California Preliminary Credential Program (Multiple and Single Subject)

California Preliminary Credential Program

The Graduate Program in Education offers a Preliminary Credential Program and a Master of Arts Program. Eligible students may apply their credential course work toward a subsequent Master of Arts in Education. Declaration of pursuing the M.A. in Education with a Preliminary Credential must be made upon application into the program; otherwise, the student must reapply to continue in the M.A. program.

Grade Requirements for Credential Coursework

See Program Grade Requirements.

Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)

Credential requirements may change at any time during a student’s program based on legislative action by the CTC. According to CTC regulations, the institution has an obligation to public schools to deny admission and to dismiss candidates who are deemed, unsuitable teachers.

Undergraduate Integrated Teaching Credential Programs (ITEP)

Additional Credential Program Requirements

  • Certificate of Clearance or Substitute Teaching Permit Verification: An application for fingerprint clearance must be submitted prior to beginning student teaching. A fee is required for the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Clearance process.
  • TB Test Clearance: Must be submitted prior to beginning the credential coursework.
  • Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) for Multiple Subject candidates. All students pursuing a multiple subject teaching credential must pass the RICA exam or Literacy Performance Assessment (LPA) prior to applying for the credential. This exam is normally taken after completion of the reading courses.
  • Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate. 
  • U.S. Constitution: met by POLS 155C at VU, equivalent or by test.

Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)

The Basic Skills Requirement may be satisfied in a variety of ways, as explained on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Web site here: Basic Skills Requirement

1. Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)

2. Pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) Multiple Subjects plus Writing Skills examination

3. Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement examinations

4. Achieve qualifying score on the SAT or ACT

      SAT – Mathematics score 550 or above and Critical Reading score of 500 or above

      ACT – Mathematics score of 23 or above and English score of 22 or above

5. Achieve qualifying score on College Board Advanced Placement (AP) examinations

      Scores of 3 or above in AP English and AP Calculus or AP Statistics

6. Pass a Basic Skills examination from another state

      Further information here: Out-of-State BSR

7. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by coursework

      Further information here: BSR Options

8. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement by coursework and examination

      Further information here: BSR Options

Subject Matter Competency Requirement (SMR)

The Subject Matter Competency Requirement may be satisfied in a variety of ways, as explained on the (CTC) Web site here: Subject Matter Requirement

1. Completion of a CTC approved Subject Matter Preparation Program

Vanguard University offers Subject Matter Preparation Programs in: English, Mathematics, and Music; and an Elementary Subject Matter Preparation Program through the Liberal Studies undergraduate program.

2. Passage of California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET).

3. Completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in the same content area as the desired credential.

4. Completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the subject matter domains adopted by the CTC in the specific credential content area. Access the Domain information here: CTC Domains

Provisional Status

A student who otherwise meets admission requirements, but has not passed the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), may be considered for provisional status to the Program on a case-by-case basis.  The student recognizes that the CSET must be passed before beginning the Early Supervised Fieldwork semester. If the student does not provide evidence of passing the required tests by May 1 for the fall semester or November 1 for the spring semester, the student must enroll in the 3-semester credential plan (Disclaimer: Provisional status students accepted under SB820 may continue to Early Supervised Fieldwork semester without passing the CSET.  SB820 also postpones RICA and CalTPA assessments required for the preliminary credential until August 31, 2021). 

Clinical Practice Fieldwork

Clinical Practice Fieldwork is a full-time teaching experience at a school site. Candidates will teach 5 days per week, 6 hours per day. Credential candidates must complete a continuous clinical practice experience in a multicultural, multilingual environment. All assignments must be completed under the supervision of a credentialed Master Teacher in the subject matter area that will appear on the student’s credential. A University Supervisor will be assigned to each Student Teacher for supervision and support. 

Clinical Practice placements will be made by the department in local partner schools that satisfy EL Authorization requirements. Candidates cannot be placed at a school where their own children currently attend, or where their relatives are employed. Placement outside a 12-mile radius of the Vanguard University campus requires a payment of $150 to cover additional mileage for the University Supervisor. Students with 3 or more years of full-time continuous private or public school experience in the appropriate credential area may be eligible for a modification of the length of student teaching. See the Student Teaching Coordinator for additional information.

  • CalTPA (California Teaching Performance Assessment)
    • Cycle 1 taken during the Early Supervised Fieldwork (BST) semester.  
    • Cycle 2 taken during the Clinical Practice Fieldwork (AST) semester.

CTC requirements for the Clear Credential

Following issuance of the Preliminary Credential, a candidate will complete the Clear Credential requirements through an induction program offered through the school district in which they are employed, or through an alternative program sponsor.

  1. Candidates build on prior knowledge, life experiences, and interests to engage and support all students in learning.
  2. Candidates create and maintain effective environments for learning by engaging all students in purposeful learning activities.
  3. Candidates possess a clear understanding of subject matter and organize instruction for student learning.
  4. Candidates plan instruction and design learning experiences for all students that draws upon and values each student’s background, prior knowledge and interests.
  5. Candidates assess student learning by establishing and clearly communicating learning goals for each student.
  6. Candidates reflect on their teaching practice and actively engage in planning their professional development.

