Teacher Education Credential Programs Program Page

Teacher Education Credential Programs

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Multiple/Single Subject Teaching Credential 

Through the teacher credential programs at National University, the multiple subject teaching credential authorizes the holder to teach in a self-contained preK-12 classroom, or in classes organized primarily for adults. In addition, the holder of a multiple subject teaching credential may serve in a core or team teaching setting. The single subject teaching credential authorizes the holder to teach in departmentalized classes in any subject within his/her authorized fields in grades preK-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults. The SB2042 credentials carry with them an authorization to teach English Language Learners both in the general education classroom and in designated classes.

Admissions Requirements

To be fully admitted into a Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject Credential Program, each candidate must view the recorded credential orientation sent to his/her SOAR Student Message Center and return a completed credential packet to the Credentials Department within 30 days of enrollment.

A Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject Credential Packet is complete when the candidate had filled out and returned the following:

  • The Acknowledgement of Terms and Agreements
  • Request for Student Teaching Placement
  • Negative TB test results (valid within the last four years)
  • Proof of Fingerprint Clearance through the CTC
  • Initial Faculty Interview
  • Proof of attempt or passage of Basic Skills Assessment is required for admittance to the program (Proof of passage is mandatory prior to scheduling methods courses)
  • Proof of Subject Matter Competency may be shown by one of scenarios listed below (Proof of passage is mandatory prior to scheduling methods courses). The Multiple/Single Subject Credential programs admit only those candidates who meet one of the following criteria:
  1. The candidate provides evidence of registration for the next scheduled examination.
  2. The candidate provides evidence of having attempted the appropriate subject matter examination(s).
  3. The candidate provides evidence of having completed a Commission approved appropriate subject matter preparation program (Single Subject Candidates only).
  4. The candidate provides evidence of enrollment in an organized subject matter examination preparation program.

Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA)

All Multiple and Single Subject credential candidates are required to pass the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) mandated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The TPA is comprised of four Tasks to be completed by candidates throughout his/her program.

  • Task 1: Subject Specific pedagogy
  • Task 2: Designing Instruction
  • Task 3: Assessing Learning
  • Task 4: Culminating Teaching Experience

National University’s TPA program is housed in the online environment of Task-Stream. Candidates are required to purchase an account upon enrollment. It is recommended that a ($42) 1 year subscription be purchased. As a candidate progresses through the program coursework, he/she will be working independently on the TPA Tasks. Each completed task is anonymously scored by an assessor.

Upon submitting a task for scoring, the candidate’s student account will be charged a fee. Candidates who must resubmit a task will be required to pay the corresponding fee for each submission. Candidates who successfully complete all four TPA tasks will incur a total of $305 in submission fees and a TaskStream account fee.
TPA Fee Structure:

  • Task 1: $65
  • Task 2: $65
  • Task 3: $65
  • Task 4: $110*

*Task 4 requires a 20 minute unedited video of the candidate teaching a lesson

For additional information on the TPA Program at National University please visit the TPA Webpage: https://w.taskstream.com/ts/manager17/TPANU

Methods Prerequisites

In addition to meeting the admissions requirements, to be scheduled in methods courses (i.e. TED 621A, 621B, 623, 632, 633, 634, 635 & 636) candidates must show proof of the following:

  • Proof of a Basic Skills Assessment
  • Proof of Subject Matter Competency

Student Teaching Requirements

In addition to meeting the admissions and methods requirements, to be cleared to begin student teaching candidates must also complete and return the following 90 days prior to start date:

  • Student Teaching Placement Request Form
  • Passage of Teaching Performance Assessments (TPA) Tasks 1 & 2 (passing score is 3)
  • Graduate candidates must complete all credential courses (3.0 GPA Grades of “D”, “F” and “U” are not accepted)
  • Undergraduate candidates must also complete all program & credential courses
  • Possess a current account balance
  • Attend Screening Interview with a School of Education faculty member
  • Attend Student Teaching orientation

Eligible candidates with three or more years of accredited private school experience may be exempt from student teaching under SB 57. See a Credential Pro¬gram Specialist for details.

Eligible candidates with six or more years of accredited private school experience may apply directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) under SB 57 by submitting application form 41-4, fingerprint clearance materials, transcripts, other requested materials, and current applicable fees. Website: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/

Student Teaching Placement Information

Candidates will be placed by the University:

  • Under the supervision of a National University Support Provider and Site Support Provider(s)
  • In a supervised full-time student teaching assignment within the appropriate credential area, in two different teaching settings , in two different grade spans, for a minimum of 80 instructional days

At least one-half of student teaching, will be conducted in approved public, char¬ter, or private schools that implement state adopted core curriculum content standards within the state of California. Summer school, after-school programs, and outdoor education programs will be reviewed to determine if they meet criteria for a student teaching assignment. Court schools or community alternative schools may be acceptable placements for one-half of the student teaching experience.

Completion Requirements

In addition to meeting the admissions, methods and student teaching requirements; candidates must also complete and return the following prior to credential recommendation:

  • Pass all four Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) Tasks
  • U.S. Constitution requirement met by exam, transcript verifying completed U.S. Constitution coursework or CSU Bachelor’s degree
  • *Proof of passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) – Multiple Subject candidates only
  • CPR certification for Infant, Child, and Adult
  • All credential program coursework (3.0 GPA Grades of “D”, “F” and “U” are not accepted)
  • Possess a zero account balance

All test results must remain valid in order to apply for credential, except for negative TB test results.

