California Teaching Credential Programs

The School of Education offers teaching credential programs for initial licensure in the following areas:

• 2042 Multiple Subject Credential Program with an English Learner Authorization
• 2042 Single Subject Credential Program with an English Learner Authorization
• Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)
• Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential: Extensive Support Needs (ESN)

 Admission Requirements

1. Application: Submit an application for admission to UMass Global.
2. Official Transcripts: Submit official transcripts showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. And submit official transcripts from any other institution where post baccalaureate work was attempted or completed.
   1. GPA for admission is calculated over the most recent 30 graded semester (45 quarter) credits completed either in the baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate program, including credits earned towards a credential.
3. Subject Matter Verification: All Single Subject, Multiple Subject, and Education Specialist candidates must acknowledge the subject matter competency note outlining all available options to demonstrate subject matter competence.

   4. Letter of Good Standing (if applicable): Applicants transferring from another institution’s credential program must submit a letter from that institution’s Education Department attesting to the applicant’s good standing in the program. The letter must be written on institutional letterhead by the Dean, department chair, director of teacher education, or other administrator in a similar position.

Items 1-3 above are required for all applicants; item 4 required only if applicable. Those with GPAs of 2.49 and below must meet additional requirements as noted below. Applicants may not enroll in credential coursework until successful completion of subject matter competency.

  5. Applicants with GPAs lower than 2.5 must be admitted through the alternative admission process. The applicant’s submission must include items 1-3 listed above and a statement/letter specifying the following: 

a. how they have addressed the circumstances surrounding the low GPA

b. what systems they have in place to be successful in graduate school

c. experience teaching and/or working with students

d. why they want to become a teacher 

Transfer Credit

Teacher preparation coursework from another institution does not automatically transfer. The transferability of coursework will be evaluated only after the student has been admitted to a credential program. 

1. The course(s) can be shown to be equivalent in content to the University of Massachusetts Global course(s);
2. Meets the University of Massachusetts Global graduate transfer credit policy;
3. Is approved by the Associate Dean.

Credential courses that are more than seven years old prior to application for the credential cannot be transferred into the program. 

Residency

A minimum of one-fourth of the total credential program units must be completed at University of Massachusetts Global. 

California Teacher Credential Program Requirements

Non-coursework Requirements for Credential

Subject Matter Competency

All applicants must demonstrate subject matter competency (SMC) either with verification of completion of a subject matter preparation program in the appropriate subject matter (Elementary, Single Subject, or Education Specialist candidates), verification of an official passing score report indicating passage of all subtests for the appropriate subject matter examination (CSET), approved academic degree major, coursework aligned to subject matter domains, or a combination of coursework and CSET scores. The Office of Credentials and Clinical Practice (OCCP) will verify all SMC submissions. Verification of any of these must be reflected in the candidate’s electronic file and be received prior to an application for an Internship Credential or Student Teaching. CSET subtests results can be no older than ten (10) years.  

Certificate of Clearance

Verification of a receipt of Certificate of Clearance or Certificate of Clearance (including fingerprints) or a copy of a valid credential or short-term permit must be submitted to the School of Education within the first session of enrollment. Candidates who do not submit verification of a Certificate of Clearance cannot advance in any credential coursework that requires observation or fieldwork in a K-12 setting. Anyone with a revoked credential will not be admitted to any credential program until the credential is reinstated by the CTC. A Certificate of Clearance or Child Development permit must be active prior to clinical practice.

Negative Tuberculosis Test

Candidates must submit to the School of Education, within the first session of enrollment, a current “negative” tuberculosis test that verifies the candidate does not have active tuberculosis or a tuberculosis risk assessment questionnaire administered by a licensed health care provider verifying that the candidate does not have risk factors for tuberculosis.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

All candidates must submit to the School of Education a valid CPR certification for pediatric and adult. The CPR certification must verify both categories and must be current and submitted prior to applying for any clinical practice. CPR certification must be valid and current when a candidate applies for their preliminary credential.

U.S. Constitution Requirement

All candidates must meet this requirement prior to applying for any clinical practice.  Candidates must meet this requirement in one of the following ways:

1. Passing score on a college-level exam on the U.S. Constitution from a regionally accredited college or university;
2. A two-semester credit college-level course from a regionally accredited institution with a grade of “C” or better; or
3. One of the following University of Massachusetts Global undergraduate courses:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   HISU 101	United States History Survey I	3
   HISU 358	United States History and Democracy	3
   LEST 304	Constitutional Governance	3
   POSU 110	Introduction to American Politics	3

Credential Support Hub

All credential candidates will be enrolled in the Credential Support Hub during their first term of enrollment. The purpose of the Hub is to support candidates with the completion of the non-coursework requirements for clinical practice. The Hub is a 0-credit course

School of Education Program Support Fee

A program support fee is assessed every enrolled session for students in the School of Education credential and degree programs. This fee supports essential services, tools, and coaching that enhance academic success through support systems. This fee directly supports the School of Education’s commitment to preparing highly effective educators and educational leaders through high-quality, student-centered programs. Please see Tuition and Fees section of this catalog for corresponding fee.

