Teaching and Educational Services Credential Programs

Graduate College of Education

Dean: Dr. Cynthia Grutzik

Teaching and Educational Services credentials are governed by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) under authority granted to it by the California State Legislature. Institutions of higher education are granted the right to recommend candidates for licensing by the CTC after this agency has approved all programs related to teacher education and educational services credentials (Administrative Services, Clinical or Rehabilitative Services, Pupil Personnel Services, and Speech-Language Pathology Services). All programs at San Francisco State University that lead to public school teaching and school services credentials have received CTC approval.

The professional teacher preparation programs leading to a teaching credential or services credential, along with the formal authorization to recommend the awarding of credentials, are the responsibility of the Graduate College of Education. Some required coursework for credentials is offered in various colleges and departments across the University. Academic departments offering majors in approved subject matter programs are responsible for certifying the subject matter competency of candidates. If a candidate has obtained a subject matter competency waiver from another institution of higher education, the student must provide verification in their admissions application.

Credential and Graduate Services Center

The Credential and Graduate Services Center (CGSC) in the Graduate College of Education provides a one-stop-shop for all inquiries about credential program application requirements and procedures and information about applying for or renewing teaching and services credentials. The Credential and Graduate Services Center is located in Burk Hall 244.
Phone: (415) 405-3594
Email: credinfo@sfsu.edu 
Website: http://gcoe.sfsu.edu.

The pathways one might pursue in order to become a public school teacher or university professor follow:

Pathways to a Career in Education

I want to work in:

Preschool

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Major in Child and Adolescent Development
Admissions Tests None
Post–B.A. Preparation None

Elementary School

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Complete a bachelor’s degree in any subject. The Liberal Studies major or Child and Adolescent Development major provides preparation for the Multiple Subjects CSET. These majors also offer the ESM (Elementary Subject Matter) Waiver for students enrolled beginning Fall 2018 which waives the CSET Multiple Subjects Exam. These majors also provide 45 hours of early field experience in a public school.
Admissions Tests Basic Skills Exam (See MSC Admission Packet for various options), CSET: Multiple Subjects or ESM Waiver
Post-B.A. Prepartion Complete a Multiple Subject Credential Program. Pass the RICA exam. Fulfill the U.S. Constitution, Level I Technology, CPR, and edTPA requirements. Complete fingerprinting requirement.

High School or Middle School

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Major in the subject area that you plan to teach OR pass the CSET in the subject matter, fulfill early field experience and second language requirements.
Admissions Tests Basic Skills Exam, CSET or Subject Matter Program in Content Area
Post–B.A. Preparation Complete a Single Subject Credential program. Fulfill the U.S. Constitution, Level I Technology, CPR, and edTPA requirements. Complete fingerprinting requirement.

Special Education

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Complete undergraduate preparation for elementary or secondary education and fulfill early field experience requirement.
Admissions Tests Basic Skills Exam, CSET (for Education Specialist Credentials only, except Early Childhood Special Education)
Post–B.A. Preparation Complete an Education Specialist Credential or Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential program. Pass the RICA Exam (for Education Specialist Credentials only, except Early Childhood Special Education). Fulfill the U.S. Constitution and CPR requirements (for Education Specialist Credentials only). Complete fingerprinting requirement.

Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Complete undergraduate preparation for Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) or complete the 13 undergraduate courses in SLHS as listed on the SF State SLHS website
Admissions Tests Basic Skills Exam; Written English Proficiency - Level I
Post–B.A. Preparation Complete a Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential program as part of a Master of Science Degree in Communicative Disorders. Complete fingerprinting requirement.

Educational Administration

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Complete a teaching or services credential program.
Admissions Tests Basic Skills Exam
Post–B.A. Preparation Complete an Administrative Services Credential program, and CalAPA requirements.

Teacher Leadership, Professional Development, Program & Curriculum Development

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Complete undergraduate preparation in the content area in which you wish to work.
Admissions Tests Consult individual department or program.
Post–B.A. Preparation Complete an MA in Education in a variety of available concentrations.

