Credential Information

If you are a National University student and have a question or concern regarding your credential program please contact our Credentials Direct Access toll free 1-866-NU ACCESS, ext. 8300 or by email at credentials@nu.edu. 

If you would like to talk to National University about enrolling in a credential program please contact 1-800-NAT-UNIV and ask for the Admissions Department in your area.

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL CREDENTIAL
PROGRAMS

Candidates seeking admission to a Credential program at National University should refer to the appropriate academic information for undergraduate or graduate admission procedures. Information below that is specific to either an Undergraduate/Blended or Graduate level program is notated.

CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS ADMISSION PROCESS

In addition to the requirements listed in the undergraduate and graduate admission procedures, applicants to all of National University’s credential programs must comply with the following credential program admissions procedure within 30 days of enrollment:

1. Complete the Credential Orientation
2. Complete a Credential Packet including:
• Acknowledgement of Terms and Agreements
• Student Teaching Request Form
• Negative TB test results
• Proof of Fingerprint Clearance
• Proof of attempt to pass or passage of Basic Skills Assessment is required for admittance to the program (Proof of passage is mandatory prior to clinical practice)

Note:
• Candidates transferring from a credential program from another university must provide a letter of good standing.
• Undergraduate candidates who have coursework in transfer that may meet coursework requirements at National University should coordinate with their admissions advisor.
• Candidates with international degrees who do not hold a U.S.- approved bachelor’s degree must receive an evaluation from a
CTC-approved international evaluation agency before being admitted to the University and starting the first course.

CREDENTIAL RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS
 

All candidates enrolled in a credential program must meet the residency requirements as specified in the degree. All clinical practice courses must be taken in residency and may not be waived. Courses taken online are considered to be in-residence.
Undergraduate Residency
Please see Academic Information for Undergraduate Degrees for overall degree residencies as well as your degree requirements for specific residencies
Credential Residency
1. Each credential has its own minimum residency requirement at National University to be recommended for a credential to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The residency requirements are listed under each program in this section. Courses taken online are considered to be in-residence.
2. The residency requirement does not apply to candidates in the following programs:
• Level II Special Education
• California Reading Certificate
• Early Childhood Special Education Certificate
• Professional/Tier II Administrative Services Credential
• An additional credential if one is previously held

Note: All Credential related coursework must be completed with a
GPA of 3.0 (“D”, “F” or “U” grades are not accepted and must be repeated). Please see the specific grade requirements listed under your specific credential program.

STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TERMS
AND AGREEMENTS

To ensure that graduates of National University’s teaching and services credential programs are able to meet the legal requirements of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), all applicants for admission to a credential program must sign a student acknowledgment.

The student acknowledgment (provided in each credential packet) gives National University the right to suspend or terminate the candidate’s participation in the credential program for any of the following reasons:

• Committed acts or engaged in conduct that could constitute grounds for denial of a credential
• Failed to demonstrate the requisite skills and qualifications to satisfy the requirements for a credential
• Demonstrated other qualities or behaviors enumerated in the student agreement inconsistent with National University’s recommendation of the candidate for an education credential. The student agreement also authorizes National University to release to the Commission all pertinent information pertaining to the candidate’s qualification or fitness for a credential

Program Advisement

Every credential program has an assigned faculty advisor who is available to provide program specific advisement related to a specific program field. The faculty advisor name and contact information is listed in the catalog under the heading of specific programs. The faculty advisor is a resource for specific questions candidates may have about classes, curriculum, and instructors.

Each candidate also has a Credential Program Specialist available to him/her to help navigate the specifics of the state credentialing requirements. These requirements can vary and are in constant flux due to changing legislation and the dynamic nature of public education. It is very important for candidates to work closely with their local Credential Program Specialist to understand and educate themselves on the specifics of their particular credentialing requirements.

CLINICAL PRACTICE INFORMATION

Detailed requirements for clinical practice are listed in the specific program areas of the catalog and in other handbooks and/or orientation courses. All Clinical Practice, Student Teaching, Internship and Program Specific courses are scheduled by a Credential Program Specialist.

Student Teaching Placements

Candidates are placed in their student teaching assignment by the University. Candidates should not contact districts directly to obtain student teaching placement. Please see detailed Student Teaching requirements in the specific program areas of the catalog.

University Internships

University Internship credential programs provide opportunities for Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate candidates to assume the responsibilities of full-time “teachers of record” while completing the credential coursework required for a preliminary credential.
Interns are salaried credentialed employees of a school or agency, working on a two year Internship Credential valid only at the site of hire.

National University candidates who are interested in becoming a university intern must meet the internship eligibility requirements to be enrolled in the program. Candidates on permanent academic probation are not eligible for the National University Internship Program. Please see the detailed University Internship requirements under each specific credential program in the catalog.

