MS and SS Internship Programs
(1) Bachelor's Degree Requirement. Candidates admitted to internship programs must hold baccalaureate degrees or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Reference: Education Code Sections 44325, 44326, 44453.
As specified in the general admission requirements for San Diego State University, applicants for any type of graduate or post baccalaureate study, including internship programs, must hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association.
Each Multiple Subject and Single Subject Intern must demonstrate subject matter competence prior to being recommended for the intern credential through one of the following methods:
- Completion of a subject matter program approved by the Commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(i).
- Passage of a Commission-approved subject matter examination. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(ii).
- Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may count for purposes of this clause. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(iii).
- Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable.
- For single subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the Commission credentials candidates as indicated in Education Code Sections 44259 (b)(5)(A)(iv)(I) and 44282 (b).
- For multiple subject credentials, a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas as indicated in Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(iv)(II) and 44282 (b).
- A combination of the methods described in 1, 2, or 3 above that, together, demonstrate that the candidate has met or exceeded the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(v), and 44282 (b).
NOTE: Proposed Title 5 regulations are under review with the Office of Administrative Law. These proposed regulations would provide additional information on meeting the subject matter competence requirement by degree major and/or completed coursework. Commission staff will update the relevant preconditions and evidence guidance documents and remove this note, if and when, the Title 5 regulations take effect, in accordance with direction from the Commission.
Link to internship credential checklist
Subject Matter Competency is evaluated when candidates first apply to the credential program. Applicants are asked to submit a trasncript or CSET scores are evidence of meeting the requirement. Those who believe that they have met the requirement via coursework are provided with a course review request forms. Once they submit the form, the Director of Acreditaion, Program Review, and Assessment does a preliminary review. If there are questions, she will reach out to the undergraduate advisors in the appropriate subject area and ask for their input. If they do not meet the requirement via coursework, they are told that they need to take the CSET exam before they can be given an internship credential.
Each Multiple and Single Subject Internship program must include a minimum of 120 clock hour (or the semester or quarter unit equivalent) pre-service component which includes foundational preparation in:
- general pedagogy including classroom management and planning,
- reading/language arts,
- subject specific pedagogy,
- human development, and
- specific content regarding the teaching English Learners pursuant to California Code of Regulations §80033.
For the School of Teacher Education (STE) Pre‐service courses for MS and SS interns include:
- DLE 915 A/B: ELD/SDAI Methodology in the Content Areas
- SPED 450/500: Classroom adaptations for Special Populations
- TE 920 (MS) or TE 922 (SS): Classroom Management
- TE 930 (MS) or TE 933 (SS) Teaching Reading
- TE 910 A,B, C (MS) or TE 914 (SS): Content Area Methods
For the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education (DLE) preservice courses the a bilingaul MS/SS credential inlcude:
- DLE 515 - Multilingual Education
- TE 280 - Health Education
- SPED 500 or 450 - Special Populations
- ED 451 - Introduction to Multicultural Education
- Language and Cultural Competency (DLE 416- 20 hrs.) or CSET LOTE subtests 3 and 5
Link to Pre-service Verification Form
Link to DLE Internship Handbook
The employing district has developed and implemented a Professional Development Plan for interns in consultation with a Commission-approved program of teacher preparation. The plan shall include all of the following:
- Provisions for an annual evaluation of the intern.
- A description of the courses to be completed by the intern, if any, including student teaching.
- A plan for the completion of preservice or other clinical training, if any, including student teaching.
- Additional instruction during the first semester of service, for interns teaching in kindergarten or grades 1 to 6 inclusive, in child development and teaching methods, and special education programs for pupils with mild and moderate disabilities.
- Instruction, during the first year of service, for interns teaching children in bilingual classes in the culture and methods of teaching bilingual children, and instruction in the etiology and methods of teaching children with mild and moderate disabilities.
The MOUs between SDSU and the school districts employing interns include the requirement listed precondition 4. The MOUs outline the requirements for the districts and the requirements of SDSU.
(a) In all internship programs, the participating institutions in partnership with employing districts shall provide 144 hours of support and supervision annually and 45 hours of support and supervision specific to teaching English learners pursuant to California Code of Regulations §80033.
