Teaching credentials in the State of California are regulated by the legislature and administered by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). While students are admitted to CSULB and take classes through our programs, the credential is ultimately awarded by the
CCTC. If you have completed a bachelor’s degree and are interested in pursuing a teaching credential as a post-baccalaureate student, please review the information below to ensure your application experience is a positive one. The
Teacher Preparation and Advising Center (TPAC) in the College of Education offers pre-program and in-program advising and information for individuals who are interested in pursuing one of the following teaching
credential programs: To qualify for admission to the university as a post-baccalaureate student to pursue a teaching credential and enroll in prerequisite courses, you must meet general university admission requirements as well as the professional, personal, scholastic or other standards as prescribed by the program. The minimum university admission requirements for post-baccalaureate consideration are:
The application period for Spring admission begins on August 1, and the application period for Fall admission begins on October 1. Be sure to review the application deadline webpage and the Teacher Preparation Advising Center website to verify the deadline for the term you are seeking admission. Submit the university application
online: Submit your transcripts: Enrollment Services/Admissions Verify the program application requirements: The CSULB Admissions Office will review your application and transcripts to verify your eligibility based on the minimum university admission requirements. If you meet these minimum requirements, your application will be forwarded to the credential program for review. You will receive notification of your admission status after the credential program has made their decision. CSULB uses email as the official means of communication, so applicants are required to maintain a current email address on file with the university and check their email regularly. You may update your email address or check the status of your admission application by visiting the Applicant Self-Service webpage. Credential applicants may be offered admission on a provisional basis if certain requirements (such as the baccalaureate degree) are in progress at the time of admission. These requirements must be completed prior to enrollment in the program, and failure to meet these requirements will result in the rescission of the admission offer. Students who are offered “provisional admission” must submit to Enrollment Services a final official transcript showing the conferral date for the baccalaureate degree as follows:
After receipt of the final transcript, the admission decision will be audited to ensure all requirements have been met. If the requirements have not been met, the student will receive notification that the offer of admission has been rescinded. Students will be allowed to enroll for classes prior to receipt of the transcript; however, if proof of degree completion is not received by the deadline, classes will be administratively dropped. Most students are admitted to teaching credential programs on a conditional basis. Students seeking a teaching credential must complete prerequisite and co-requisite courses and an application process by the end of the second semester in order to maintain admission to the program. The program will review the progress of the student to determine if the required coursework and the credential application process will be met by the end of the second semester. Admission to the university will be withdrawn if it is determined that the requirements are not met by the end of the second semester of enrollment. What is the fastest way to get a teaching credential in California?Apply for certification
After completing an approved program, the fastest and easiest way to apply for a California teaching credential is online. The program sponsor must formally recommend you for the appropriate certification via the CTC's online system.
Is a Masters degree required to teach in California?At minimum, you will need a bachelor's degree to teach most grade levels and school subjects in California, including elementary school. You can obtain a bachelor's degree in various subjects, but must also complete a master's degree program or a teaching credential program to fulfill the state's requirements.
How long is a teaching credential program in California?The amount of time it takes to earn a teaching credential depends on your chosen program and pathway. A traditional, non-accelerated college or university program takes four to five years, assuming you complete each course successfully the first time. Internships may take longer depending on the institution you choose.
Can I get a California teaching credential online?Students in the Online California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program can get their teaching credential online and learn how to create inclusive learning environments for classrooms from kindergarten through grade 12.
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