Credential Programs

Thank you for your interest in our credential programs. All our credential programs start in the Fall. The application period for Fall 2023 is now closed. Please visit us again in the future to learn about the Fall 2024 applications. Applications to our credential programs usually opens in March and closes in May. Our credential programs are post-baccalaurate programs, meaning you must have obtained your bachelor's degree by the time you start your credential program in the Fall. 

To learn more about our programs and the application process:

Participate in Credential Program Information Sessions

Admission Requirements

You can apply for the credential program even if you have not met these admission requirements. However, you must complete these admission requirements by the time you start your credential program in the Fall. Those who are missing one or more of the following requirements will receive a "conditional" acceptance to the credential programs. 

• Earn Your Bachelors Degree

  You must have earned your bachelors degree before you start your credential program in the Fall. If you are currently an undergraduate students, you can apply for the credential program in the Spring before graduation.

  Learn more about the undergraduate pathways to the credential program

• Take the Prerequisite Courses

  The California State University's 45-hours of field experience requirement prior to entering a crendetial program is divided across the three prerequisite courses. There are no waivers for prerequisite courses because our prerequisite courses are intentionally designed to work together to prepare and help all students develop the knowledge, skills, and experience that are necessary to apply for the teaching credential program.

  You can apply for the credential programs even if you have not taken the prerequisite courses. However, you must complete the prerequisite courses by the time you start your credential program in the Fall.

  The School of Education offers prerequisite courses during the academic year and summer both on the state side and through Extended Learning. For availability and more information, please check Extended Learning

  EDUC 350  Foundations of Teaching as a Profession

  An orientation to careers in K-12 education that focuses on teaching and schooling from multiple perspectives. Sociological, philosophical, and historical foundations of education are addressed. Readings and interactions with local educators will promote an understanding of the richness and the complexity of teaching as a career in a diverse society. Minimum of fifteen (15) hours of field work in K-12 educational settings required. Certificate of clearance and TB Risk assessment required prior to engaging field experience hours. 

  EDUC 364  The Role of Cultural Diversity in Schooling

  This is a service learning course. Explores cultural and linguistic diversity as critical variables in educational equity for all students. Includes intensive theoretical and practical articulation of culture and cultural pluralism; educational issues of race, class, gender, language, ethnicity, sexual orientation and exceptionality; social, structural, programmatic and curricular issues, and effective teaching for diverse populations. Minimum of fifteen (15) hours of fieldwork in K-12 educational settings required. Certificate of Clearance and TB Risk assessment required prior to engaging field experience hours. 

  Cross-listed: EDUC 364 and SLP 364 are cross-listed. Students may not receive credit for both. Satisfies GE area: DD. Satisfies Diversity & Equity area:DEu

  EDUC 422 Teaching, Learning, and Technology

  This is a service learning course. Focuses on developing knowledge and skills using technology for teaching and learning within the broader context of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education through fifteen (15) hours of field experience with children in K-12 educational settings. Certificate of Clearance and TB Risk assessment required prior to engaging field experience hours.

  You must receive "C+" or above in prerequisite course work to be considered for the credential programs. 

  If you are a CSUSM undergraduate student, we recommend taking these courses as part of your course work during your junior or senior year. 

• Complete the Co-requisite Courses

  You can apply for the credential programs even if you have not taken the prerequisite courses. However, you must complete the corequisite courses by the time you start your credential program in the Fall.

  If you are an undergraduate student, we recommend you incorporate the courses below in your lower division education courses.

  1. U.S. CONSTITUTION COURSE. College-level course or exam. CSU graduates automatically meet the U.S. Constitution requirement. 

  • HIST 130 or HIST 330 or HIST 335 or PSCI 100
  • History 101 or Political Science 101 at Palomar College
  • History 110 or History 145 or Political Science 102 at Mira Costa College

  2. HEALTH EDUCATION COURSE. A course that includes the following content: nutrition, physiological and sociological effects of abuse of alcohol, narcotics, drugs, and use of tobacco.

  • KINE 306 or PE 203
  • HEALTH 195 at Mesa College
  • HEALTH 101 at Mira Costa College
  • HEALTH 100 at Palomar College

  3. CPR CERTIFICATION. Infant, Child, and Adult CPR. Must be valid during enrollment in a Teacher Credential Program

• Take and Pass CBEST & CSET

  You can apply for the credential programs even if you have not taken or pass the examination. However, you must take and pass the examination by the time you start your credential program in the Fall.

