Program Admission and Application Requirements 1. Attend a General Advisement Session: http://www.sjsu.edu/elementaryed/programs/multiple_subject_credential/advisement_session/ 2. Bachelors Degree: Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. Candidates graduating in May 2013 are eligible to apply. Foreign Degree, see pg. 14. 3. Apply to the University via CSU Mentor: http://www.csumentor.edu/. University acceptance is required for you to be admitted to the Department Teaching Credential Program. 4. Apply to our program directly. Submit your application and required documents to the Elementary Education Office, Sweeney Hall (SH) 305. See Step A below. A. TO START AN APPLICATION FILE ITEMS 1-7 BELOW ARE REQUIRED BEFORE A PRE-ADMISSION INTERVIEW CAN BE SCHEDULED. 1. Complete the Department Application Form on pg. 21. 2. Provide official transcripts from ALL colleges/universities you attended, including SJSU. Students with pending degrees should submit current transcripts to start application file and will also need to submit final transcripts with degree conferred to complete file. PLEASE NOTE: The minimum GPA required for admission into the Department at is 2.87. The absolute minimum for admission to the University as a graduate student is 2.5. Applicants with GPA lower than 2.5 will automatically be denied. 3. 50 hours of Pre-professional Experience: Pre-professional experience is a requirement for admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Program. Document experience by using the Preprofessional Experience Verification Form on pg. 22. Document in-process hours/coursework at the time you apply. Final documentation is due by the Document Deadline. 4. Provide Score Report Verifying Completion of Basic Skills Requirement: California law requires that all teachers verify basic skills proficiency. This is a requirement for admission into the Multiple Subject Credential Program. Individuals may satisfy the basic skills requirement by ONE of the following methods: Pass the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test). Individuals only need to pass the CBEST once; CBEST passing scores remain valid indefinitely for all credential and employment purposes. To pass the CBEST, one must obtain a minimum scaled score of 41 in each of the three sections reading, writing, and mathematics. However, a section score as low as 37 is acceptable if the total scaled score is at least 123. Any or all sections of the CBEST can be repeated as many times as necessary to obtain a passing score, but the full registration fee is charged for each test administration. Additional testing information about CBEST is available at: http://www.cbest.nesinc.com. Please Note: We do not receive scores sent by the testing site. YOU must provide us with a copy of your official CBEST results. A list of ALL options for meeting the basic skills requirement is available on the CCTC website at: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl667.pdf 10
5. Personal Essay: Why I Want to be a Teacher. In your personal essay, explain how you arrived at your decision to become a teacher. Your essay should be two pages in length (double spaced, 10-12 font type). 6. Resume: Prepare a brief (one page) resume that details your college-level academic, employment and volunteer experiences. In describing a position you held (employment or volunteer service), highlight the duties you performed and any awards/accomplishments you would like us to know about. 7. Letters of Recommendation: Three (3) letters of recommendation must accompany your initial application. Your letters should speak your qualities as a teacher. Only one letter of recommendation may be from a personal friend. The remaining two letters should be from those who know you as a in a work, voluntary service or academic environment (e.g., a professor). All letters must be current (written within the past 3 years). The date the letter was written the handwritten signature of the recommender, and a telephone contact number for the recommender MUST be included in each letter. Photo copies may be submitted in place of original documents. B. TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FILE 1. Certificate of Clearance: California law requires individuals in a teacher credential program to obtain a Certificate of Clearance prior to beginning student teaching. A Certificate of Clearance is a document that verifies that the individual has completed the Commission's (CCTC) fingerprint and character and identification process. As fingerprinting is a requirement for Emergency Permits, individuals holding these permits do not need to complete the Certificate of Clearance. A copy of the Emergency permit may be submitted to the Department in lieu of the Certificate of Clearance. See pg. 15 for instructions on how to obtain the Certificate of Clearance. NOTE: A felony conviction generally disqualifies a candidate from teaching in California. NO candidate may advance to student teaching without a Certificate of Clearance on file with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). A copy of the documentation verifying CTC approval of the Certification of Clearance must be on file with the Department before a student teaching placement may be made. 2. Subject Matter Competence: Pass the CSET Multiple Subject Examination. California law requires that all teachers verify subject matter competence in subjects taught in K-8 classrooms. Individuals must verify subject-matter competence by passing all three (3) sections of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). Passing scores are valid for 5 years and must be used for certification purposes within five years of the passing test date. This limit also applies to each score independently. The five-year limit does not apply to exam scores that have previously been used for other certification purposes. No candidate may advance to student teaching without having completed the CSET requirement. Document deadlines vary by program option. Please see the Fall Admission Deadlines page included in your Department acceptance packet for additional information. As a reminder, we do not receive scores from the testing site. It is YOUR responsibility to submit a copy of your official scores to the Department. If you are taking the sections individually, submit each score report as you receive them. 11
