Letters of Recommendation

All applicants must submit at least two letters of recommendation as part of their application. These letters should speak to your readiness to work with school-aged students and come from people who know you in a professional or academic context.

Important! Letters must be submitted by the application deadline. Be sure to ask your recommenders early to give them enough time to respond.

Who Should You Ask?

• Choose recommenders who know you in different capacities (e.g., professors, employers, supervising teachers).
  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.

How the Process Works

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.

Credential Recommendation Form (Optional for Professors and Instructors)

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

What Should the Letters Address?

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