  To meet the CBEST requirement, students can demonstrate proficiency by:

  1. Passing the CBEST exam
  2. Submitting 3 unit semester classes with a B- or better in:

  • reading proficiency: a course in critical thinking, literature, philosophy, reading, rhetoric, or textual analysis.
  • writing proficiency: a course in composition, English, rhetoric, written communication, or writing.
  •  mathematics proficiency: a course in algebra, geometry, mathematics, quantitative reasoning, or statistics.

  3. A combination of tests and 3 unit semester classes in a reading, writing or math area. For example, coursework in reading and math and the writing test.

  Request a basic skills evaluation

  Bachelor Degree

  A Bachelor’s degree and all undergraduate academic requirements must be satisfied before entering a teacher education program. A Bachelor’s degree is a requirement for teacher certification. Please note: Completion of a Bachelor’s degree requires submission of a Graduate application to enroll in Post-baccalaureate or graduate coursework.

  California Subject Matter Competence (CSET)

  Single Subject Program:

  All candidates must meet the California Subject Matter Competency (CSET) prior to admission to the program. Please note: Conditional admission may be considered on a limited basis; however, state program standards prohibit advanced Clinical Practice (student teaching) until CSET: Single Subject is met.

  Students can demonstrate proficiency in 1 of 4 ways:

  1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree specifically conferred in the content area you intend to teach for example, a Physics degree to waive the Physics CSET or Mathematics to waive the Mathematics CSET.   An Economics degree would not waive a Math CSET, even if you have taken many math courses.  (At CSUSM the Literature and Writing degree waives the English subject matter competency.)  
  2. Completion of a commission-approved subject matter preparation program.
  3. A combination of courses that meet the subtest competencies.  Or a combination of subtests and coursework.  
  4. Take and pass the CSET

  If students would like coursework considered for approval for subtests, they can request an evaluation by completing this form, submitting appropriate course descriptions and syllabi:  

  Middle Level Program:

  Subject matter competency must be shown prior to admission to the Middle Level credential program. This can be met in one of four ways through:

  1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in the content area you wish to teach.  The degree must match the content area. For example: “Mathematics” degree for math subject matter competency.  An economics degree has many math courses but does not meet math subject matter competency.  (Please note: At CSUSM, the Literature and Writing degree meets the English Subject Matter Competency)
  2. Completion of a Single Subject CSET examination in at least one core content area (English/Language Art, Mathematics, Social Science/History, or Science).
  3. Completion of a CCTC-approved subject matter preparation program
  4. Completion of a combination of subtests and coursework.
     1. Each undergraduate major has a worksheet on which applicants can indicate what courses they have completed that may meet the testing requirements. After completing the worksheet, applicants should request an appointment with a credential analyst.
     2.  
     3. Multiple Subject Competency – Before completing the program, all candidates must demonstrate mastery of Multiple Subject content through one of four ways. They are:

  1. Passage of the Multiple Subject California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), which consists of three (3) subjects:

  CSET Tests

  Subtest I:	Reading Language and Literature; History and Social Science	Test Code 101
  Subtest II:	Science; Mathematics	Test Code 214
  Subtest III:	Physical Education; Human Development; Visual & Performing Arts	Test Code 103

  2. Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies.

  3. Completion of a commission approved subject matter preparation program. Currently, CSUSM offers a preparation program for liberal studies students.

  4. Completion of a combination of subtests and coursework.

  Request an evaluation of prior coursework as it relates to meeting the subject matter competencies.

  More information on subject matter competency options from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

  More information on scheduling and preparing for the CSETs and CBEST.

  Multiple Subject & Concurrent Programs:

  All candidates must meet the California Subject Matter Competency for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects prior to admission to the program. Please note: Conditional admission may be considered on a limited basis; however, state program standards prohibit advanced Clinical Practice (student teaching until CSET: Multiple Subject is met.

  Completion of a commission approved subject matter preparation program. Currently, CSUSM offers a preparation program for liberal studies students. Subject Matter Competency can be met by three options:

  1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree specifically conferred as a Liberal Studies or Liberal Arts major.
  2. Completion of a commission approved subject matter preparation program.
  3. Pass the Multiple Subject CSET Examinations.

