FAQ1. Does comparable coursework taken previously satisfy
current credential requirements?
Completed professional preparation courses are valid for seven
years. Coursework completed at another college or university must
be evaluated to determine equivalency .
2. May I take courses required for the credential through
Open University?
Professional preparation courses in Secondary Education may be
taken through Open University only if you:
- already hold a California Preliminary Credential and are
working on a Professional Clear Credential and
- take fewer than 4 units.
Exceptions to this rule are made only in cases of very unusual
circumstance and require the approval of the coordinator of the
Single Subject Credential Program.
Enrollment in professional preparation courses through Open
University in other SJSU departments requires the approval of a
subject area coordinator in the respective department .
3. Do I have to pass CBEST before being admitted to the
Program?
Yes
4. Are there required professional preparation courses I
may take before being admitted to the Program?
Yes. You may take Health Education and
Mainstreaming.
However, you must have been admitted or admitted
conditionally to the Program to enroll in any credential courses:
EDSC 138A, EDSC 162, EDSC 172A, EDSC 173, EDSC 182, EDSC 184X, and
all courses numbered 184Y and 184Z.
5. For how long are passing CSET scores valid?
Passing scores on are valid for 5 years from the date of the test.
Verification of subject matter competency by coursework is valid
for 5 years from the date of the Subject Matter Competency
Report.
6. May I do my student teaching in a private school?
You may student teach in a non-public school for a small portion
of the student teaching experience if:
- the school is accredited and coeducational,
- you are employed at the school as a teacher,
- your request is approved by both your subject area advisor and
the coordinator of the SSCP.
University policy requires that a significant portion of student
teaching be completed in a public school.
7. What is a Certificate of Clearance? Do I need one?
A Certificate of Clearance is professional fitness review that
verifies you have not been convicted of a felony, a condition
which, by California law, would prevent you from being issued a
credential. A valid sub permit permit will be accepted in lieu
of a Certificate of Clearance.
8. Must I satisfy the pre-professional experience requirement
before being fully admitted to the Program?
Yes.
9. What happens if my GPA falls below 3.0 during the
program?
Candidates whose GPA falls below 3.0 are subject to
disqualification from the Program with the following proviso:
disqualification cannot be effected by a grade lower than B in any
single course or by a grade lower than B given in more than one
course by the same professor, however c andidates with a GPA
below 3.0 are not eligible for student teaching.
10. Is it possible to have student teaching waived?
Candidates who have not completed student teaching under the
direction of a SJSU supervisor will not be recommended for the
credential. However, a candidate may be exempted from phase I of
the student teaching requirement on the grounds of equivalent
experience such as:
- Two years part time (contracted) or one year full time teaching
experience in a public secondary school.
- Documented school administrator evaluations of teaching
competence reasonable for a novice teacher.
- Documented participation in new teacher support program in
school district.
- Approval of Secondary Education Chair
11. Do I have to do my student teaching in the immediate area
of the University?
Yes. Student Teachers are placed in schools in the immediate Santa
Clara Valley area. Exceptions to this rule may be made for persons
contracted in more distant districts but this is not
guaranteed.
12. When must I satisfy the Constitution requirement?
The Constitution requirement must be satisfied - either by
coursework or exam – as a prerequisite to the Single Subject
Credential Program. Students who have received their Bachelors
Degree from a CSU have met this requirement. Check with the
Secondary Education Department to determine whether you have
satisfied this requirement. Click here
for information on the test.
13. What are the beginning and ending dates of student
teaching?
Phase I student teaching coincides with the University calendar.
However, in most subject areas, Phase II Student Teaching extends
through the last day of the semester of the school to which the
student teacher is assigned. Exceptions to this rule require the
approval of the (1) resident teacher and (2) University supervisor.
Check with your subject area advisor for additional
information.
14. Can I complete required subject matter preparation
courses or take the exams while taking credential courses?
You may be admitted to the University as a potential credential
student to take subject matter courses only. You will be reviewed
for admission to the program once the courses are completed or you
achieve passing scores on the CSET exams .
15. Is it possible to teach full-time and simultaneously earn
the credential?
If you are hired by a district on a temporary permit, it
may be possible to student teach at the public secondary
school where you are employed. You may take up to five years to
complete your credential; coursework can be spread out to lighten
your workload.
16. Can I be authorized to teach in more than one subject
area?
Once you earn your credential, you can achieve subject matter
compentency in other teaching areas by meeting subject matter
competency either through coursework or through the CSET exam. To
be authorized to teach only at the begining level, you can earn a
supplemental authorization (20 units) or a subject matter
authorization (32 units).
For more information about Supplemental Authorizations, check
the CCTC website: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets.html
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