MULTIPLE SUBJECT PRELIMINARY CREDENTIAL

EDUG-508Language and Culture in Context 12
EDUG-509Foundations in Teaching for Multiple Subject2
EDUG-519English Language Arts in Elementary Classrooms3
EDUG-523Instructional Design and Subject Specific Pedagogy for Multiple Subject4
EDUG-525Early Supervised Fieldwork For Multiple Subject4
EDUG-527CalTPA Cycle 10.5
EDUG-528CalTPA Cycle 20.5
EDUG-537Curriculum Unit Planning for Multiple Subject2
EDUG-586Clinical Practice Seminar for Multiple Subject2
EDUG-587Clinical Practice Fieldwork For Multiple Subject8
Total Units28
1

EDUG-508 Language and Culture in Context: may be satisfied by the Undergraduate course – ENGL-453 Language, Culture, and Linguistics

SINGLE SUBJECT PRELIMINARY CREDENTIAL 

EDUG-508Language and Culture in Context 12
EDUG-524Foundations in Teaching for Single Subject2
EDUG-526Instructional Design and Subject Specific Pedagogy for Single Subject4
EDUG-527CalTPA Cycle 10.5
EDUG-528CalTPA Cycle 20.5
EDUG-534Curriculum Unit Planning for Single Subject2
EDUG-535Early Supervised Fieldwork for Single Subject4
EDUG-544Language Acquisition for Secondary Students1
EDUG-548Metacognition/Reading Strategies For Secondary Students1
EDUG-551Literacy in Content Areas For Secondary Students1
EDUG-588Clinical Practice Seminar for Single Subject2
EDUG-589Clinical Practice Fieldwork for Single Subject8
Total Units28
1

EDUG-508 Language and Culture in Context: may be satisfied by the Undergraduate course – ENGL-453 Language, Culture, and Linguistics

MULTIPLE SUBJECT: TWO SEMESTER (ACCELERATED) SEQUENCE FOR THE PRELIMINARY CREDENTIAL

First Semester15.5
EDUG-508
Language and Culture in Context 1
EDUG-509
Foundations in Teaching for Multiple Subject
EDUG-519
English Language Arts in Elementary Classrooms
EDUG-523
Instructional Design and Subject Specific Pedagogy for Multiple Subject
EDUG-525
Early Supervised Fieldwork For Multiple Subject
EDUG-527
CalTPA Cycle 1
Second Semester12.5
EDUG-537
Curriculum Unit Planning for Multiple Subject
EDUG-586
Clinical Practice Seminar for Multiple Subject
EDUG-587
Clinical Practice Fieldwork For Multiple Subject
EDUG-528
CalTPA Cycle 2
Total Units28

MULTIPLE SUBJECT: THREE SEMESTER SEQUENCE FOR THE PRELIMINARY CREDENTIAL 

First Semester7
EDUG-508
Language and Culture in Context 1
EDUG-509
Foundations in Teaching for Multiple Subject
EDUG-519
English Language Arts in Elementary Classrooms
Second Semester8.5
EDUG-523
Instructional Design and Subject Specific Pedagogy for Multiple Subject
EDUG-525
Early Supervised Fieldwork For Multiple Subject
EDUG-527
CalTPA Cycle 1
Third Semester12.5
EDUG-537
Curriculum Unit Planning for Multiple Subject
EDUG-586
Clinical Practice Seminar for Multiple Subject
EDUG-587
Clinical Practice Fieldwork For Multiple Subject
EDUG-528
CalTPA Cycle 2
Total Units28

SINGLE SUBJECT: TWO SEMESTER (ACCELERATED) SEQUENCE FOR THE PRELIMINARY CREDENTIAL

First Semester15.5
EDUG-508
Language and Culture in Context 1
EDUG-524
Foundations in Teaching for Single Subject
EDUG-526
Instructional Design and Subject Specific Pedagogy for Single Subject
EDUG-535
Early Supervised Fieldwork for Single Subject
EDUG-544
Language Acquisition for Secondary Students
EDUG-548
Metacognition/Reading Strategies For Secondary Students
EDUG-551
Literacy in Content Areas For Secondary Students
EDUG-527
CalTPA Cycle 1
Second Semester12.5
EDUG-534
Curriculum Unit Planning for Single Subject
EDUG-588
Clinical Practice Seminar for Single Subject
EDUG-589
Clinical Practice Fieldwork for Single Subject
EDUG-528
CalTPA Cycle 2
Total Units28

SINGLE SUBJECT: THREE SEMESTER SEQUENCE FOR THE PRELIMINARY CREDENTIAL 

First Semester7
EDUG-508
Language and Culture in Context 1
EDUG-524
Foundations in Teaching for Single Subject
EDUG-544
Language Acquisition for Secondary Students
EDUG-548
Metacognition/Reading Strategies For Secondary Students
EDUG-551
Literacy in Content Areas For Secondary Students
Second Semester8.5
EDUG-526
Instructional Design and Subject Specific Pedagogy for Single Subject
EDUG-535
Early Supervised Fieldwork for Single Subject
EDUG-527
CalTPA Cycle 1
Third Semester12.5
EDUG-534
Curriculum Unit Planning for Single Subject
EDUG-588
Clinical Practice Seminar for Single Subject
EDUG-589
Clinical Practice Fieldwork for Single Subject
EDUG-528
CalTPA Cycle 2
Total Units28
1

EDUG-508 Language and Culture in Context may be satisfied by the undergraduate course ENGL-453 Language, Culture, and Linguistics.