   Subject matter competency options

  Test Preparation Resources 

• Obtain Certificate of Clearance

  A Certificate of Clearance (COC) is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Title 5 regulations require that an application for a Certificate of Clearance be filed to determine whether or not a candidate meets the state standards for character and fitness to teach in California’s public schools. A Certificate of Clearance is valid for five years. 

  Obtaining a Certificate of Clearance (CoC) is a two-step process that involves: (1) completing the fingerprinting process at an agency that provides fingerprinting services, and, (2) applying for a Certificate of Clearance online through CTC’s website. You can read about the process of how to obtain your CoC on the CTC website. 

  Please follow the steps outlined below to obtain your Certificate of Clearance: 

  Step 1. Completing the Fingerprinting (also called Live Scan) Process: 

  1. Download and fill out the 41-LS form 
  2. Print 3 copies of the 41-LS form and take it with you to the fingerprinting service agency.  
  3. Take the 41-LS forms to an agency providing fingerprinting services. You can find an agency near you by going to: https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations. Once you select your preferred county, you will be directed to a page with the list of all fingerprinting agency locations in that county. 

  The fingerprinting agency that is closest to the CSUSM campus is the San Diego County Office of Education location (255 Pico Avenue, Room 102, San Marcos, CA. 92069) at the North County Regional Education Center. To find the location information for the San Diego County Office of Education, enter the ‘San Diego County Office of Education’ in the ‘Search’ box at the top of the list of agencies. This should bring up two locations for the San Diego County Office of Education, one of which is the address provided above. 

  Note: Acceptable forms of payment will vary across different agencies. 

  Step 2: Applying for a Certificate of Clearance:

  Once you have completed your fingerprinting (Step 1), your fingerprints will be transmitted electronically to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for clearance. For Step 2, please follow the instructions below: 

  
  

  1. Go to: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/submit-online.html  
  2. Click: ‘Submit Your Application Online’ (This page is going to take you to a login page)
  3. If you do not have an account for the CTC online system, you need to click ‘Create Educator Account’ and follow the instructions. If you already have an account then enter your UserID and Password. 
  4. Once you are logged into the CTC online system, you need to complete your ‘Educator Profile.’ 
  5. On ‘Educator Profile’, select ‘Create New’ under ‘Apply for a Certificate of Clearance or Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificate’ and follow the instructions to complete your application. At the end of the application, you will be asked to submit payment using a credit card.        

  
  

  IMPORTANT: It takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks for CTC to issue a Certificate of Clearance in your online account. Once it is issued, you can access your Certificate of Clearance by logging back into your account. 

• Obtain TB Risk Assessment
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Application and Admission Process

All applicants for the credential programs must apply through Cal State Apply website before the application deadline.

Step 1. Apply for the teacher credential program of your choice. With your application, you will be asked to submit the following: 

• • Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the candidate’s work in the field of education.
  • A copy of official transcripts from all colleges attended, unless you are a CSUSM student (Please note that GPA requirement for admission to the credential programs is 2.5) 
  • TB Risk Assessment 
  • Certificate of Clearance
  • CBEST/CSET test scores (if you have them)

Step 2. Once you complete and submit your application, the admission committtee for each credential program will review your materials and then will schedule interviews with the applicants to further assess their fit for the programs.

Step 3. You will receive an admission decision letter shortly after your interview. If you are missing one or more of the admission requirements, you will receive a "conditional acceptance" to the credential program, and will be required to fullfill the admission requirements before you start your credential program in the Fall.   

• Disclaimers

  California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student to meet California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time. 

  The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C). 

  California State University San Marcos is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Campus that is strongly committed to promoting diversity in all areas of the campus community. We consider qualified applicants for admission to our programs without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status.

Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid 

Tuition and fees for the credential programs are set by the CSUSM, and vary based on state residency and program. For current rates, please visit Student Financial Services page. 

There are many types of financial aid—including grants, loans, and scholarships.  You may even be eligible for aid that you didn't know you qualified for.  A Financial Aid staff member can help you to understand what kinds of aid are availalbe, as well as explain how the financial aid process works.

Visit CSUSM Financial Aid to contact a staff member to help figure out which type of aid will work best for you. Also, explore the Scholarships & Grants page on the SOE website. 

Transfer Credit

Students who wish to transfer in courses from other institutions may do so if the program faculty assesses that the course content is aligned with  the program student learning outcomes. Program faculty will consider up to 9 units of graduate-level coursework that a student has successfully completed at another institution. Transfer credit evaluations take place once an applicant has received an admission offer.