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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What are your office hours?
  2. When is your application deadline? (Applies to all programs)
  3. I’m interested in getting a credential. What steps do I need to take?
  4. I just want general information about your Multiple Subject/Single Subject program.
  5. What are the office hours for professor ________?
  6. What is the telephone extension for professor_______?
  7. I want to speak to an advisor
  8. What is the cost of the Credentials program?
  9. Do I send my Credential Program application in at the same time as my Admission and Records Application?
  10. How do I take the pre-requisite classes?
  11. What semester will I be registering for?
  12. What are the requirements for the credential program?
  13. How can I know which classes transfer?
  14. Which classes transfer from the Santa Rosa JC?
  15. I need someone to review my transcripts and tell me what applies towards the credential program.
  16. I have a Multiple Subject Credential, now I want a Single Subject credential.
  17. I have a Single Subject Credential, now I want a Multiple Subject credential.
  18. I want information on your internship programs.
  19. How can I get an emergency permit?
  20. Do I need to have a BA before I get an emergency permit?
  21. I want to become a substitute teacher.
  22. I have an emergency permit, now I need to get a valid credential
  23. Which classes to I need to take to clear my credential and how do I go about registering for them?
  24. I need to request a change to my student teaching placement.
  25. How many hours do students spend in the classroom doing their student teaching?
  26. What are the requirements for being hired as a teacher in California?
  27. What is the employment outlook for teachers?
  28. What is the best area of teaching to go into?
  29. How do I get back into the Credential program after being gone for two years?
  30. What type of Financial Aid is available for Credential program students?
  31. I’m not quite finished with by BA; can I still apply to a Credential program?
  32. Who is my advisor?
  33. Do I have to turn in a complete application?
  34. Where are the low-performing schools in the area?
  35. I heard that you no longer need 6 units of foreign language to be credentialed. Is that true?
  36. I heard that CCTC will no longer issue CLAD emphasis credentials for regular Multiple Subject. What is the equivalent? How does that affect my potential pay scale?
  37. Are there changes to the BCLAD and ECE programs like there are for the regular Multiple Subject program?
  38. How do I “sign up” for the Credentials Ceremony once I am done with my credential program?
  39. What will I receive when I participate in the Credentials Ceremony?
  40. I have a Single Subject Credential and I want to get a second Single Subject Credential in another subject area.
  41. I have a Multiple or Single Subject Credential and now I want to earn an Education Specialist Level I credential.
  42. I have an Education Specialist Level I credential and now I want a Multiple or Single Subject credential.

Credentials Office - School of Education Most Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are your office hours?

a. Credentials: M-F 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
b. School of Education: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

2. When is your application deadline? (Applies to all programs)

a. Contact the Credentials Office at 664-2832 or visit the Applications link at http://www.sonoma.edu/education/applications.htm for specific program deadlines

3. I’m interested in getting a credential. What steps do I need to take?

To learn about what you need to do to get a credential, you can choose from the options below:

a. Visit our website at www.sonoma.edu/education for information about our various programs and how to apply for them

b. Attend one of our informational workshops. The workshops will review the application process and requirements for obtaining a credential in California. Schedule; First Monday of the month for Multiple Subject, Second Monday of the month for Single Subject, Third Monday of the month for Special Education. Held at 4:30 p.m. in Schulz 1121.

c. Email the credentials office at: credentials.office@sonoma.edu to ask questions or receive information

d. Call the credentials office at 707-664-2832 for information

4. I just want general information about your Multiple Subject/Single Subject program.

a. See answer to question 3

5. What are the office hours for professor ________?

a. Contact the professor (see question #6 for phone directory information)

b. Contact the School of Education at 707-664-3115 for this information

6. What is the telephone extension for professor_______?

a. Visit the Sonoma State website at https://ldaps.sonoma.edu/cgi-bin/fasd.cgi Type in the professor’s name and you will get a phone number

b. Contact the School of Education at 707-664-3115.

7. I want to speak to an advisor

a. Visit our School of Education website at www.sonoma.edu/education and click on the “Student Resources” link for information

b. If you are a student needing advising on how to enter the Credential Program, email the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu with your questions or attend an informational workshop (see question 3) sponsored by the School of Education

8. What is the cost of the Credentials program?

a. Sonoma State University is part of the California State University System; its fees are regulated by the State

b. Visit http://www.sonoma.edu/ar/admissions/FeesCostFin.shtml to view the most current information on University fees

c. You will also need to pay for books, materials, test fees, fingerprinting fees, and filing fees when you are in a Credential Program; visit www.sonoma.edu/education click “Student Resources” and “Credential Program Fees” for more information.

