Teacher Credentialing Preparation Program
36 Semester Credits/ 3 Semesters/12 Months
*Bilingual Authorization 9 Credits/1 Additional Semester/4 Additional Months
The Teacher Credentialing Preparation Program (TCPP) at USU is the key step toward a career as a TK-6 or 7-12 teacher. Students interested in teaching at the K-6 school level in the State of California must have completed a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited university, have passed the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) and have the capacity to pass the California Subjects Examination for Teachers (CSET), or have completed a commission-approved elementary subject-matter program. Students interested in teaching at the 7-12 school level must have completed a bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the appropriate subject-matter examination (CSET), such as English, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, World Languages (Spanish), or have completed a commission-approved subject-matter program.
The College of Education offers the following Teacher Credentialing programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC):
- 2042 Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential
- 2042 Single Subject Preliminary Credential
- Bilingual Authorization (Spanish/English)
Teacher Performance Expectations
By the end of the Teacher Credentialing Preparation Program candidates will learn, apply and reflect upon the following Teaching Performance Expectations (TPE’s):
TPE 1: Engaging and Supporting All Students in Learning
TPE 2: Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning
TPE 3: Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for Student Learning
TPE 4: Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for All Students
TPE 5: Assessing Student Learning
TPE 6: Developing as a Professional Educator
Program Learning Outcomes
- Find and evaluate appropriate information and content for the classroom.
- Practice cultural proficiency, including differentiation of instruction, in school settings.
- Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that promote student learning.
- Write effectively in communicating and planning for your classroom.
- Perform effectively in the classroom.
- Work effectively with others to improve student outcomes.
- Interpret student performance data to improve teaching practice.
- Apply strategies and theories to respond ethically to the changing demographics of the California classroom.
- Objectively analyze and evaluate student performance in order to improve teaching practice.
Student Teaching Requirements
- Completed and passed the CSET for the credential being sought.
- CPR Certification
- Required observation hours completed
- Complete 600 hours of full-time student teaching in an approved classroom(s) over 2 eight-week sessions regardless of holidays or vacation days
- Students are advised not to work during their student teaching experience as it is a full-time commitment requiring 40 plus hours each week
- Substitute teaching and non-sequential or unapproved placements may not be counted towards the 600 hours of required practicum
- Students may be required to travel to distant school sites as assigned- specific school schedule requests or school sites may or may not be accommodated
- In order to progress to the second student teaching session a minimum of 1 edTPA task must be completed
Program Completion Requirements
- Complete program with a Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above
- Passed edTPA Tasks*
- Passed the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (Multiple Subjects only)
- Passed the CSET (all sections)
- Professional Teaching Portfolio
- Exit interview
- Exit survey
Teacher Credentialing and Licensure
Per the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) all students must meet the specific requirements in effect at the time of candidate application for credential. While the United States University program prepares California teacher candidates it does not guarantee teacher licensure. All credential candidates are encouraged to check the commission requirement page on a regular basis as requirements may change. https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl560c.pdf?sfvrsn=8db75dfc_16
In order to be recommended to the California Teaching Commission for a Multiple Subject Credential or a Single Subject Credential, candidates must complete the following requirements:
Multiple Subject Credential
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Satisfy the basic skills requirement (Passage of the CBEST exam)
- Achieve a passing score on required subject matter exams (CSET).
- Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
- Complete a course in the provisions and principles of the US Constitution.
- Complete a Commission-approved multiple subject or Single Subject teacher preparation program
- Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.
Single Subject Credential
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Satisfy the basic skills requirement (Passage of the CBEST exam)
- Verify subject matter competence by ONE of the following:
- Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject-matter examination(s).(CSET)
- Complete a Commission-approved subject matter program. (not available at USU)
- For Specialized Science subjects only, individuals may take and pass the appropriate subject matter examinations or obtain verification of completion of subject-matter course work from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
- Complete a course in the provisions and principles of the US Constitution.
- Complete a Commission-approved teacher preparation program.
- Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.
Curriculum Requirements
Requirements Single Subject Credential
| Core Requirements |
15 Credits |
| Single Subject Core Courses |
9 Credits |
| Single Subject Clinical Practice |
12 Credits |
| Bilingual Authorization** |
9 Credits |
Requirements Multiple Subject Credential
| Core Requirements |
15 Credits |
| Multiple Subject Core Courses |
9 Credits |
| Multiple Subject Clinical Practice |
12 Credits |
| Bilingual Authorization** |
9 Credits |
Core Requirements
| EDU501 | Affirming and Valuing Diversity in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU503 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDU504 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDU510 | Introduction to Classroom Instruction | 3 |
| EDU525 | English Language Developmental Strategies for English Language Learners | 3 |
Single Subject Credential Requirements
| EDU540 | Secondary Teaching Strategies I | 3 |
| EDU541 | Secondary Teaching Strategies II | 3 |
| EDU542 | Reading in the Content Area | 3 |
| EDU565 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I | 5 |
| EDU562 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU567 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II | 5 |
| EDU564 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar II | 1 |
Multiple Subject Credential Requirements
| EDU534 | Curriculum and Instruction I | 3 |
| EDU535 | Curriculum and Instruction II | 3 |
| EDU536 | Language Arts and Reading K-6 | 3 |
| EDU561 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I | 5 |
| EDU562 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU563 | Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II | 5 |
| EDU564 | Directed Student Teaching Seminar II | 1 |
Optional Addition - Bilingual Authorization
| EDU522 | First and Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| EDU580 | Latinos in the United States | 3 |
| EDU581 | Desarollo del Lenguaje y Lectura | 3 |