Steps to Earning Your Credential

Steps 1-7

• Step 1: Submit Transcripts

  Submit official transcripts and transfer transcripts, if applicable, to the Credential Analyst. (Students in the School Counseling program upload transcripts to Tevera). 

  If asking for credit for education coursework from another university for the credential program, complete the Petition for Approval of Credential Coursework form.

  Students should submit their transcripts to the credential analyst at the beginning of their first semester. 

• Step 2: Basic Skills Requirement

  Both School Counselor and Teacher candidates must satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement, which may be met through several options outlined in the bullets below. After you determine the option that best serves your needs, please complete the Basic Skills Verification form found on the main section of this webpage.

  • Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) The test consists of 3 parts: reading, writing, and mathematics. There is a fee to take the exam.

  • Submit proof of qualifying alternative basic skills exam scores (SAT, ACT, AP, CSET: Multiple Skills & Writing Exam).

  • Submit proof of qualifying college-level coursework*.

  • Submit a combination of qualifying college-level coursework and qualifying basic skills exams, including subtests of the CBEST*.

  *Please see the Basic Skills Requirement tables for details about qualifying college-level coursework and qualifying exams that may be combined to satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement. 

  School Counselors: Video Instructions for Satisfying the Basic Skills Requirement

  Teacher Candidates: Video Instructions for Satisfying the Basic Skills & Subject Matter Requirements

• Step 3: Subject Matter Requirement (Teacher Credential Candidates Only)

  Teacher credential candidates must demonstrate Subject Matter proficiency, which may be satisfied through one of the options outlined below. After you determine the option that best serves your needs, please complete the Subject Matter Verification form found on this main section of this webpage.

  Instructions for Teachers: Basic Skills & Subject Matter Video

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  Teacher credential candidates may satisfy the Subject Matter Requirement through the following options:

  1. Examination

  Passing the appropriate subject matter examination of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). The CSET must have been passed within the previous 5 years.

  • Multiple Subject candidates are required to take the "CSET: Multiple Subject Subtests I, II, and III." 
  • Single Subject candidates must pass all of the subtests of the CSET exam in the appropriate subject area or complete an approved subject area program if available. (Mathematics is the only USD subject area approved program.)
  • Education Specialist candidates may meet either of the options above.

  There is a fee to take the CSET.

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  2. Subject Matter Program 

  Completion of a CTC-approved Subject Matter Program.

  • Please note that a Subject Matter Program is different from an Educator Preparation Program. Completion of a Subject Matter Program is specifically needed to meet this requirement. See the hyperlink above to find a current list of approved Subject Matter Programs.

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  3. Academic Major

  Completion of an academic major, from a regionally accredited institution of higher education, in the subject area of the credential being sought. (For details about acceptable majors see PSA 21-10 or At a Glance: Academic Majors). 

  • Single subject credentials: A major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates, e.g., Math, English, Social Studies, etc.
  • Multiple subject credentials: A liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the multiple subject matter content areas.
  • Education specialist credentials: Either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the multiple subject matter content areas.

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  4. Coursework 

  Teacher candidates may satisfy the Subject Matter Requiement through the completion of coursework with a grade of C- or above at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the Commission-adopted subject matter domains of the subject matter of the credential being sought.

  Candidates must identify the applicable Subject Matter Domains for their credential(s) and crosslist the courses they have taken that satisfy the various domains.

  • Single subject credentials: see the Single Subject Domains Document
  • Multiple subject credentials: see the Multiple Subject Domains Document
  • Education specialist credentials: see either of the options above. 

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  5. Combination of Examinations & Coursework

  Teacher candidates may satisfy the Subject Matter Requiement through the completion of a combination of coursework and examination(s) that meets or exceeds the subject matter domains. See Subject Matter Domains and CSET Examination by Subtest.

• Step 4: Certificate of Clearance

  A Livescan fingerprint clearance and background check through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) are required upon admission to the credential program. Instructions for completing the process are available at the San Diego County Office of Education - Request for Livescan Service.

  • The certificate of clearance must be posted on the CTC web site www.ctc.ca.gov prior to fieldwork.
  • After you have received your Certificate of Clearance, email the verification notice to the Credential Analyst. (School Counseling candidates, upload your verification notice to Tevera).
  • If you hold a California credential, such as an emergency or sub permit, submit a copy to the Credential Analyst. 

  There is a fee for the certificate of clearance.
• Step 5: RICA (Teacher Credential Only)

  The Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA) is required for the Multiple Subject and/or Level I Education Specialist credentials. These candidates should take the RICA as soon as the EDTE 301P/501P course has been completed.

  • Multiple subject credentials: email an official copy of passing verification to the Credential Analyst.
  • Education specialist credentials: email an official copy of passing verification to the Credential Analyst. 

  There is a fee to take the exam.

• Step 6: Degree Conferral & Final Grades

  To prepare to be recommended for the credential, all candidates must confirm the following items are resolved:

  • Degree Posted: The Credential Analyst has on file an official copy of your undergraduate transcript with the Bachelor's degree posted.
  • Final Grades: Final grades, including grades for student teaching/field placement and seminar, are posted on your transcript.
  • Incompletes: All incompletes are cleared from your transcript.
• Step 7: CalTPA (Teacher Credential Only)

  USD uses the CalTPA exam as its final Teacher Performance Assessment. Multiple Subject and Single Subject candidates must pass the CalTPA prior to being recommended for the credential. Beginning Fall 2022, all Education Specialists candidates must pass the CalTPA prior to being recommended for the credential.

Additional Requirements for Teacher Credential

These requirements do not need to be done in any specific order, but do need to be completed by the end of the program. 

• U.S. Constitution Requirement
• English Linguistics Course
• CPR Certification
• Negative TB

Final Step: Request Credential Recommendation

Students should request a credential recommendation after ALL requirements are completed.

• School Counselor Credential
• Teacher Credential