(b) University Intern Programs only: No intern's salary may be reduced by more than 1/8 of its total to pay for supervision, and the salary of the intern shall not be less than the minimum base salary paid to a regularly certificated person. If the intern salary is reduced, no more than eight interns may be advised by one district support person. Reference: Education Code Section 44462. Institutions will describe the procedures used in assigning supervisors and, where applicable, the system used to pay for supervision.
(a) The MOU template between SDSU and districts hiring interns specifies the supervision requirements for the district and SDSU.
To receive program approval, the participating institution authorizes the candidates in an internship program to assume the functions that are authorized by the regular standard credential. Reference: Education Code Section 44454. The institution stipulates that the interns' services meet the instructional or service needs of the participating district(s). Reference: Education Code Section 44458.
SDSU works in collaboration with the employing school district or educational agency to ensure that candidates assume the functions that are authorized by the regular standard credential.
Participating districts are public school districts or county offices of education. Submissions for approval must identify the specific districts involved and the specific credential(s) involved. Reference: Education Code Sections 44321 and 44452.
We have MOUs with all participating district which are updated regularly in order to keep up to date with standards and expectations for both the district and the university.
Each intern program must make available to candidates who qualify for the option the opportunity to choose an early program completion option, culminating in a five year preliminary teaching credential. This option must be made available to interns who meet the following requirements:
(a) Pass a written assessment adopted by the commission that assesses knowledge of teaching foundations as well as all of the following:
- Human development as it relates to teaching and learning aligned with the state content and performance standards for K-12 students
- Techniques to address learning differences, including working with students with disabilities.
- Techniques to address working with English learners to provide access to the curriculum
- Reading instruction in accordance with state standards
- Assessment of student progress based on the state content and performance standards
- Classroom management techniques
- Methods of teaching the subject fields
(b) Pass the teaching performance assessment. This assessment may be taken only one time by an intern participating in the early completion option.
(c) Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (Multiple Subject Credential only).
(d) Meet the requirements for teacher fitness.
An intern who chooses the early completion option but is not successful in passing the assessment may complete his or her full internship program. (Reference: Education Code Section 44468).
Due to the small number of Interns in MS and SS programs, they are made aware of this option on an individual basis.
Each intern certificate will be valid for a period of two years. However, a certificate may be valid for three years if the intern is participating in a program leading to the attainment of a specialist credential to teach students, or for four years if the intern is participating in a district intern program leading to the attainment of both a multiple subject or a single subject teaching credential and a specialist credential to teach students with mild/moderate disabilities. Reference: Education Code Section 44325 (b).
Program coordinators and the Office for Student Success keep track of the length of time that candidates are enrolled in the credential program and ensure that they complete the work to earn a credential within the required amount of time or are no longer allowed to teach as interns.
The institution and participating districts must certify that interns do not displace certificated employees in participating districts.
We work with the districts on an individual basis with each intern to ensure that they are not displacing certificated employees.
When an institution submits a program for initial or continuing accreditation, the institution must explain why the internship is being implemented. Programs that are developed to meet employment shortages must include a statement from the participating district(s) about the availability of qualified certificated persons holding the credential. The exclusive representative of certificated employees in the credential area (when applicable) is encouraged to submit a written statement to the Committee on Accreditation agreeing or disagreeing with the justification that is submitted.
This was included with our initial program approval submission.
We provide internship credentials at the request of school districts who cannot find credentialed teachers. Here are letters of support for the internship program.
Intern programs must verify that candidates who are dually enrolled in a Bilingual Authorization program have attained a language proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing the target language that is equivalent to the passing standard on the appropriate CSET: World Languages language examination prior to recommending for the intern credential. This performance level is set at a minimum of ACTFL AdvancedLow for Western languages and ACTFL Intermediate-High for non-Western languages. Programs must submit evidence to the Commission which demonstrates how the program ensures that candidates meet the requirement. Reference: Education Code Section 44325(c)(4).
SDSU ensures that Candidates accepted into a Bilingual Intern Program Delivery model must have demonstrated language competence for the Bilingual Authorization via DLE 415 and DLE 515 or the equivalent CSET LOTE exams.
