Cal State Fullerton Multiple Subject Credential and Combined MS Programs Study Guide

Program Overview and Delivery Mode

• Start and End Cycles: If a student begins the program in the Spring, they will conclude the following Fall.
• Instructional Format: Classes are held in person with hybrid options.     * The program is not offered fully online.     * Students must be physically present at the Cal State Fullerton campus.     * Some individual classes may meet online during specific weeks, but this does not apply to the entire program.     * Students must remain available for in-person meetings throughout the duration of their studies.

Multiple Subject Credential Program Structure

• Semester Division: Semesters are split into two distinct parts.     * Part One: Students attend classes on campus for approximately $2.5$ days per week and perform fieldwork at a school site for $1$ day per week.     * Part Two: The final weeks of the semester consist of full-time student teaching at a school site.
• Time Commitment: The program is a full-time commitment. The specific distribution of time varies depending on whether a student is in their first or last semester.
• Weekly Schedule Example (Fall Semester):     * Blue Blocks: Time spent on campus for classes ($2.5$ days).     * Red Blocks: Full day of fieldwork at a assigned school site ($1$ day).     * Green Blocks: One day per week with no scheduled classes or fieldwork.     * Evening Options: While most classes meet during the day in traditional blocks, the Fall program includes one block that meets in the evenings.
• The Student Teaching Phase:     * First Semester Duration: The last $5$ weeks of the first semester are dedicated to full-time student teaching.     * Last Semester Duration: The student teaching phase in the final semester lasts for $8$ weeks.     * Reporting Requirements: Students report directly to their school site rather than Cal State Fullerton.     * Professional Expectations: Students act as apprentices to a mentor teacher.     * Daily Schedule: Students must follow the mentor teacher's schedule exactly, arriving early to set up the classroom and staying after school ends to organize for the following day.

Combined Master’s and Credential Program

• Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. This is the only master's degree offered through this specific combined program.
• Program Duration: This is a four-semester ($4$ term) commitment.
• Eligibility/Start Date: This program is only offered as a Fall start. The sequence is Fall, Spring, Summer, and the final Fall.
• Workload: The program consists of a $60$-unit workload.
• Pedagogical Focus: The program emphasizes reading, research, and writing, with a heavy emphasis on scholarly research.     * Example Comparison: While the standard credential program might focus on organizing a Science unit on life science, the graduate program investigates "cooperative learning strategies" and their effects on science education.     * Literature Reviews: Students learn to identify and analyze scholarly articles to produce a literature review and draw conclusions on educational topics.
• Combined Program Term Structure:     * First and Last Semesters: Structured similarly to the credential-only program (classes on campus plus fieldwork, followed by full-time student teaching).     * Second Semester: Dedicated to graduate-level classes only. Students take $5$ classes. No fieldwork is required during this term. Classes are hybrid or asynchronous online, with some evening options.     * Third Semester (Summer): This is the only term where classes are fully online ($3$ classes). No fieldwork is required.

Fieldwork and Student Teaching Placements

• Definitions:     * Fieldwork: The $1$ day per week spent at a school during the first part of a semester.     * Student Teaching: The full-time (Monday through Friday) commitment during the latter part of the semester.
• Placements: Students receive two different placements at two different grade levels across their first and last semesters.
• Hours: Student teaching hours vary by school schedule but generally range from $7:00\,\text{AM}$ to $4:00\,\text{PM}$.
• Location Policy: Placements are made within a $25$-mile radius of Cal State Fullerton or the student's home ZIP code.
• District Partnerships: The network includes districts such as Corona Norco, Ontario, Hacienda La Puente, LA Unified, Pico Rivera, and various districts in Orange County.
• Placement Survey: Sent to applicants after an initial review of the application. This allows students to share district preferences or existing relationships with districts. Final placement decisions are made by the Placement Office.

Added Authorizations and Recruitment Projects

• Bilingual Authorization: Allows candidates to teach in dual-immersion or bilingual classrooms.     * Available in five languages (including Spanish).     * Requires additional coursework after formal admission to the credential program.     * Interested students should contact the Bilingual Authorization Coordinator.
• Teacher Recruitment Project (TRP): Supports candidates pursuing a foundational-level math or science credential.     * Enables teaching at high school or middle school levels.     * Requires additional CSET exams and coursework.     * TRP offers regular workshops and interest surveys.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

