Admissions Policies and Procedures

Requirements for Admission to the program are based on California Commission on Teacher Credentialing admission standards, CSU Chancellor's Executive Orders, and the Single Subject Credential Program guidelines . Admission requirements are non-negotiable and must be met in full prior to admittance to the program.

Applicants begin the admissions process by seeking advisement prior to applying to the program. Advisement can be sought in the following ways:

  • Attend a Single Subject Credential Program Overview Meeting (mandatory).  
  • Meet with your Subject Area Coordinator (SAC).
  • Meet with the SSCP Admissions Director or SSCP Admissions Assistant.


It is the responsibility of the applicant to stay informed of application requirements and deadlines, as they may change periodically. It is advised that applicants check the   SSCP Admissions WebsiteOpens in new window   for updated requirements and deadlines every few months prior to application. Application deadlines are posted in the Admission Requirements document on the  SSCP Admissions Website .

Once application documents have been submitted, the documents are sent to the Subject Area Coordinators for evaluation. The application files are reviewed to determine if all admission requirements have been met, and to assess the professional dispositions of the applicant. If an applicant has met all admission requirements and passed the initial screening for disposition, they will be invited for an interview to further assess dispositions and subject area knowledge. If an applicant has not met the admission requirements and/or did not pass the initial screening for disposition they will be denied an interview and admission to the program.

The SSCP adheres to the principles in  Credential Program Committee Policy One. Applicants not demonstrating these characteristics will be denied admission to the program.

  • Dispositions are evaluated through multiple means including the contents of the narrative, faculty recommendations, participation in prerequisite courses, and personal interactions with faculty and staff through email, phone or in-person meetings. It is the right and privilege of the SAC to determine, in consultation with their admissions team, the appropriateness of the applicant's disposition to work with adolescents, K-12 administrators, teachers and parents, and SSCP program faculty. An applicant may be denied an interview and admission to the program based on dispositions.

Admission decisions are made by the Subject Area Coordinator in consultation with their admission team. Admission decisions will be sent to all applicants via email  directly from the SAC or from the Admissions Assistant.

In the case of a denial, the applicant has the right to re-apply. All application documents and decisions will remain in the applicant's file.

 

Admissions Decisions Appeals Process

The applicant has the right to appeal their admission decision. The appeals procedure is as follows:

  1. The applicant files a formal appeal with the Director of Admissions. In the event that the Director of Admissions was party to the admission decision, the appeal will be handled by the Director of the Single Subject Credential Program. The appeal must be made within 10 business days of issuance of the admission decision. Admissions Appeals formPDF File
  2. The Director assembles a team of three program faculty to serve on the appeals committee. The Director will serve as chair of the committee.
  3. The applicant's file is given to the committee for review.
  4. The committee may request a statement from both the applicant and the SAC. Both parties may submit any evidence (emails, documents, letters) that pertain to the application and evaluation process.
  5. The committee reviews the application file and all documents submitted by both parties to determine if the application and evaluation process was fair. The role of the committee is to evaluate the fairness and validity of the evaluation process only, not to override the admission decision.
  6. If the committee determines the process was fair, the admission decision stands.
  7. If the committee determines the process was unfair, the applicant's file will be returned to the SAC for re-evaluation.
  8. The Director will inform the applicant of the appeal decision.