appropriate to the applicant's selected credential program. In addition to the enrollment in or completion of all prerequisite courses, all credential requirements have been met and verified, with documentation attached to the application.
Please see the Credential Program application for requirements and documentation specific to each status.
Required steps to complete the process of admission:
1. Application. Two applications are required, applications should be made to both the University
and the Education Program. Apply to the University at: www.csumentor.edu and apply to the Education Program
2. CBEST Examination. Prospective teachers must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
to be issued a California teaching credential. Students are urged to take this examination
at the earliest possible time after deciding to pursue a teaching credential. This
exam must be passed prior to Credential admission. For admission to Prerequisite Education
status, prospective students must show proof of registration or passage of the California Basic Skills Requirement.
3. Subject Matter Preparation. The State of California requires that you demonstrate your knowledge of the information you will be teaching. Prospective teachers may demonstrate subject matter competence through an examination called the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). The test information page linked below provides links to the CSET website and additional information. This exam must be passed prior to Credential admission. For admission to Prerequisite Education status, prospective students must show proof of registration or passage of CSET. Special Education candidates have additional subject matter clearance options.
Please read the section below that pertains to the credential program which you are pursuing:
Multiple Subject - Federal legislation, entitled "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB), has necessitated some changes in how prospective and current teachers will demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter to be taught in their field.
Previously, prospective teachers could complete a specialized bachelor's degree, in California, with an emphasis in the subject matter content, or be evaluated for equivalency by a college with such a program. Due to NCLB provisions, this option is no longer available for Elementary school teachers. All Multiple Subject candidates must pass the CSET Multiple Subject exam prior to Credential admission.
Single Subject - Students may complete a state-approved subject matter program from a California college or university prior to admission to the CSU Channel Islands (CI) Single Subject Teaching Credential Program. CI undergraduate students who intend to pursue a teaching credential upon graduation have the option of completing an approved subject matter program major in Mathematics. An official letter from a Credential Analyst at the college/university typically documents completion of such a program where the program or a successful equivalency evaluation was completed. Programs of this type are frequently referred to as "waiver" programs. People who earned their degrees out of state, or at a college/university that did not offer a subject matter preparation program may be eligible for an evaluation of their transcripts.
Students who have not completed a state-approved subject matter program must pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) prior to Credential admission status. The CSET and PRAXIS/SSAT examination results are valid for five years from the date of passing and must be valid upon final completion of the program.
Special Education - Students may complete a state-approved subject matter program prior to admission to the CI Education Specialist Teaching Credential Program. Students who have not completed a state-approved subject matter program must pass one of the approved California subject matter exams prior to admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program. Prospective Special Education teachers may take any subject matter exam available to Single or Multiple Subject candidates. Special Education teachers may take CSET exams to meet subject matter competence. 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. U.S. Constitution - Credentials staff will verify a course, graded "C" or better, covering content of the U.S. Constitution, from transcripts submitted with your application. American Government is accepted, and History courses will be evaluated for content. You may be asked to provide syllabi and/or course descriptions. An approved college level exam will meet this requirement.
5. Grade Point Average. A student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.67 to be accepted into the teaching credential programs offered at CI, or 2.75 in the last 60 semester units completed. If you do not have the required GPA, conditional admission may be available on a limited basis, by appeal.
6. Health Clearance. Evidence of a negative Tuberculin test is required. The tuberculin clearance is valid for four (4) 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.
7. 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.
8. One Set of Official Transcripts. One official set of transcripts from each of the colleges or universities attended must be mailed directly to the CI Office of Admissions.
9. Two Recommendation forms. Two recommendation for Admission forms from faculty, employers, and/or others who are knowledgeable about the prospective student's personal qualities and potential to work with children must be submitted with the program application. Recommendation forms are non-confidential. These two forms are in addition to the Field Experience form and are available in the Credential office and online at the education web page. We prefer to see at least one letter of recommendation from a professional who can describe your work with students (such as a principal, supervisor, or teacher).
10. Experience. At least 45 hours of documented field experience in a classroom or an equivalent documented field experience must be completed. There is a form within the program application that will document these activities. The experience can take place in both public and private institutions. Ideally, field experience should be conducted in a classroom relevant to the teaching credential being sought, but non-classroom placements that include work with groups of children will be accepted.
- Multiple Subject: K-8 classroom
- Single Subject: 7th - 12th grade classroom
- Special Education: K-12 classroom
11. Bachelor's Degree. A bachelor's degree or enrollment in the final semester of the degree program is required. A bachelor's degree is a requirement for teacher certification.
12. Writing Sample. Writing samples are required as part of the application process. The writing sample includes a 500-600-word essay describing the applicant's interest in teaching children with the diversity of languages and cultures represented in California schools.
13. Interview. An Education Program Admissions Committee conducts an interview once all other portions of the admissions requirements are complete.
Please note: Certification in adult, infant, and child CPR competency is required by the CCTC for an initial issuance of a teaching credential.