Teaching Under Contract

National University provides a program whereby actively employed teachers can complete the requirements for their teaching credential while employed. All of the student teaching may be conducted in the candidate’s classroom, assuming that the contract position is a match for the credential sought.

Credential Candidates Teaching under Contract:

• In an approved multiple subject assignment can complete the assignment in their own classroom. There must be documented experience with K-2 or beginning readers, otherwise candidates must complete four weeks in an alternate setting with a certified teacher.
• In an approved single subject assignment (within the credential area) can complete the full semester in their own assignment provided that they are teaching four periods in two grade levels, or can document prior experience at other grade levels otherwise candidates must complete four weeks in an alternate setting with a certified teacher.
• In a regionally (WASC) approved nonpublic school setting must complete a minimum of one course of the four-course sequence student teaching experience in a public school.
• Teach under the supervision of a University Supervisor and Supervising Teacher who model effective teaching, implement state-adopted academic core curriculum, mentor the candidate, and work with the University Supervisor.

Option for Student Teaching Out-of-State (Courtesy Placement)

Candidates who have completed their California credential program coursework who wish to do their student teaching in an area of residence outside of California.

Option for Non - California Residents to obtain a Preliminary Multiple or Single Subject Credential

Candidates interested in completing a California preliminary credential who wish to complete the entire program while holding residence outside of California. Only a limited number of candidates living outside of California may enroll in the teacher education program to complete their coursework online and their student teaching in their area of residence outside of California.

Requirements for Both Out-of-State Options

Permission to student teach outside of California must be obtained by submitting a Courtesy Placement Request to the Courtesy Placement/Out-of-State department. The Out-of-state Program Specialist will review the candidate’s eligibility requirements, and will interview the applicant to assess the candidate’s knowledge, skills and dispositions. Successful completion of the student teaching program requirements and an interview will determine the candidate’s eligibility for out-of-state or courtesy placement.
Candidates must meet all California program and testing requirements to be eligible for an out-of-state or courtesy placement.

Although National University makes every effort to find out-of state or courtesy placements, the University is unable to guarantee placement. Out-of-state requests are difficult to arrange because other states often have specific compliance requirements. Agreements between National University, a State Teaching Credential Office, Department of Defense (outside United States), and a cooperating university must be approved before placement is considered.

The school of choice must adhere to strict guidelines that correlate with California standards and practices, mirror a California public school setting, and serve diverse populations.

A signed contract must be obtained from the requested school district. These agency agreements are secured by the National University credential staff. After a district contract is approved, a University Supervisor is hired by NU and a Supervising Teacher is assigned by the district to supervise the candidate. It is not unusual for this process to take several months to complete.

In addition, some states will not allow out-of-state universities to place student teachers into their schools and will therefore require that the candidate enroll and pay for student teaching coursework at a local university. In these cases, the candidate must enroll and pay for National University student teaching coursework in addition to the local university’s courses.

Upon completion of student teaching and all other credential requirements, candidates will meet the requirements for a California Teaching Credential. If a candidate desires a credential for another state, the candidate must contact the appropriate state agencies and meet the specific state requirements before student teaching.

Please contact your Credential Program Specialist if you have additional questions about out-of-state clinical practice options.

RECOMMENDATION FOR A CALIFORNIA
CREDENTIAL

To be formally recommended for a California Teaching or Services Credential by National University all candidates must meet the following requirements:
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended on file at National University
• Undergraduate: Completed all requirements for the blended bachelor’s degree. (Completion must be verified by the
Registrar’s office and degree must be conferred)
• Undergraduate candidates must also have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA overall for their bachelor’s degree and a minimum 3.0 GPA for their major coursework
• Graduate: Proof of a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education (IHE) or an international degree of U.S. equivalence
• Completion of the specific program residency requirements
• Written evaluations of performance in field experiences, internships, educational projects, student teaching, and other practicum
• Successful completion of the credential coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. (Grades of “D”, “F” or “U” are not accepted)
• Fulfillment of all financial obligations to the University before applying for the credential; zero account balance
• A completed CTC credential application with valid credit card to pay for CTC online application fee
Note: Candidates must have access to Microsoft Office on either a PC or Mac platform. Since National University and the CTC regularly use e-mail to communicate with candidates, it is highly recommended that candidates do not use AOL, Earthlink, Roadrunner, FrontierNet, Comcast or school district e-mail addresses since these e-mails are regularly blocked from these accounts. An active Gmail, Yahoo! or Hotmail account is recommended instead.

Please see additional program specific requirements to be recommended for a California Credential.