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Center for Achieving Black Wellness and Anti‑Racist Education
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Frequently Asked Questions

“This adultification and criminalization of Black children’s bodies and actions in schools perpetually deny them “any access to childhood humanity” – Dancy, 2014

Did you know?
Having at least one black teacher in elementary school reduced their probability of dropping out by 29% for low-income black students and 39% for very low-income black boys. –National Bureau of Economic Research (2018)

 

Teaching Requirements

In California this is the FIRST credential you can earn. If you want to be a teacher and do not hold a credential, then apply to a preliminary program.

SDSU offers the following programs that you are able to earn a Preliminary Credential in:

  1. Multiple Subjects
  2. Single Subject credential

In order to teach grades K-12 in public schools on a permanent basis, it is required that you hold a California teaching credential. 

If you are interested in pursuing a Master's, it is ideal that you do this after you have earned a teaching credential. A Master's allows a teacher to be more equipped to meet the needs of their students as well as a potential salary increase. 

A credential is an official documented credit that verifies an individual's qualification or competency in a specific skill.  They are verified by a third party that is qualified to do so.

A Master's is awarded after taking a requisite number of classes or units. 

Individuals who want to teach in elementary school in California must earn a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
Individuals who want to teach in middle school in California must earn a Single Subject Teaching Credential.
Individuals who want to teach in high school in California must earn a Single Subject Teaching Credential.
Individuals who want to teach special education students in California must earn an Education Specialist Instruction Credential.
 

Counseling in Schools Requirements

Any individual in any of the following specializations: school counseling, school social work, and school psychology must hold:

  1. A baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university
  2. Complete a post baccalaureate degree as well as a practicum with school-aged children
  3. Obtain the recommendation of a California college or university with a Commission-approved Pupil Personnel Services program specializing in the desired field
  4. Complete the Basic Skills Requirement
  5. Complete the Live Scan fingerprint process
  6. Pay the application processing fee once the recommendation has been submitted online by the college or university
A PPS credential authorizes an individual to work in a K-12 setting in California. They cannot work in the desired profession without it. It requires a total of 42-60 units depending on the program and 800 hours of fieldwork (working with school age children as a student in training). 
 

Degree Information

An EdS is a postgraduate degree that is based around certification preparation with students pursuing the degreee in order to gain qualifications they need for licensure or a specific job such as a principal or superintendent. This degree requires half the amount of units an EdD requires.
An EdD is a doctorate in Education designed for individuals who would like to take on the highest leadership roles in educational settings. The program typically involves research.
An EdD is a professional degree designed for practitioners who would like to become leaders or stategists and apply their knowledge in the education field. Whereas a PhD in education is designed to prepare graduates for research. 

An LPCC stands for licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor. A licensed clincal counselor uses various counseling interventions and techniques to identify cognitive, mental, and emotional issues. 

In order to obtain this licensure, one must complete  3,000 post-degree hours of supervised clinical mental health experience related to the practice of professional counseling, performed over a period of not less than two years under the supervision of an approved supervisor.

 

Application Process

  1. Apply to the university through Cal State Apply.
  2. Submit required documents to Graduate Admissions.
  3. Submit department required materials. Please review individual program requirements for more details.

Review more detailed instructions on how to apply on the Graduate I Want to Apply web page. If you are an applicant who will study in the U.S. on an F-1 Visa, review the International Graduate I Want to Apply web page.

SDSU Financial Aid & Scholarships has up-to-date information about external scholarships and grants specific to credential and graduate students. You can also refer to the resources section of this website for additional financial resources that are external.

It is recommended that you speak to the programs directly as well to see if there are any specific grants or scholarships they may offer.