Alternative Multiple / Single Subject Clinical Practice Routes

Student Teaching Under Contract Route

National University provides a program whereby actively employed teachers can complete the requirements for his/her 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 must be:

  • 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.
  • Under the supervision of a University Supervisor and Supervising Teacher who model effective teaching, implement state-adopted academic core curriculum, and mentor the candidate.
  • Teaching in an approved assignment that is a match for the credential sought.

Multiple / Single Subject University Internship

The University internship route provides an opportunity for candidates who have been offered employment to complete his/her clinical practice, while employed in an appropriate position as a Multiple or Single subject teacher of record. This experience is a partnership between the candidate, National University, and the employer meant to support the candidate in an environment similar to that authorized by the Preliminary credential obtained at the end of the program.

Candidates on probation or permanent academic probation are not eligible for a National University internship program. Once intern eligible, candidates must apply for an Internship Credential which is valid for two years.

Graduate level National University candidates who are interested in becoming a university intern must complete and show verification of all prerequisite requirements and go through the internship eligibility process to determine suitability for the internship program.

Prerequisite Requirements

  • Proof of Fingerprint Clearance through the CTC
  • Bachelor’s Degree on file
  • Passage of a Basic Skills Assessment
  • Proof of Subject Matter Competency
  • Completion of U.S. Constitution requirement met by exam, transcript verifying completed U.S. Constitution coursework or CSU Bachelor’s degree
  • Negative TB test (valid within the last four years)
  • 120 hours of pre-service met by coursework (3.0 GPA grades of “D” and “F” are not accepted)
  • Agreement on file between the employing District, School or Agency and National University
  • Maintain a current account balance

Eligibility Requirements

In addition to completion of all internship prerequisites, candidates are required to verify completion of the following Intern Eligibility:

  • Verification of internship program prerequisites
  • Internship candidate acknowledgement
  • District or agency offer of employment for the intern as a full time teacher of record in a setting appropriate for the credential being sought with a minimum of 20 instructional hours per week
  • Verification of intern eligibility determined in an interview by lead intern¬ship faculty

Internship Early Completion Option (ECO)

The Early Completion Internship Option is intended to provide candidates with requisite skills and knowledge an opportunity to challenge the academic course work portion of a Multiple or Single Subject Internship Program and demonstrate pedagogical skills through a performance assessment while in a University internship program. The Early Completion Internship Option (ECO) is available to candidates who have passed the appropriate National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK) exam.

ECO Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for the Early Completion Internship Option, candidates must:

For Multiple Subjects:

  • Complete all University Internship Prerequisite and Eligibility requirements except the 120 hours of pre-service met by coursework
  • Passage of the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK): Elementary (Test code 051) with minimum score of 220
  • *Passage of TPA Task 1: Subject Specific Pedagogy- Multiple Subject

For Single Subject:

  • Complete all University Internship Prerequisite and Eligibility requirements except the 120 hours of pre-service met by coursework
  • Passage of the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK): Secondary (Test code 052) with minimum score of 220
  • *Passage of TPA Task 1: Subject Specific Pedagogy- In the appropriate Single Subject area (must match subject matter competence)

ECO Completion Requirements

Candidates who have been granted the University internship credential and are eligible for the Early Completion Internship Option will need to complete the following in order to be recommended for a Preliminary credential:

  • Meet Education Technology requirement (EDX 1201X, or an equivalent course/exam)
  • Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) – Multiple Subject ONLY.
  • *Passage of the remaining three Teaching Performance Assessment Tasks: Task 2- Designing Instruction, Task 3-Assessing Learning, and Task 4- Culminating Teaching Experience within the first academic year of enrolling in the intern ECO route.

* If the candidate does not pass the TPA on the first attempt, he/she is no longer eligible to participate in the Early Completion Internship Option Program and must complete the full intern preparation program through an individualized professional development plan that emphasizes preparation in areas where additional growth is warranted and waives preparation in areas where the candidate has demonstrated competence.

Clear Multiple / Single Subject Credential Program

Individuals who were issued a Preliminary SB 2042 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with the renewal code R14I must complete a Commission-approved professional teacher induction program in order to obtain the clear teaching credential, unless the employing agency determines that an induction program is unavailable to the credential candidate. Under these circumstances, the applicant may complete a Commission-approved SB 2042 fifth year program.

Admissions Requirements

To be fully admitted into a Clear Multiple/Single Subject Credential Program, each candidate must return a completed credential packet (sent to his/her SOAR Student Message Center) to the Credentials Department within 30 days of enrollment.
A Clear Multiple/Single Subject Credential Packet is complete when the candidate has filled out and returned the following:

  • The Acknowledgement of Terms and Agreements
  • Verification of Unavailability of a Commission-Approved Induction Program (CL-855)
  • Shown proof of:
  1. Be contracted as a teacher of record in a CA PK-12 school or pre-approved long term substitute position.
  2. Hold a Preliminary SB2042 Credential
  3. Show proof of 45 (post-graduate) quarter units

Completion Requirements

In addition to meeting the admissions requirements; candidates must also complete and return the following prior to credential recommendation:

  • All credential program coursework (3.0 GPA Grades of “D”, “F” and “U” are not accepted)
  • Possess a zero account balance

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