Credential and Certificate Programs
Professional Teacher Preparation
The Department of Learning and Teaching offers initial and advanced preparation programs for teachers of students in grade levels from kindergarten through high school, as well as adults. The Multiple Subject credential program is an initial program designed for candidates who wish to teach in elementary school settings. The Single Subject program is for those who wish to teach in secondary school settings. Candidates interested in careers in special education enroll in the Level I Educational Specialist credential program with English Learner Authorization and may choose specializations in Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities and/or Early Childhood Special Education. The Master of Education degree in Special Education may be earned in conjunction with the Level I Education Specialist credential. Candidates who wish to teach English to adult speakers of other languages may enroll in the TESOL certificate program.
Course Descriptions
Credential Programs
The Department of Learning and Teaching offers several credential programs to prepare teacher candidates for the 12th grade level and below: the Multiple Subject credential, the Single Subject credential, and the Education Specialist credential in three areas: Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate or Severe Disabilities, and Early Childhood Special Education. The Multiple Subject credential is appropriate for self-contained classrooms typically found in elementary schools. The Single Subject credential is for subject-matter teachers typically assigned to middle school and high school positions. The Education Specialist credentials in Mild/Moderate and Moderate or Severe Disabilities are appropriate for special education settings in grades K-12. The Early Childhood specialist credential applies to children with disabilities from birth through pre-school. Advanced credential programs are offered for those who have already earned a teaching credential or with significant teaching experience. Level II Education Specialist credentials with English Learner Authorization are available for special education teachers.
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Multiple Subject Credential
The Multiple Subject program is designed for those interested in teaching in elementary grades. Completion of an approved California state Liberal Studies undergraduate program is helpful preparation for the Multiple Subject credential, but is not required. To demonstrate subject matter competence, all candidates for the Multiple Subject credential are required to pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET: Multiple Subjects) prior to student teaching. Some applicants may be required to submit a passing score on this test prior to being admitted to the credential program. All candidates for the credential must submit either a passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or CSET: Writing Skills Assessment prior to admittance to the program, or evidence of having registered for taking the basic skills exam at its next offering.
Requirements for the Multiple Subject Credential |
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| EDU 558XB | First and Second Language Development and Structure for the Classroom Teacher (3) Available online through the USD Division of Continuing Education. |
Required Courses |
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| EDSP 589 | Healthy Environments and Inclusive Education (3) |
| EDUC 581C | Multicultural and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3) Field Requirements: five hours service learning, five hours observation |
| EDUC 582 | Psychological Foundations of Education in a Diverse Society (3) Field Requirement: eight hours of observation |
| EDUC 583P | Methods of Teaching Reading and Language Arts in Elementary Schools (3) Field Requirement: 50 hour practicum |
| EDUC 584C | Methods of Teaching English Language and Academic Development (3) Field Requirement: 20 hours service learning |
| EDUC 585P | Elementary Curriculum Methods (6) Field Requirement: 50 hour practicum |
| EDUC 590S | Student Teaching Seminar for the Multiple Subject Credential (3)* |
| EDUC 590P | Student Teaching for the Multiple Subject Credential (9)* |
| * EDUC 590S must be taken concurrently with EDUC 590P. | |
Additional Requirements |
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| • Passing score on the following exams: CBEST or CSET: Writing Skills Assessment, CSET: Multiple Subjects, RICA. The CBEST or CSET: Writing Skills Assessment and CSET exams must be passed prior to student teaching; • CPR certification infant, child and adult; • U.S. Constitution requirement; • Successful completion of an online technology workshop; • Fitness to Teach: Admission to the credential program does not guarantee the opportunity to student teach. Placement is based upon assessment of candidates’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions in coursework and fieldwork. In addition, all candidates must be cleared through the CTC certificate of clearance; and, • Grades of B- or better are required in all courses, including student teaching. |
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Requirements for the Multiple Subject Credential with a BCLAD Emphasis (Bilingual: Spanish credential) |
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| BCLAD candidates take EDUC 542 in place of EDUC 582, but otherwise must meet all the requirements for the regular Multiple Subject credential. In addition, they must also have courses in anthropology, and Latin-American and California culture and history. They must also pass Spanish proficiency and Cultural Awareness exams. Please see an advisor in the BCLAD program to discuss these requirements. | |
Single Subject Credential |
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| The Single Subject credential is designed to prepare candidates to teach subjects in a departmentalized situation typically found in middle and high schools. To demonstrate subject matter competency, candidates must meet the academic requirements of a USD-approved subject matter program, or pass the appropriate CSET examination in the subject field in which they wish to teach. The CSET exam must be passed prior to student teaching. Some applicants may be required to submit scores on the CSET exam prior to being admitted into the credential program. USD currently has one CCTC approved subject matter program in the area of Mathematics. | |
