MSCP Application Requirements

Application Checklist

5/2/25 Change in Recommendation Requirements for Spring 2026 applicants- see Item #10 below

On June 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed a budget trailer bill, SB 153 (Chap. 38, Statutes of 2024), that allow candidates to use their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as demonstration of the basic skills requirement, effective immediately.  You can read more about this update HERE

The following documents must be submitted before an application is considered complete. Only complete files are reviewed for admission into the program.

1. BEFORE YOU APPLY:  Complete prerequisite classes .  You can view prerequisite information on our Admissions webpage under Application Process table.
2. Official transcripts are required from every college and university attended (including community colleges) and must be opened and uploaded into your application.   Non-CSUF students must also send an additional set of official transcripts to the CSUF Office of Admissions . If you attended CSUF as an undergraduate student, the Office of Admissions will have those transcripts on file.
3. Accredited Degree   – You must have a Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited university. The university must be accredited during the years in which you earned your degree. Please see resources below for checking your degree:
   1. Check your college/university accreditation status.
   2. Check to see if the CTC accepts this accrediting body.
   3. Degrees completed outside of U.S. For applicants who obtained a bachelor's degree outside of the United States, please review guidelines regarding CTC Foreign Transcript Evaluation (CL-635).
4. Certificate of Clearance or 30-Day Sub Permit.   Applicants must upload evidence of Certificate of Clearance (COC) with their application.  You can apply for a Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).  This document will be emailed to you after you submit an application to CTC, pay a fee, and complete a DOJ and FBI background check.  To apply, go to CTC's instructions , "Select Online Process" - select "Apply for Fingerprint Clearance (COC and ASCC)." You can also view a YouTube video
5. Negative TB test results , which can include a TB skin test, risk assessment questionnaire, or chest x-ray. The document must show your name and the date the test was read. TB test must be completed in the US only. Test results are valid for 4 years and must remain valid throughout the program. If you have previously tested positive, you must complete the Risk Assessment Questionnaire
6. Proof of overview attendance via a screenshot of the follow-up email received after attending the overview. 
7. Program application fee receipt, which is separate from the Cal State Apply fee. The program application fee can be paid here. 
8. Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)- As of 6/29/24, a Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education meets this requirement.  For more information, please visit Basic Skills Requirement information.  
9. Subject Matter Requirement (SMR)- You must submit documentation that verifies that you have the demonstrated subject matter competence to teach multiple subjects. There are different ways you can meet this requirement. For more information, please visit the Subject Matter Information page .  
10. Three Recommendations (2 faculty, 1 child/youth experience) are required for both the credential only and combined program. View a YouTube tutorial.  Applicants must provide recommenders' names and contact information in the CSU Apply portal.  CSU Apply will send recommenders a link to a form that they must complete.  Credential only applicants: Applicants applying to the credential only program who have graduated over 4 years prior to the term they intend to begin the program are eligible to have a recommendation completed by an alternative to faculty, such as a supervisor or employer.  Combined applicants: Applicants applying to the combined program must submit two faculty recommendations and 1 child/youth recommendation. 
11. CPR certification that includes Child/Infant (Pediatric) and adult modules and meets the criteria of the American Heart Association (AHA) or the American Red Cross (ARC). CPR in-person or online are allowed. CPR online must  follow the guidelines set by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association in order to be acceptable. CPR certification must remain valid until completion of the program. Here is more CPR info with location options. 
12. Proof of U.S. Constitution completion, whether through a passed college course with a C or higher, AP Government or U.S. History exam, or the U.S. Constitution exam. Graduation from a CSU fulfills this requirement. Non-CSU students may need to fulfill this requirement on their own. Here is more information on taking the U.S. Constitution exam. 
13. GPA – For Credential-only, GPA must be at least 2.5 cumulative or 2.75 in the last 60 semester units attempted.  For Combined applicants, minimum GPA is 3.0. The application review process allows us to consider experiences, attributes and other academic metrics as well as the value an applicant would contribute to learning and teaching. 
14. JEIE Admission Statement, which needs to be 2-3 double space pages in length and be in response to one of these prompts . You can find more information about JEIE here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After all required documents have been uploaded to Q4, the application is ready to be submitted. You will pay the $70 Cal State Apply fee upon submission of your application.