• Two Admissions "Houses":     * Office of Admissions (Blue Flag): Manages university-wide requirements.     * Multiple Subject Credential Program Department (Orange Flag): Manages department-specific requirements.
• GPA Requirements:     * Credential Only: Minimum $2.5$ cumulative GPA or $2.75$ in the last $60$ units.     * Combined Program: Minimum $3.0$ cumulative GPA due to higher competitiveness.
• Degree Requirement: A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution (e.g., CSU, UC, or other US schools) is required.     * International Students: Require a foreign transcript evaluation.
• Prerequisite Courses: Four specific courses must be completed (or in progress) before starting the program:     1. Human Development (Examples: CAS $101$, CAS $312$, CAS $315$, or PSYCH $361$).     2. Introduction to Elementary Teaching.     3. Cultural Pluralism in Elementary Schools.     4. College of Education Ethnic Studies.
• Prerequisite Standards:     * Must be taken for a letter grade of $C-$ or higher (Exception: Ethnic Studies allows Credit/Pass).     * Must have been taken less than $10$ years prior to the application date.     * Can be taken at CSUF (via Open University for non-students) or local community colleges.     * Proof of "In Progress" (WIP) status is required on transcripts at the time of application if not yet completed.
• Petitioning for Equivalencies: If a course is not on the approved list, students can submit a petition form including a syllabus and transcript. Review takes $4$ to $6$ weeks.

Application Timelines and Procedures

• Important Distinction: The deadlines listed on the Cal State Apply portal are general university deadlines. Students MUST follow the Department deadlines for priority admission.
• Fall Admission Timelines (Rolling Admissions):     * Application Opens: August $1$.     * Deadline 1: November $30$ (Decision by February).     * Deadline 2: January $31$ (Decision by March).     * Deadline 3: February $28$ (Final deadline).
• Spring Admission Timelines:     * Application Opens: July $1$.     * Deadline 1: August $31$.     * Deadline 2: September $30$.
• Application Mechanics: There are two distinct applications.     * Credential-only is a post-baccalaureate application.     * Combined program is a graduate application. Selection cannot be changed after submission.

Required Application Documentation

• Documentation List: There are $11$ required verifications/documents, including:     * Certificate of Clearance: Verifies a clear criminal background check and fingerprinting with the CTC.         * Costs $52.65$.         * Can take $3$ weeks to process. Students should not submit the live scan form but the actual certificate issued by the CTC.         * Valid for $5$ years.     * Recommendations: Three recommenders are required.         * Two must be professors who taught and graded the student in an academic course.         * One must be a child/youth recommender who observed the student in a formal setting (e.g., a teacher from the $20$-hour observation requirement or a supervisor from an after-school program).         * Substitution Policy: If an applicant (Credential-only) graduated more than $4$ years ago, they may substitute one faculty recommendation for another professional/child/youth recommendation. Combined program applicants MUST have two faculty recommendations.     * Basic Skills Requirement: As of June $29$, $2021$, a bachelor's degree satisfies the basic reading, writing, and math skills (replacing the CBEST).     * Subject Matter Competency: Proving knowledge in disciplines like Language Arts, Social Science, and Math. Three options:         1. Approved Major: Liberal Studies, Elementary Education, or Liberal Arts.         2. Coursework: Specific forms documenting equivalent classes.         3. CSET Exams: Passing all $3$ subtests. Two out of three must be passed at the time of application.     * Field Experience: Proof of at least $20$ hours of experience in a $TK$-$8$ school setting.     * JEIE Statement: A required written statement based on provided instructions.

Financial Aid, Costs, and Scholarships

• Tuition Rates:     * Credential-only is charged at the post-baccalaureate rate.     * Combined program is charged at the graduate program rate.
• Financial Aid: Students should submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act application by priority deadlines.
• Grants and Scholarships: The College of Education offers various scholarships. Applications typically open in the Fall for the following year.
• Application Fees: Students should budget for the application fee, Certificate of Clearance, and potential CSET fees.

Final Interview and Orientation

• Interview Process: Applicants with complete files are invited to a one-on-one Zoom interview with faculty.
• Orientation: Mandatory training and orientation occur the week before school begins. Attending these sessions is a requirement with no exceptions.

Questions and Discussion

• Question: Can I get a teaching credential while finishing my bachelor’s?     * Response: There is no integrated pathway. You can take prerequisites while finishing the degree, but you cannot enter the credential program until the bachelor's is completed.
• Question: Is the bilingual authorization available in Farsi?     * Response: No, only the five languages listed (including Spanish).
• Question: If I want to teach multiple sciences like Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, is that Multiple Subject?     * Response: No, that is Single Subject, which is for departmentalized settings (Middle/High School). Multiple subject is for self-contained elementary classrooms.
• Question: I graduated five years ago; can I use supervisors for recommendations?     * Response: For Credential-only, you may substitute one faculty member for a supervisor. For the Combined (Graduate) program, you must have two faculty recommendations to prove academic readiness.
• Question: Can I teach in California without a credential if I have a Master’s?     * Response: No, a teaching credential is required to teach in public $K$-$12$ schools in California. Check "Teach California" for more info.
• Question: Can the CSET replace prerequisites?     * Response: No, the CSET satisfies subject matter competency, while prerequisites are required foundational courses for the program itself.
• Question: Does the bachelor's degree need to be in a specific field like Child Development?     * Response: No, it can be in any field (e.g., Spanish, Chemistry), provided you meet the subject matter competency via coursework or CSETs.