Frequently Asked Questions

Pritable Version

• General
• Certificate of Clearance
• Single Subject
• Multiple Subject Credential
• Special Education
• Test Information

General

Q. What is the Credential Program  aka Teacher Education Program aka Fifth Year Program?

All three terms are often used interchangeably. A credential program is designed to develop expertise in the skills of teaching. Students learn such skills as classroom management, lesson planning, and curriculum development and a variety of methods for teaching different kinds of learners at varying ages. Usually, but not necessarily, students begin the credential program after earning the bachelor's degree thus the reference to a "Fifth Year Program." Students are usually ready to apply for the teaching credential at the end of the program.

Q. What is the first step to entering the  credential program?

Attending an overview for the credential program you're interested in.

Q. What is an overview?

An overview is an hour-long summary of the credential program. It will go over the prerequisites, a break down of the part-time, full-time semesters and intern programs, and the difference between CLAD and BCLAD. There is also a question and answer session at the end of each review. For future overview dates please visit the website: http://ed.fullerton.edu/adtep/overviews.htm or call (714) 278-3412.

Q. Is there a cost applying to the credential programs?

Yes, there is a one time Processing Fee of $50.00 that can be paid at the Cashier's Office at the CSUF or Irvine Campus or online at http://ed.fullerton.edu/adtep/CSUFAppProcess.htm. Proof of payment should be brought to the Admission to Teacher Education office in CP 540 with your application and the minimum requirements.

Q. What types of credentials are offered at Cal  State Fullerton?

• Multiple Subject Credential
• Single Subject Credential
• Special Education Credential
• Administrative Services
• Reading and Languages Arts Specialist
• Clinical or Rehabilitative Services
• Language, Speech, and Hearing (including Special Class Authorization) – Contact the Department of Speech Communication at (714) 278-3260 (CP 430-20).

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Certificate of Clearance

Q. What is a Certificate of  Clearance?

A Certificate of Clearance is a document issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) verifying that the holder meets the personal identification and health qualifications necessary to obtain a California teaching or service credential.

Q. When should I apply for the Certificate of Clearance?

You should apply online prior to applying to the credential program and do the live scan at CSUF police department. The Certificate of Clearance must be issued to you by CCTC prior to your first day of student teaching. Online application: http://ed.fullerton.edu/adtep/certclear.htm.

Q. What is the cost of the Certificate of Clearance

The total cost is $97.50, depending on the fingerprint agency's fee. This amount is broken down into a fee to the fingerprint agency and an application fee to CCTC.

Q. How long does the Certificate of Clearance Certification take?

It will take 10-12 days to receive fingerprint clearance once you completed the live scan and the online application.

Q. Who can request a waiver to the Certificate of Clearance?

An individual who holds an emergency substitute teaching permit or has applied for a Certificate of Clearance prior to entering our program through another school district or institution of higher education. However, they must submit a copy of their emergency permit or application along with the waiver portion of the Certificate of Clearance application.

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Single Subject

Q. What is a Single Subject Credential?

This is the credential needed to teach at the middle school or high school level (grades 7-12). One can think of it as a license or certification to teach. The term "single" refers to the fact that the person holding this credential has specialized in a particular subject. Most junior high school teachers hold single subject credentials, but it is possible to teach single subject in grades 7th through 9th with a basic multiple subject credential and an added authorization in the subject to be taught.

Q. What are the prerequisites for the Single Subject Credential Program?

Please visit the website: http://ed.fullerton.edu/adtep for Single Subject department requirements.

Q. Who do I contact for information for CLAD and BCLAD?

Please contact Grace Cho at (714) 278-3283 or via email at gcho©fullerton.edu

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Multiple Subject Credential

Q. What is the Multiple Subject Credential?

This is the credential needed to teach elementary school (grades K-6). One can think of it as a license or certification to teach. The term "multiple" refers to the many subjects taught by one teacher in the typical elementary classroom.

Q. What is the difference between a two semester and three semester block?

A two semester block meets during the day (8:00am-5:00pm) while the three semester blocks meet late afternoons and occasionally on Saturdays.

Q. What are the prerequisites for the Multiple Subject Credential Program?

Please visit our website at http://ed.fullerton.edu/adtep for Multiple Subject department requirements.

Q. What is the difference between CLAD and BCLAD?

For information about the differences between CLAD and BCLAD, please visit the website at: http://ed.fullerton.edu/ElEd/CLAD_certificate.html for CLAD and http://ed.fullerton.edu/edel/BCLAD.html for BCLAD.

Q Who do I contact for CLAD information?

Please contact Dr. Evelyn Weisman at (714) 278-3182 or via email eweisman@fullerton.edu.

Q. Who do I contact for BCLAD information?

Please contact Dr. Evelyn Weisman at (714) 278-3182 or via email eweisman@fullerton.edu.

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Special Education

Q. What is the Special Education Credential?

This is the credential needed to teach children with heterogeneous special needs. The person holding this credential may work with elementary, junior high, or high school students. Those with Early Childhood Special Education Credential would teach children who are (0-5 years old).

Q. What are the prerequisites for the Special Education Credential Program?

Please visit our website at http://ed.fullerton.edu/adtep for Special Education department requirements.

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Test Information

Q. What tests are required to be taken prior to entering the credential program?

The Multiple Subject Credential Program requires the CBEST, CSET, and Constitution Test if a political science class has not been taken or does not meet the requirement. The Single Subject Credential Program requires the CBEST, SSAT/Praxis/CSET or Completion of Subject Matter Preparation Program, and the Constitution Test if a political science class has not been taken or does not meet the requirement. The Special Education Credential Program requires the CBEST, CSET, and Constitution Test if a political science class has not been taken or does not meet the requirement.

Q. What is the CSET?

The California Subject Examinations for Teachers include both constructed-response and multiple-choice questions. The content of the exams reflects the subject matter knowledge required to teach in California. For further information visit the website at www.cset.nesinc.com or call (916) 928-4003.

Q. What is the CBEST?

The California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) was developed to meet requirements of laws relating to credentialing and employment. California Education Code 44252 specifies that candidates must demonstrate proficiency in basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills, in English, by passing the CBEST. For further visit the website at www.cbest.nesinc.com.

Q. What are the Constitution exam and/or State Government Test?

It is a test that measures the knowledge of an individual may have regarding the U.S. Constitution. It consists of 75 "objective type" questions. To pass, an individual needs to answer 50 correctly. For more information contact the Credentials Office at (714) 278-3205 or the Admission to Teacher Education office (714) 278-3352 for a list of testing sites.

Q. What is the RICA?

The RICA is a reading instruction competence assessment test. The purpose of the RICA is to ensure that candidates for multiple subject teaching credentials and education specialist instruction credentials (special education) possess the knowledge and skills important for the provision of effective reading instruction to students. This exam is taken after the first semester is completed in the credential program. For further information visit the website: www.ctcexams.nesinc.com click on "Rica."

Q. How can l prepare for  theses exams?

• Preparation courses are offered through University Extended Education for Multiple Subject only which is located in CP 100.
• Cliff notes are available for the CBEST.
• Read the following book: What Every 5th and 6th Grader Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch.
• Practice on the tutorials on the computers located in the library.
• Suggested reading for the Constitution exam are as follows:
  • Constitution of the U.S., an Introduction by Floyd Cullop, and
  • 25 Lessons in Citizenship, by Hennessey.
• Single Subject applicants should access OCDE's website for CSET test preparation: http://ite.ocde.us/

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