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

Emergency 30-Day Permit can be done online or in person.

Fingerprinting can be done at any Live Scan location with the required Fingerprinting Form (41-LS) form.

The following courses may be used to fulfill this requirement:

• Multiple Subjects Credential Candidates: ED 200,  LS 300, or TE 362 (3-unit section)
• Single Subject Credential Candidates: TE 362 (3-unit section)

The following majors have specialized Early Fieldwork Experiences built into the course of studies.

• Creative and Performing Arts Majors TE 362- (3-unit section)
  • Music Education majors automatically meet the requirement. All other music majors should take TE 362 (3-unit section)

If you already hold a Bachelor's degree, you can use substitute teaching to meet this requirement (instead of the EFE Verification Form, you would upload copies of your pay stubs showing 45 hours completed).

The College of Education Office for Student Success (OSS) (LH-259) has a scanner available (free of charge) and can help you with this process.

You must complete 45 hours of observation in public California classrooms on your own in the grade level (s) and subject(s) in which you plan to teach. You must upload a completed “Early Field Experience” verification page to your Program application.

Early Field Experience Verification Form (PDF)

Note: If you have any teaching experience outside the classroom within the past 7 years (such as tutoring, coaching, international teaching experience, CTE teaching,  or private teaching experience), these hours can count for up to 15 of the 45 required hours.

Please include a letter or note in your application to document the completion of these hours in addition to the EFE Verification Form for the other 30 hours that would be required.

Some undergraduate degrees automatically fulfill the subject matter requirement, meaning you may not need to take the CSET exams.

• Multiple Subject applicants (e.g., elementary school): A degree in Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts, or Elementary Education qualifies.
• Single Subject applicants (e.g., middle/high school subjects): Your degree must match the subject you plan to teach.
  
  • Example: To teach English, you must have a degree in English.
  • To teach Math, you must have a degree in Math.

More details can be found on the CCTC's summary of options by credential area:

CCTC Subject Matter Chart of Options.

If your degree does not match the subject area, you can meet the requirement by passing the appropriate CSET exams.

• Visit www.cset.nesinc.com for test dates, registration, and study guides.
• Exams may be in progress while applying, but scores must be submitted as soon as possible for admission eligibility.
• You must pass all required subtests in your subject area to be admitted to the 2-semester program:
  
  View Subtests in Your Subject Area
  
  
• If you have not yet passed all subtests, you may still be eligible for the 3-semester program. However, all subtests must be passed before student teaching begins.
• CSET scores are valid for 10 years. If you do not earn your credential recommendation within that time, the exams must be retaken.

If you are considering meeting subject matter competency through completed coursework, it is your responsibility to evaluate whether your academic background aligns with the state requirements. To do so:

1. Review the Subject Matter Domains for your subject area.
2. Carefully compare your completed coursework to the domain expectations listed.
3. Once you believe your coursework meets all the domain requirements, you may email [email protected] to request a Subject Matter Course Review Request Form.

Please note: Our admissions team does not provide preliminary transcript advising or course-matching guidance. If you are unsure whether your courses fulfill the subject matter requirements, they likely do not. It is essential that you review the domains carefully and only request a review if you are confident that your coursework meets all listed competencies. You must request an evaluation no later than January 1st for Fall start or August 1st for Spring start. 

Please wait to request these official transcripts until after you have submitted the Cal State Apply application, then request that your official transcripts be sent to SDSU, following instructions below under Submitting Your Transcripts.  If you send them in before you submit the application, they will take longer to process.

If you attended SDSU for your undergraduate degree, you can skip this step—we have this information already on file.

Submitting Your Transcripts

Transcripts must be sent by the institution

AFTER you submit your Cal State Apply application, have your official transcript(s) sent to SDSU Graduate Admissions.  SDSU requires 1 official transcript from all schools attended (except SDSU):

Via email

When requesting an electronic transcript, you can choose San Diego State University on the selection menu or have them emailed to:  [email protected].

• SDSU will not accept transcripts emailed from students.
• SDSU accepts electronic transcripts in PDF or EDI format.

Via mail

Have mailed transcripts sent to SDSU Graduate Admissions:

Graduate Admissions
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-8225

Information on submitting transcripts can also be found on the Steps to Apply webpage (Step 3).

To upload unofficial transcripts from the institution where you bachelor’s degree was earned:

• Download a digital copy of your unofficial transcript, or scan a paper copy.
• Upload it to the Program Materials section of your Cal State Apply application.
• This requirement applies to all applicants, including current SDSU undergraduates.
• If your degree is still in progress, you must still upload your most recent unofficial transcript for faculty review.

Note: This step is in addition to sending official transcripts to the SDSU Graduate Admissions Office. Uploading unofficial transcripts does not fulfill the official transcript requirement.

Optional: You may also upload unofficial transcripts from community colleges and other institutions attended. Use the "Additional Unofficial Transcript" upload section in the Cal State Apply application to include these.

• Choose recommenders who know you in different capacities (e.g., professor, employer, supervising teacher).
  Do not submit two letters from the same type of role (e.g., two coaches).
• Strong recommendations typically come from:
  • University professors or instructors
  • Employers or supervisors
  • Teachers you’ve worked with or volunteered for
• Family members and friends are not acceptable. Recommenders must clearly state how they know you in their letter.
• Each letter must include the recommender’s email and phone number.

In the Recommendations section of your Cal State Apply application:

1. Enter the name and email address of each recommender.
2. The system will email them with instructions to upload their letter.
3. It is your responsibility to follow up and ensure they complete the process.

Track your requests in the system:

• Requested – You’ve submitted the request; the email has been sent.
• Accepted – Your recommender has agreed but has not uploaded the letter yet.
• Completed – The letter is uploaded and part of your application.

Note: We can only review letters that show as "Completed" in the system.

University or community college instructors may submit a Credential Recommendation Form instead of a traditional letter.

These forms are not sent through Cal State Apply—you must email the form link to your instructor directly.

Credential Recommendation Form

We do not expect every letter to cover all points, but across your recommendations, reviewers will look for comments on:

• Your qualifications for a teaching career
• Experience in multicultural or diverse settings
• Academic background and educational experiences
• Employment or volunteer experience
• Teaching or leadership roles
• Your potential for success as a teacher