Current Student Information

All credential programs at CSUSM follow, and prepare teacher candidates to meet, the professional teaching standards set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). 

Co-Requisite Requirements

The co-requisite requirements listed below must be met before you can be recommended for your credential. 

• U.S. Constitution Requirement

  All credential candidates must show knowledge of the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution. This requirement can be met in three ways: CSU Undergraduate Degree, Coursework, or Examination. 

  • CSU Undergraduate Degree: Possession of an undergraduate degree from any CSU campus automatically meets the U.S. Constitution Requirement.
  • Coursework: Completion of a course (minimum two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution. Listed below are some commonly used courses that meet the U.S. Constitution Requirement. 
  • • HIST 101 @ Palomar College
    • HIST 140 @ Palomar College
    • POSC 101 @ Palomar College
    • HIST 110 @ MiraCosta College
    • HIST 145H @ MiraCosta College
    • PLSC 102 @ MiraCosta College

  If you believe you have completed a course that meets this requirement, and it does not appear on the list above, please contact cehhs-ss@csusm.edu to request an evaluation of a specific course. 

  • Examination: Pass an examination covering the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution given by a regionally-accredited college or university
  • • U.S. Constitution Exam 
    • U.S. Constitution Preparation Course and Examination
• Health Education Requirement

  All credential candidates must take a course that addresses the following content: nutrition, physiological and sociological effects of abuse of alcohol, narcotics, drugs, and use of tobacco. Listed below are some commonly used courses that meet the Health Education Requirement.

  • BIOL 323 @ CSU San Marcos
  • HD 350 @ CSU San Marcos
  • KINE 306 @ CSU San Marcos
  • PE 203 @ CSU San Marcos
  • PSYC 336 @ CSU San Marcos
  • EDUC 30057 @ UC San Diego (Register Online)
  • HEAL 101 @ MiraCosta College
  • KINE 200 @ MiraCosta College
  • HE 100 @ Palomar College
  • KINE 102 @ Palomar College
  • HEAL 101 @ Mesa College
  • HEAL 195 @ Mesa College
  • HLTH 101 @ San Diego City College
  • HLTH 101 @ Miramar College
  • HED 105 @ Grossmont College
  • HLTH 101 @ Southwestern College
  • HED 105 @ Cuyamaca College

  If you believe you have completed a course that meets this requirement, and it does not appear on the list above, please contact cehhs-ss@csusm.edu to request an evaluation of a specific course. 

• CPR Certification

  All credential candidates must obtain CPR Certification that covers Infant, Child, and Adult CPR. Your CPR Certification must be valid at the time of credential recommendation.

• Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA)
  In California, all teacher candidates must complete a Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) in order to earn a preliminary credential.  The TPA requires candidates to complete defined tasks relating to subject-specific pedagogy, designing and implementing instruction and student assessment, and culminating teaching experiences or events. At Cal State San Marcos, teacher candidates complete the CalTPA, which consists of two instructional cycles (submissions) completed over the course of a credential program. CalTPA cycles are scored by trained assessors who are experts in the content for their assigned assessments. Candidates will submit CalTPA materials on or before the due dates set by the School of Education, and will receive their scores about three weeks later. Candidates must successfully complete and pass both CalTPA cycles in order to be recommended to receive a preliminary California teaching credential. For more information and support, visit Teacher Performance Assessment (CalTPA) page.
• RICA (Multiple Subject and ES Concurrent Only)

  The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) is required for credential students seeking a multiple subject credential. RICA must be passed before you can be recommended for your multiple subject credential. This assessment can be completed via a written assessment or video performance assessment (the majority of teacher candidates complete the written assessment).

  • Register for the RICA Written Examination
  • Register for the RICA Video Performance Assessment

  RICA is being retired

  The Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) is being retired and will no longer be offered after June 30, 2025. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing has adopted a transition plan for the RICA Written Examination and RICA Video Performance Assessment  pursuant to the Commission's work to implement Senate Bill 488 (Chap. 678, Stats. 2021) , commonly referred to as SB 488.

Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs)

As of July 2008, California statute (Chap. 517, Stats. 2006) requires all candidates for a preliminary Multiple and Single Subject Teaching Credential to pass an assessment of their teaching performance with K-12 public school students as part of the requirements for earning a teaching credential. This assessment of teaching performance is designed to measure the candidate's knowledge, skills and ability with relation to California's Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs), including demonstrating their ability to appropriately instruct all K-12 students in the Student Academic Content Standards. Students are expected to meet the teaching performance expectations required by the California Teaching Performance Expectations (total of 13) and the additional teaching performance expectations by the CSUSM School of Education. 

Clinical Practice, Field Experience, & Internships

All credential programs include clinical practice in addition to course work. Each program structures clinical practice somewhat differently. However, there are forms that all students must complete before participating in the clinical pactice (in the teacher credential program).

• School of Education (SOE) Release of Liability Form 

SOE Professional Dispositions

The California State University San Marcos School of Education fosters the development of the following professional dispositions among our candidates. Candidates increasingly reflect these dispositions in their work with students, families, and communities. 

• Social Justice and Equity: Candidates appreciate the languages, communities, and experiences learners bring to the classroom. Candidates advocate for and support marginalized communities and individuals. 
• Collaboration: Candidates learn and practice the skills of collaboration in their coursework and use them in their professional interactions with students, colleagues, parents, caregivers and those in the wider community.
• Critical Thinking: Candidates analyze various professional contexts, resulting in more informed decision-making about professional practice.
• Professional Ethics: Candidates learn to make and act on well-reasoned, principled judgments.
• Reflective Teaching and Learning: Candidates critically review their professional practice and the impact it has on student success.
• Life-Long Learning: Candidates are committed to actively seeking new knowledge, skills and experiences throughout their career. 

Notice to Students Regarding Professional Licensure and Certification