INFORMATION ABOUT CSET The CSET Multiple Subjects exam consists of three subtests. Each subtest covers specific domains, and each includes multiple-choice and constructed-response items. The three subtests measure knowledge in the following areas: Subtest and Domains Covered Subtest I (101) Reading, Language and Literature History and Social Science Subtest II (102) Science Mathematics Subtest III (103) Physical Education Human Development Visual and Performing Arts Items Per Test Form Passing Score Test Length 52 multiple-choice (26 in each area) 4 constructed-response (2 in each area) 52 multiple-choice (26 in each area) 4 constructed-response (2 in each area) 39 multiple-choice (13 in each area) 3 constructed-response (1 in each area) 12 CSET examinees will be provided five uninterrupted hours of testing time in which to complete, in the order of their choice, any or all subtests for which they have registered. All three subtests may be taken all at the same time are separately. Additional testing information about the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) is available at: http://www.cset.nesinc.com/ FAQ about CSET How can I prepare for this test? CSET study guides can be purchased at any bookstore. Start a study group and study with other students who plan to enter the program. Pay careful attention to Subtest III, it seems to be more challenging than expected, requiring a second opportunity. Do I have to take all three subtests on the same test date? No, the CSET Multiple Subject subtests I, II, and III may be taken individually on separate dates but all three subtests must be passed to verify competence. The Multiple Subject CSET is a computer-based exam. When choosing test dates, please be sure to click on the computer mouse icon to ensure you are registering for the correct exam and exam dates. Do I need to submit CSET passing scores to the Department even if I request for them to be sent directly to SJSU? YES, a copy of your individual passing scores for all three subtests must be submitted to the department. The department does not receive the electronic scores even though you may have requested that they be sent to SJSU. C. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BEFORE STUDENT TEACHING District-Level Fingerprint Clearance: Although candidates are required to have a Certificate of Clearance on file with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, some of our participating districts require district-level clearance as well. Candidates should arrange an appointment with the participating district s Human Resources Department at least 10 working days before the start of the field placement to ensure district-level fingerprint clearance is completed. Candidates may not begin their field placement without having both CTC and district-level clearance. TB Test: For the safety and health of all involved in field placement, it is essential that every SJSU student teacher provide documentation of the TB test taken within the last 3 years. In cases where the results were positive, we also need a copy of the X-ray report that verifies that TB is not present in your lungs. This documentation will be required in order to enroll in student teaching (EDEL143A or EDEL143B).
Bilingual Authorizations: Applicants for Bilingual Authorization must satisfy second language requirements before student teaching, EDEL 143B. The requirement is met by passing the CSET LOTE exams. See chart below for tests required. Additional testing information about the CSET LOTE exams for Bilingual Authorizations is available at: http://www.cset.nesinc.com/cs15_certrequirements.asp#7 Bilingual Authorization Area CSET Subtests Required for SJSU Program Spanish Spanish Subtest III* (test code 147) *For Bilingual Authorization only, passage of this subtest is not required if (1) you hold a valid, nonemergency Single Subject or Standard Secondary Teaching Credential with a major in the language authorized by the Bilingual Authorization you are seeking or (2) you hold a three-year or higher degree from a foreign institution in which all instruction is delivered in the language authorized by the Bilingual Authorization you are seeking and the institution is equivalent in status to a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the United States. D. REQUIREMENTS BEFORE COMPLETING THE CREDENTIAL PROGRAM: NOTE: The requirements listed below may be completed before, anytime during or after completion of the credential coursework (except where noted). However, all requirements must be completed before applying for your Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential at the end of the program. U.S. Constitution: California law requires individuals to verify completion of a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university. The U.S. Constitution requirement may be satisfied by ONE of the following methods: 1. If you received your Bachelors Degree from a CSU, you have met this requirement. Requirement will be verified by degree conferred on official transcript. 2. Course Option. The courses below are approved by the CCTC to meet the U.S. Constitution requirement at Bay Area Community Colleges. College Course Cabrillo Pols 1 or 5 City College of S.F. Pols 1 DeAnza College Hist 17A or Pols 1 Evergreen College Pols 1 Foothill College Pols 1 or 7 San Jose City College Pols 1 West Valley College Pols 1 or 1H If you have taken a course at another institution that you believe satisfies the requirement but is not listed above, follow the instructions on the U.S. Constitution Requirement Verification Form on pg. 23 and submit to the Credentialing Office in Sweeney Hall 108. The credentialing office will review the request and inform you of the decision. 13
3. Exam Option: The following testing centers offer the U.S. Constitution exam. Testing Center SJSU Testing Office https://testing.sjsu.edu 408-924-5980 testeval@email.sjsu.edu Basic Educational Technology: It is required by the State of California that all applicants for a Preliminary Credential demonstrate knowledge that includes general and specialized skills in the use of computers in educational settings. This can be satisfied by one of two methods: 1. Course Option: Take a CCTC approved course below. Official transcripts are required to verify completion of course. Institution Course SJSU EDUC 122 or EDTE 214 Foothill College CIS 50A 2. Test Option: Pass the Technology Test via one of the following testing options. Testing Center SJSU www.sjsu.edu/elementaryed/technology CSET www.cset.nesinc.com Preliminary Educational Technology Subtests I (133) & Subtests II (134) 408-924-3771 eledtechnologytest@gmail.com (800) 205-3334 (916) 928-4003 CPR: It is required by CCTC s Standard 10 5 that all applicants for a Preliminary Certification must include Infant, Child and Adult CPR. Certification must be valid at the time of applying for the Credential. Below are institutions approved by our Credentialing Office? Institution American Heart Association Heart Saver Healthcare Provider American Red Cross Community CPR Adult, Child & Infant (408) 977-4950 (408) 577-1000 RICA: Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment. Additional testing information about the RICA Test is available at www.rica.nesinc.com. NOTE: RICA is to be taken following completion of EDEL 108A (Reading and Language Arts Curriculum). EDEL 108A helps prepare candidates for the RICA test. 5 California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Standard 10: Preparation for learning to create a supportive, healthy environment for student learning. 14