9. Do I send my Credential Program application in at the same time as my Admission and Records Application?

a. You are advised to send in your Credential Program application to the School of Education at the same time you submit your Admissions and Records application to the University

b. You can apply online to the university by going to www.CSUMENTOR.edu

c. You can download the Credential Program application at www.sonoma.edu/education under “Applications”

10. How do I take the pre-requisite classes?

a. You do not need to be admitted into a Credential Program to take prerequisite classes

b. Currently, you have four options for taking prerequisite courses:

i. You can take them as a continuing undergraduate at SSU (must be already admitted as an undergraduate to SSU)

ii. You can take them as a “Postbac” or Graduate student at SSU (must be already admitted as such or must apply as a “Postbac” student for a Credential program - and state you only are applying to take prerequisites in the goals statement section of the application - through CSU Mentor) .

11. What semester will I be registering for?

a. This depends on when you want to start the Credential program or when you want to take prerequisite courses

b. Please see the "Applications" link on the School of Education website for specific information

12. What are the requirements for the credential program?

a. Each Credential program has different requirements

b. Visit www.sonoma.edu/education and click on “Programs” for details

13. How can I know which classes transfer?

a. If you think you have courses that were taken elsewhere that meet prerequisite or Credential Program requirements, you can email the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu for information on getting an evaluation of a course(s)

14. Which classes transfer from the Santa Rosa JC?

a. Generally speaking, courses from Santa Rosa JC or other Junior or Community Colleges do not meet credential program requirements

b. JC or Community College courses can meet prerequisites or may be equivalent to some courses required for undergraduate degrees

c. If you believe you have JC or Community College courses that can count towards prerequisites or a specific undergraduate major, please email the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu

15. I need someone to review my transcripts and tell me what applies towards the credential program.

a. Please see answer to questions #13

16. I have a Multiple Subject Credential, now I want a Single Subject Credential.

a. If you have a valid Multiple Subject credential earned through a California based credential program and now want a Single Subject Credential you must do the following:

i. Meet subject matter competency either by waiver or exam(s) in the subject you are seeking a Single Subject Credential; contact the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu if you are unsure of what exams to take

ii. Take a Secondary Teaching Methodology (that is not reading) course at a University with an approved Credential Program; at SSU we recommend EDSS 444 in the desired subject area; you must meet with the Department Chair (707-664-4203) to obtain permission to take this course; once you obtain permission, contact the credentials office to find out how to register for the course

iii. Once you have both of these requirements met, you can apply directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for your second credential; visit www.ctc.ca.gov for more information

iv. If you hold a California credential based on an out of state program, these requirements may differ. Go to www.ctc.ca.gov or email the Credentials Office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu for information.

17. I have a Single Subject Credential, now I want a Multiple Subject credential.

a. If you have a valid Single Subject credential earned through a California based credential program and now want a Multiple Subject Credential you must do the following:

i. Meet subject matter competency by passing the CSET: Multiple Subject Exam (all three subtests)

ii. Take an Elementary Teaching Methodology (that is not reading) course at a University with an approved Credential Program; at SSU you must meet with the Department Chair (707-664-3238) to obtain advising and permission to take the course; once you obtain permission, contact the credentials office to find out how to register for the course

iii. Take an Elementary Teaching Reading course or take and pass RICA; at SSU you must meet with the Department Chair (707-664-3238) to obtain advising and permission to take the course; once you obtain permission, contact the credentials office to find out how to register for the course

iv. Once you have completed all of these requirements, you can apply directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for your second credential; visit www.ctc.ca.gov for more information

v. If you hold a California credential based on an out of state program, these requirements may differ. Go to www.ctc.ca.gov or email the Credentials Office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu for information.

18. I want information on your internship programs.

a. Please see the link for “Programs” at the School of Education website, www.sonoma.edu/education for information on our internship programs.