Requirements for the Single Subject Credential |
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| EDU 558XB | First and Second Language Development and Structure for the Classroom Teacher (3) |
| Available online through the USD Division of Continuing Education. | |
| Required Courses | |
| EDSP 589 | Healthy Environments and Inclusive Education (3) |
| EDUC 532P | Curriculum and Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools (3) Field Requirement: 50 hour practicum |
| EDUC 534P | Methods of Teaching Reading in Secondary Schools (3) Field Requirement: 50 hour practicum |
| EDUC 581C | Multicultural and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3) Field Requirements: 5 hours service learning, 5 hours observation |
| EDUC 582 | Psychological Foundations of Education in a Diverse Society (3) Field Requirement: 8 hours of observation |
| EDUC 584C | Methods of Teaching English Language and Academic Development (3) Field Requirement: 20 hours service learning |
| EDUC 591S | Student Teaching Seminar for the Single Subject Credential (2)* |
| EDUC 591P | Student Teaching for the Single Subject Credential (10)* |
| * EDUC 591S must be taken concurrently with EDUC 591P. | |
Additional Requirements |
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| • Passing score on the following exams: CBEST, CSET or successful completion of a CCTC-approved subject matter program prior to student teaching; • United States Constitution requirement; • Successful completion of an on-line technology workshop; • Fitness to Teach: Admission to the credential program does not guarantee the opportunity to student teach. Placement is based upon assessment of candidates’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions in coursework and fieldwork. In addition, all candidates must be cleared through the CTC certificate of clearance; • Grades of B- or better are required in all courses and student teaching; and, • CPR certification infant, child and adult |
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Certificate Programs
Specialist in Character Development Certificate
The Certificate Program in Character Development is designed to meet the needs of educators who are interested in the character development of children and youth. This unique program offers SOLES graduate students the opportunity to take any one of three courses as electives in their current programs. It also enables SOLES graduate students who complete all three courses (9 units) to earn a framed Specialist Certificate in Character Development.
These graduate credit courses are offered online through the Department of Learning and Teaching. The character development certificate program can be completed in one academic year (fall, intersession, spring semesters). A graduate certificate in character development will improve candidate’s knowledge and skills in helping students develop the habits of good character.
Course Requirements |
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| EDUC 556 | Instructional Strategies in Character Education (3) Fall semesters |
| EDUC 553 | Curriculum and Programs in Character Education (3) Intersession January-February |
| EDUC 554 | Character-based Discipline (3) Spring semesters |
| EDUC 551 | Special Topics in Character Education (1-3) |
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Certificate
The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is comprised of 12 units of graduate level coursework designed to provide candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to effectively teach English to English Language Learners.
Prerequisite: An additional 3 unit course in linguistics is required as a prerequisite or co-requisite course (taken by the beginning of the second semester).
Certificate candidates will acquire a working knowledge of linguistics, first and second language acquisition and the cultural and social contexts of learning listening, speaking, and writing skills in English with speakers of other languages. TESOL certificate candidates will examine the latest theories, research and applications in TESOL, and acquire the knowledge and cultural competencies to assume leadership roles in their areas of expertise. Two features distinguish this certificate from other certificate programs: (1) the practicum experience that candidates will receive in various educational, public, private, and community settings where English is taught, and (2) a three-unit course that will provide an international context and experience where candidates will learn about language, culture, education and traditions of a nation other than their own through international travel.
As a result of earning a TESOL certificate, graduates will have the expertise to be employed in various education settings as English as a Second Language (ESL) instructors in language institutes, in private and public international schools, businesses, nonprofit agencies, and community agencies. A TOEFL score of 83 (Internet based), 580 (paper based), or 237 (computer based) is required for admission of international students. National and international candidates seeking the TESOL certificate will need to meet the regular graduate admissions criteria for the corresponding master’s degree in Language, Literacy and Culture with the TESOL certificate option.
Program of Study |
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Prerequisite Course |
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| EDU 558XB | First and Second Language Development and Structure for the Classroom Teacher (3) Offered through Continuing Education |
| Required Courses from Existing M.Ed. in Literacy, Culture and TESOL Master’s Degree Program | |
| EDUC 529 | Literacy, Language and Culture (3) |
| EDUC 541 | Second Language Acquisition and Development (3) |
| EDUC 543 | Methods of Teaching Literacy in ESL (3) |
| EDUC 549F | TESOL Capstone Seminar (3) |
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