School District Leadership

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Complete a BA relevant for an Elementary, High School, or Special Education teaching credential (see earlier sections of this pathway for details).
Admissions Tests GRE including writing section. See EdD program website for other details.
Post–B.A. Preparation Earn selected teaching credential, complete three-years of teaching, and earn an administrative services credential (see relevant sections of this pathway for details). You must also have earned a master’s level graduate degree (e.g., MA, MS, MPH, MPA, MSW) as a prerequisite of admission to SF State's EdD program. The graduate degree may be in any field.
Doctoral Degree Complete the SF State EdD in Educational Leadership.

College-Level TESOL

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Complete an English major with a concentration in Language Studies OR prerequisite courses.
Admissions Tests Consult SF State English Department.
Post-B.A. Preparation Complete a Master of Arts in English with a Concentration in TESOL.

Community College

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Major in the subject you wish to teach.
Admissions Tests Consult Department.
Post-B.A. Preparation Complete a Master's degree.

University

Requirement Satisfied by
Undergraduate Preparation Major in the subject you wish to teach.
Admissions Tests Consult Department.
Post-B.A. Preparation Complete a doctorate degree (PhD or EdD).

Glossary of Important Terms

Administrative Services Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to work as the principal of an elementary, middle, or high school.

Basic Skills Exam: A test of basic math, reading, and writing skills that all credential candidates must pass. Can be taken as soon as you have completed basic college requirements in English and math. The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is one of several ways to meet the Basic Skills Requirement.

Bilingual Authorization: SF State offers a bilingual emphasis (Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish) that allows elementary school candidates to teach in bilingual programs. Course work and a language proficiency exam in the target language (Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish) are required. Candidates must declare their intention at the time of application.

CTC: Commission on Teacher Credentialing. A state agency that establishes, reviews, and maintains standards for California educators and awards credentials on the recommendation of a university.

Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to work in the area of orientation and mobility.

CSET: California Subject Examination for Teachers. A test of subject matter competency.

Early Field Experience: Required for admission to most teaching credential programs. Usually, consists of a minimum of 45 hours of volunteer or work experience in the type of classroom environment in which you plan to teach. Classrooms should be culturally and linguistically diverse.

Education Specialist Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to teach students with disabilities in specific areas of specialization (e.g., early childhood special education, mild to moderate disabilities, moderate to severe disabilities, visual impairments).

Multiple Subject Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to teach in a self-contained classroom (usually grades K-5).

RICA: Reading Instruction Competence Assessment. A test taken after completion of courses in teaching reading.

School District Leadership: A doctoral-level program offered by SF State.

Single Subject Credential: The California basic teaching credential that allows you to teach a specific subject to different groups of students (usually grades 6-12).

Teaching and Services Credentials

Teaching credential programs offered at SF State comply with the Senate Bill 2042 standards. The following credential programs are available at SF State:

Multiple Subject Credential Programs

  • Multiple Subject Preliminary
  • Multiple Subject Preliminary with Bilingual Authorization in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish
  • Intern Multiple Subject
  • Intern Multiple Subject with Bilingual Authorization in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish

Single Subject Credential Program

  • Single Subject Preliminary
  • Intern Single Subject

Education Specialist Credential Programs

  • Early Childhood Special Education Preliminary
  • Mild to Moderate Disabilities Preliminary
  • Moderate to Severe Disabilities Preliminary
  • Visual Impairments Preliminary
  • Intern Education Specialist (all program areas)

Special Education Added Authorizations

  • Orthopedic Impairment
  • Adapted Physical Education (offered in the Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Social Sciences)

Specialist Credential Programs

  • Reading Literacy Added Authorization (Certificate)

School Services Credential Programs

  • Administrative Services Preliminary
  • Intern Administrative Services
  • Pupil Personnel Services: School Counseling (offered in the Department of Counseling, College of Health and Social Sciences)
  • Pupil Personnel Services: School Psychology (offered in the Department of Psychology, College of Science and Engineering)
  • Pupil Personnel Services: School Social Work (offered in the Department of Social Work, College of Health and Social Sciences)
  • Intern Pupil Personnel Services: School Counseling (offered in the Department of Counseling, College of Health and Social Sciences)
  • Intern Pupil Personnel Services: School Psychology (offered in the Department of Psychology, College of Science and Engineering)

Other Services Clear Credential Programs

  • Clinical or Rehabilitative Services: Orientation and Mobility
  • Speech-Language Pathology Services: Language, Speech, and Hearing