How to Apply to the Bilingual Elementary and Middle/High School Credential Programs

Prerequisite Course Requirements

The following courses must be completed within the past 7 years with a grade of "C," "Credit/Pass," or better before entering the program. These courses cannot be taken concurrently with the program but may be in progress at the time of application or completed during the summer prior to admission.

• DLE 416, “Biliteracy Foundations for Teaching and Learning in Diverse Communities” (3 units) (see language and cultural competency requirement)
• ED 451, “Introduction to Multicultural Education” (3 units)
• TE 280, “Health Education for Teachers” (1 unit) 
• SPED 450, “Classroom Adaptations for Special Populations” (3 units) 
• DLE 515, "Multilingual Educational Theory and Practice" (3 units) (can be waived with passing CSET LOTE subtest 5 scores)
• MATH 210, “Structure and Concepts of Elementary Mathematics” (3 units) (Multiple Subjects Only)

Art applicants have 4 additional required pre-requisites: Art 385, Art 386A and B, and Art 387. These will be offered at SDSU in the Spring semesters and must be completed prior to starting the credential program.

Course Equivalencies for Other Schools

If you have taken, or plan to take, a course outside the San Diego area, please email [email protected] to request information about course equivalencies.

Language and Cultural Competency

All candidates must verify their Spanish language and cultural competency for entrance to the Bilingual Credential program. You can do this in one of 2 ways:

Option 1: Taking a Course

To meet this requirement, bilingual credential applicants can complete DLE 416, "Biliteracy Foundations for Teaching and Learning in Diverse Communities" (3 units) with a C or better and pass the language proficiency exam associated with DLE 416. When applying to the credential program, this class can be in progress or planned to take the summer prior to starting the credential program. Scores on the associated language proficiency exam should be saved and submitted with your credential application at completion. The exam and passing standard will be covered in DLE 416. 

For Mandarin, take DLE 416 with the Mandarin language focus.

Option 2: Passing the CSET LOTE Exam, Subtest 3

You must successfully pass the CSET LOTE  (Language Other Than English) exam in Spanish: Subtest 3. Subtest 3 covers the Spanish language comprehension and expression in Listening, Reading, and Writing.

For Mandarin, pass the CSET LOTE exam in Mandarin, subtest 3.

Personal Narrative

You will be asked in the Program materials section of Cal State Apply to address both of the following prompts in a double-spaced, typewritten response. The preferred length is 2-page response in 12-point font for each prompt:

1. Goals and Philosophy Essay:  Please write an essay in English covering such areas as your professional development as an educator, the kind of skills you feel are necessary to be an effective bilingual teacher and your perceived type of support needed to accomplish the above. You may also wish to cover the importance of the language and culture children bring to school and its role in any further academic development.
   
   
2. Autobiographical Essay in Spanish: This essay will help the school administrators and the University supervisor to become better acquainted with you. Your essay should be written in Spanish and include:
   • Personal information relative to your birthplace, elementary schooling, interests, hobbies, etc.
   • Experiences you have had with school-aged children that have helped you gain insight into childhood growth and development and into school procedures and operations, and
   • A brief statement indicating the reasons why you are interested in teaching and why you have the potential for becoming an excellent teacher.

If you are applying to be a Bilingual Partner, then both essays can be in English, but please explain either in the essay or video your comfort level with the Spanish language.

If you are applying to the Mandarin program, please submit both of the narratives in English.

Both essays must be uploaded to the application as separate PDF documents.

Video

You will be asked in the Program Materials section of Cal State Apply to upload a document with a video link, no longer than 2 minutes in length. Please select and respond to 2 of the 3 questions below.  We invite you to respond to one of the questions in Spanish.

If you are applying to the Mandarin program, please submit the video in English only.

1. What is something you wish you had experienced as a student in school that you are committed to providing for your future students?
   
   ¿Qué experiencia desearía haber tenido como estudiante en una escuela que se compromete a proveer a sus futuros estudiantes?
2. As an educator, talk about your view of diversity as it pertains to respect for children and adults of various cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, social classes, political beliefs, genders, religious beliefs and disabilities.
   
   Como educador/a, hable acerca de su punto de vista sobre la diversidad como pertenece al respeto hacia niños y adultos de diferentes culturas, etnicidades, orientaciones sexuales, clases sociales, creencias políticas, géneros, creencias religiosas, y discapacidades.
3. How would you rate your Spanish language level? (Ex. Intermediate, Advanced, etc.) What differences do you notice between your speaking and writing abilities?
   
   ¿Qué nivel daría usted a su español? (Intermedio, avanzado, etc.) ¿Cuáles diferencias nota usted entre sus habilidades orales y escritas?

In the application, you will need to upload your video to YouTube or Vimeo or you could choose to add it to your Google Drive and use the shareable link to provide in your application. Here are some tips to make sure your video is viewable by the faculty:

• Please be sure to provide us the actual URL/web address in your application. Do not link the URL to words (i.e Video ) as the system does not allow us to link to the video through words.
• Please make sure the link you share in your application is public or shareable so the faculty will be able to view this in your application.

Credential Application Fee

A $25 application fee is required to submit your application to the preliminary credential program. Payments can be made online through SDSU eCashier.

• Select "view details" next to the Credential Application Fee.
• Select "add to cart."
• Select "checkout."
• Enter the personal information requested and select "continue."
• Enter payment method and select "continue." Continue following directions until payment has been submitted.
• Upload the receipt of payment into the Cal State Apply application.

Tuberculin Clearance - Negative TB Test

Verification of a negative TB test (verification of no presence or active case of TB through PPD or Mantoux test), must be valid and on file throughout the credential program.

• TB tests are valid for 4 years and can be taken at SDSU Student Health Services (for students currently enrolled at SDSU) or through any public health clinic, HMO, or private physician.
• If you receive a positive skin test, then you will need to provide proof that your TB is not active by a doctor’s note or x-ray results.
• You will need to upload proof of negative TB test to the Documents tab in the Program Materials box of the Cal State Apply application.

Please note that after admission to SDSU, SDSU Student Health Services will require you to provide immunization and TB records to them directly. We do not share this information with them.