Clinical Practice Requirements – Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Education Specialist

Clinical practice experience can encompass a wide variety of activities that range from guided observations of veteran teachers modeling good practice in instruction, to beginning practice using various teaching strategies in diverse settings, to assuming full responsibility for students in the classroom, and demonstrating pedagogical competence. Candidates must complete at least 600 hours in clinical settings, for Education Specialist candidates 200 of the 600 hours must take place via early field experience. Early field experience hours are embedded into coursework. Candidates may choose to complete clinical practice in one of two ways, Student Teaching or Internship.

Advancement to Clinical Practice

Applications for clinical practice must be submitted online by the candidate through the Credential Support Hub by the established deadline date. Required coursework, subject matter competence, and all requirements listed above must be met prior to the application deadline.  Candidates also need to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and be a student in good standing.  

For information on internship eligibility and requirements please refer to the "internship" section below.

Student Teaching

1. Student Teaching in the Multiple and Single Subject programs consists of two eight-week sessions (400 hours) of full-day student teaching at two different grade levels that meet the cross-cultural criteria. For Education Specialists, student teaching shall consist of two eight-week sessions (400 hours) in the desired credential area. 
2. Student Teaching placements must be completed in a California public school with an approved setting and begin Fall 1 or Spring 1.
3. The Education Clinical Coordinator, not the student, will determine the student’s placement in Student Teaching. Placement requests are not permitted per CTC regulations.
4. Approved university personnel will supervise all student teachers.
5. Student Teaching placements in special education classrooms are not acceptable for the Single Subject or Multiple Subject Credentials. Summer school placements are not permitted.
6. For single subject candidates, the single subject methodology course must align with the subject matter competency route.

University of Massachusetts Global offers Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved Internship Credential Programs in Multiple Subject, Single Subject and Preliminary Education Specialist. The Internship Credential has the same legal status as the CTC Preliminary Credential, except that it is valid only in a specifically designated school district or consortium and is only valid for a maximum of 2 consecutive years. For this reason, interns must obtain an employment contract before an intern credential can be issued. The intern assumes full teaching and legal responsibility for their classroom from the first day of the teaching assignment as a paid employee of the School District. Each intern candidate must work under the direct and continuing supervision of a University of Massachusetts Global Supervisor and District Mentor who provides support at the classroom level in the cooperating school. The intern must be continuously enrolled in clinical practice courses or EDUU 588 Continued Intern Supervision until they have met all requirements to be recommended for the credential and be a student in good standing. To be eligible for a University of Massachusetts Global Internship Credential candidates must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA or above in credential program courses.     

Internship Admission Requirements

Candidates coming to the University of Massachusetts Global Internship program from another University must end their current internship credential with their previous university and complete the restriction change. 

To be admitted to an Internship Program at University of Massachusetts Global, an applicant must:    

1. Be admitted into a University of Massachusetts Global stand alone or MAT credential program for Multiple Subjects, Single Subjects, Education Specialist;

2. Meet with an Education Clinical Coordinator to obtain information about these internship credential options and eligibility;

3. Provide verification of subject matter competency (Multiple Subject, Single Subject Credential or Education Specialist programs);

4. Provide proof of meeting U.S. Constitution requirements;

5. Provide a copy of a negative T.B. clearance or TB Risk Assessment;

6. Provide an active Copy of a Certificate of Clearance or any active permit issued by the CTC to teach P-12 in a public school;

7. Complete program specific 120-hour pre-service requirements for Internship Credentials. Please meet with your Education Clinical Coordinator for pre-service course requirements;

8. Complete the Intern Eligibility Application which is found in the Credential Support Hub;

9. Submit a completed Verification of Employment (VOE) form to an Education Clinical Coordinator. The VOE form must be approved by the Education Clinical Coordinator. Once the VOE is approved, the student can be placed in class and will receive an email directing them to pay for their internship credential on CTC online. Payment must be received by CTC within 90 business days.

Requirements to Maintain Internship Credential 

Internship candidates must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be continuously enrolled in Clinical Practice courses. Candidates must maintain a log of hours documenting support/mentoring and supervision.

An intern who does not enroll in courses for two or more consecutive sessions may be ineligible for the intern credential. 

If a student’s employment is terminated by the district or the student, the student must contact the Education Clinical Coordinator immediately.

California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA)

Recommendation for Credential

Upon successfully completing and passing all credential, program and coursework requirements, the candidate may apply to be recommended to the CTC for the credential. For single subject candidates, the content specific methodology course must align with the subject matter competency route. To apply for the credential, candidates complete the Recommendation Form in the Credential Support Hub. Once the recommendation is made by the Office of Credentials and Clinical Practice (OCCP), candidates complete a CTC exit survey and submit the credential fee.