19. How can I get an emergency permit?

If you want information on getting an Emergency Substitute Teaching Credential, contact your local County Office of Education or visit: http://www.scoe.org/credentials.php or http://www.scoe.org/faq.php for information about substitute teaching in Sonoma County

20. Do I need to have a BA before I get an emergency permit?

a. Yes; you need to have a BA and CBEST passed before you can get an Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit

21. I want to become a substitute teacher.

a. Please see answer “a” under question 19

22. I have an emergency permit, now I need to get a valid credential

a. Please see answer to question 18 – the Internship link has reference to this question

23. Which classes to I need to take to clear my credential and how do I go about registering for them?

a. What you need to do to obtain a Clear Credential depends on the type of credential you now hold and the type of program you completed

b. Please see links for “How to Clear My Credential” at www.sonoma.edu/education under “Student Resources” for specific information

c. Email the Credentials Office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu for information on how to register for clear credential courses

24. I need to request a change to my student teaching placement.

a. Please see the appropriate student handbook at www.sonoma.edu/education; look under “Programs” and then the department your Credential Program is in to find the handbook that pertains to your credential program

25. How many hours do students spend in the classroom doing their student teaching?

a. Please see answer to question 23

26. What are the requirements for being hired as a teacher in California?

a. Generally speaking, if you are seeking employment in a public elementary, middle/junior or high school in California you will need to obtain an appropriate credential

b. The answer to this question depends on the type of employment as a teacher you are seeking; some districts hire teachers on Intern Credentials while others may only hire teachers with Preliminary or Professional Clear credentials; email the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu with your specific question about employment for a more accurate response to this question

27. What is the employment outlook for teachers?

a. Contact your local county office of education (or visit their websites) for information about employment

b. You can also contact the Career Center at Sonoma State University (www.sonoma.edu) to see if they may have information

28. What is the best area of teaching to go into?

a. Please see answers to question 26

29. How do I get back into the Credential program after being gone for two years?

a. If you have been out of the program and the University for more than 1 semester (or for more than 2 semesters if you filed for a leave of absence with Admissions and Records), you must do the following:

i. email the credentials office at: credentials.office@sonoma.edu regarding your plans to return – please remember to give us a complete name, any previous names, and the program you were admitted to – we will forward the information to the appropriate Department in the School of Education

ii. reapply to the University as a “Postbac” student by the appropriate deadline (call or email the Credentials office for deadline information)

b. If you have been out of the program and the University for only 1 semester (or 2 semesters with an approved leave of absence from Admissions and Records you must do the following:

i. email the credentials office at: credentials.office@sonoma.edu regarding your plans to return – please remember to give us a complete name, any previous names, and the program you were admitted to – we will forward the information to the appropriate Department in the School of Education

c. If you are not sure if you filed for a leave of absence, email the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu for assistance and instructions on how to return

30. What type of Financial Aid is available for Credential program students?

a. Please visit the “Student Resources” link on the School of Education website for this information.

31. I’m not quite finished with by BA; can I still apply to a Credential program?

a. Yes. Currently, you can apply to a credential program even if you have some classes left to complete for your B.A. or B.S. degree

b. If you are interested in doing this, please email the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu to schedule a pre-admission advising appointment.

32. Who is my advisor?

a. If you are an Undergraduate student completing courses towards your B.A. or B.S., contact your undergraduate department for advising questions

b. If you are a Credential Program student, visit the “Student Resources” link on the School of Education website for information on advisors

c. If you are a student needing advising on how to enter the Credential Program, email the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu with your questions or attend an informational workshop (see question 3) sponsored by the School of Education

33. Do I have to turn in a complete application?

a. It is required that you turn in a complete application for the Credential Program as this greatly facilitates the application review process and it makes sure you have a complete application packet when faculty begin the admissions process

b. Contact the Credentials Office at 707-664-2832 or credentials.office@sonoma.edu with any concerns regarding deadlines (and items required for application) for the Credential or MA programs


34. Where are the low-performing schools in the area?

a. The California Student Aid Commission is currently working on a link that will provide this information

b. Check the APLE link at: http://www.csac.ca.gov/doc.asp?id=111 for updates

35. I heard that you no longer need 6 units of foreign language to be credentialed. Is that true?

a. Yes. The California Multiple Subject and Single Subject Credential Programs at SSU no longer require 6 units of foreign language; other institutions may have other variations on this requirement

b. Proficiency in the target language (Spanish) as measured by the BCLAD Program Spanish Proficiency Exam at SSU is still required for the Bilingual Emphasis Multiple Subject Credential Program at SSU

