1. Becoming a Teacher…
If you are interested in exploring the Credential Program at SSU, this is a good place to start. The following presentation is an overview of the requirements that a candidate will need in order to qualify for admission.
Maricela Ibarra, M.A., Students Services Coordinator
Margie Dineen, Administrative Coordinator

2. Steps to take… Meet GPA requirements Choose credential program
Take pre-req classes (if needed)
Complete pre-program field experience
Meet basic skills requirement
Meet subject matter competency
Apply to credential program
Candidates that enter teaching, are choosing a career that is State Licensed. As with any licensing program, there are requirements that must be met prior to entrance. The State of California has stipulated criteria that all programs must follow in order for a candidate to be admitted. SSU, as well as all CA Teacher Preparation Programs follow these criteria.

3. Degree Requirement
Major in the subject you love! Any major will work to earn a teaching credential.
Students with ANY undergraduate degree from any accredited university can apply to be in the credential program.
Prior to entering the program , a candidate must first obtain a degree . The degree can be held in any major. If a candidate wishes to teach English at the high school level, they can hold a business degree, a political science degree, or criminal justice degree. You do not need to major in the subject area you wish to teach. The only requirement is that the degree was obtained at an accredited university.

4. GPA Requirement
Candidates must have attained a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.67 in all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate coursework or a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester units attempted.
A Credential Program is a graduate level program, and as such, candidates must meet minimum GPA requirements.

5. Basic Credential Programs
Multiple Subject
Single Subject
Education Specialist
TK-12 Grade
Authorization for a self-contained teaching setting
Teaches all subject areas
This credential is most often used to teach in elementary schools
K-12th grade
Authorization for teaching
in a subject specific departmentalized setting.
Art, Foreign Language, Music, Social Studies, Math, Science, PE…
K- age 22
Authorization for working with students with special needs (Mild-Moderate or Moderate-Severe disabilities)
Autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, health impairment, emotional disturbance, etc..
SSU offers three preliminary credentials and a candidate must decide which credential they wish to obtain. The three credentials are: Multiple Subject, Single Subject and Education Specialist.
Although the Multiple Subject Credential is almost exclusively used to teach at the elementary level, the credential is valid to teach through the 12th grade. There are unique circumstances in which the holder of a MS Credential can teach at the higher grade levels, but it is not common.
The Single Subject Credential is typically held by Middle School and High School Teachers, but the credential does cover grades from Kindergarten – 12th. A typical scenario for a teacher who holds a single subject degree, but who is teaching at an elementary site, might be one who holds a single subject Art, Music or PE credential.
The Education Specialist Credential covers all grade levels from Kindergarten – age 22.
Teachers who hold an Education Specialist Credential work with students who have identified learning needs.

6. Pre-Req Requirements Multiple Subject Credential Program
Single Subject
Education Specialist
EDMS 419 (3): Identity and Agency for Socially Just Classrooms and Communities
EDUC 417 (3) Schools and Society OR
LIBS 312 (3): Schools in American Society
EDSS 418 (3): Development in Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
EDUC 417 (3): Schools and Society
NO PRE-REQS
The Multiple Subject and the Single Subject Credential Programs both have pre-req classes which must be completed prior to starting the program. The Education Specialist Program does not have pre-reqs.

7. Field Experience
Candidates interested in getting a teaching credential must provide verification of having completed 45 hours of experience working with a group of children at the grade level they wish to teach.
Examples of experience are, but not limited to:
Tutoring a group of students
Coaching
Classroom assistant
After school programs
There is a 45 hour pre-program field experience requirement which also must be completed prior to entering the program. This requirement can be fulfilled in a variety of ways, but is most commonly met by volunteering or observing in a local classroom.

8. Basic Skills Requirement Options
Exam
Required Score
Documentation to Submit with Application
CBEST or CSET Writing
CSET Writing can only be taken in conjunction w/ Multiple Subject CSET Exams
PASS
Provide a copy of your registration or the PDF which confirms passage of exam
SAT
English: 500 and Math: 550
Provide official score report
ACT
English: 22 & Math: 23
AP Exams
English Language Composition or English Literature & Composition: 3
Calculus or Statistics: 3
CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP)
College Ready or Exempt
CSU Entry Level Math (ELM)
CSU English Placement (EPT)
Math 50 and English: 151
Basic Skills Requirement: This statutory requirement mandates that any candidate entering a credentialing program must demonstrate that they have met basic skills. Basic Skills can only be met by passage of an exam. Although there are several options , the CBEST exam is typically the most common choice.

9. Subject Matter Competency
Multiple Subject
Single Subject
Education Specialist
Completion of Subject Matter Waiver Program or
Completion of Multiple Subject CSET Exams
Completion of Single Subject CSET Exams
Completion of Multiple OR Single Subject CSET Exams
Subject Matter Competency: This is the 2nd part of the Statutory requirement. A candidate must demonstrate that they are qualified to teach the subject content areas in which they are obtaining their credential for. There are two ways to show subject matter competency. A candidate can complete a subject matter waiver program as part of their undergraduate degree, or they complete the CSET exams. The website listed here provides additional information on the Basic Skills and Subject Matter Competency requirements.
NOTE: CSET test dates, test registration procedures and deadlines, and test score reporting dates are available at: ctc.exams.nesinc.com

10. Apply to Program Apply to SSU via Cal State Apply and…
Note: If you have obtained your BA or BS Degree and are currently taking pre-req classes at SSU, you do not need to complete this step.
2. Apply to School of Education via paper application.
website: web.sonoma.edu/education/admissions/
The final step is applying for the program. The application is a two step process. A candidate applies for admission to SSU via Cal State Apply which is an on-line application. They must also apply to School of Education via a hard copy application. The hard copy application can be downloaded from our website.

11. Why Choose SSU's School of Education to Advance Your Career?
Face-to-face and online learning experiences
Small class size
Faculty are graduates from prestigious doctoral programs
SSU School of Education teacher candidates get hired
Field placements in schools are personally arranged and facilitated by faculty and staff
National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education Grants support continued education as a new teacher
Partner with award-winning mentor teachers
Our programs offer the best value teacher credential in the North Bay Region
Our programs are fully accredited and meet all state and national standards
Why chose SSU? We are the premier teaching college in the North Bay. We enjoy an excellent reputation and have strong relationships with many local school districts in the bay area. Our candidates are sought after and many have job offers prior to completing the program.

12. Website: web.sonoma.edu/education/
Contact Us
Credentials Office:
Student Services Coordinator: Maricela Ibarra, M.A.
Administrative Coordinator: Margie Dineen
Website: web.sonoma.edu/education/
We encourage you to contact us to find our more about our admissions process. Applying to a State Licensing Program can be complicated, and our job is to assist you We are here to help and we hope that you will give us the opportunity to answer your questions and help you navigate this application process.

13. Thank You!
Thank you from all of us at Sonoma State University School of Education.