36. I heard that CCTC will no longer issue CLAD emphasis credentials for regular Multiple Subject. What is the equivalent? How does that affect my potential pay scale?

a. The Multiple Subject and Single Subject CLAD credential programs at SSU have been redesigned, according to State guidelines, and are now considered SB2042 programs

b. The new SB2042 programs will provide its candidates with authorization to teach English Language Learners

c. For employment purposes, the new Multiple Subject and Single Subject SB2042 credentials will meet the requirement that CLAD used to meet; for questions regarding pay scale, please research the employment practices of the district in which you will seek employment

37. Are there changes to the BCLAD and ECE programs like there are for the regular Multiple Subject program?

a. A revised Multiple Subject BCLAD (Bilingual Emphasis) Credential program has been approved for Sonoma State; this credential is still being issued by the State; if you are interested in the Bilingual Emphasis Multiple Subject Credential, please contact Charles Elster at charles.elster@sonoma.edu

b. A Certificate program in Early Childhood Education has been approved for Sonoma State University; the Multiple Subject Early Childhood Education credential will only be issued to candidates who began the program prior to Fall 2003; SSU continues to offer an MA in Early Childhood Education program; for information on the Certificate or MA Program in Early Childhood Education, please contact Dr. Johanna Filp-Hanke at johanna.filp@sonoma.edu

38. How do I “sign up” for the Credentials Ceremony once I am done with my credential program?

a. You don’t have to do anything to sign up to participate in the Credentials Ceremony; your corresponding department will tentatively place your name in the Credentials Ceremony program, provided you are enrolled in a full time student teaching course or intern teaching course; invitations to the ceremony will be distributed during the student teaching courses by your corresponding supervisor

b. Once all names are in the program, the student teaching supervisors review it to make sure those who are listed will satisfactorily complete student teaching; any students who won’t be completing, will be removed from the credential ceremony program

c. Should you have questions about whether or not you will complete student teaching satisfactorily, please contact your student teaching supervisor

39. What will I receive when I participate in the Credentials Ceremony?

a. If you participate in the Credentials Ceremony (provided your student teaching supervisor confirms you are indeed completing the program), you will receive a lovely Certificate of Achievement that is prepared by the School of Education

b. PLEASE NOTE: this certificate is not to be used for employment purposes; you will need to file the appropriate paperwork and fees with the Credentials Office in order to be recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for a teaching credential; review of the paperwork and fees will take place as part of your student teaching seminar

40. I have a Single Subject Credential and I want to get a second Single Subject Credential in another subject area.

a. If you have a valid Single Subject credential and now want a second Single Subject Credential in another subject area you must do the following:

i. Meet subject matter competency either by waiver or exam(s) in the subject you are seeking a Single Subject Credential; contact the credentials office at credentials.office@sonoma.edu if you are unsure of what exams to take
ii. Once you have this requirement met, you can apply directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for your second credential; visit www.ctc.ca.gov for more information

41. I have a Multiple or Single Subject Credential and now I want to earn an Education Specialist Level I credential.

a. If you have a valid Multiple or Single Subject credential and now want to earn an Education Specialist Level I credential, you must do the following:

i. Apply to and enroll in an Education Specialist Level I credential program. Your Multiple or Single Subject credential may help you meet some of the requirements for the Education Specialist Level I. However, you must still complete an Education Specialist Level I program to be eligible for the credential.

ii. For information on the Education Specialist Level I program at SSU, go to: www.sonoma.edu/education and look under "Credential Programs" and "Applications".

42. I have an Education Specialist Level I credential and now I want a Multiple or Single Subject credential.

a. If you have a valid Education Specialist credential and now want to earn a Multiple or Single Subject credential, you must do the following:

i. Apply to and enroll in a Multiple or Single Subject credential program. Your Education Specialist credential may help you meet some of the requirements for the Multiple or Single Subject credential. However, you must still complete a Multiple or Single Subject credential program to be eligible for the credential you are seeking.

ii. For information on the Multiple or Single Subject programs at SSU, go to: www.sonoma.edu/education and look under "Credential Programs" and "Applications".


 

 

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Pamela Van Halsema
Last modified 10.22.08