Credential Admission Requirements

All of our applicants must have been awarded a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The transcript from the college where you received your bachelor's degree will note your degree and the date you received it. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.67, with at least a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 units of their Bachelor's degree. GPA requirements for the Combined Credential + Masters can be found on the program's admissions page. 

Foreign Transcript Evaluations

A Foreign Transcript Evaluation must be completed when the degree was obtained outside the United States. This process requires a fee and may take several weeks in order to verify that the degree is equivalent to a bachelor's degree in the United States. For credential program applicants, it is important to use one of the vendors named below. These vendors are approved by both CSUMB and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Educational Records Evaluations Service, Inc.
International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
World Education Services, Inc.

Applicants must demonstrate Subject Matter Competency as part of the admission process to one of our programs. The Subject Matter Requirement must be met prior to enrollment in program coursework. Subject Matter Competency can be met in the following ways:

• B.A. or M.A. major from a regionally accredited institution that is accepted by CTC to meet Subject Matter Competency.  (Minors and concentrations do not meet this criteria)  
• Subject Matter Waiver Program (with Subject Matter waiver letter signed by the institution's Credential Analyst)
• Appropriate CSET exam
• Coursework evaluation for CSET Subject Area Domains
• Coursework evaluation plus CSET subtests to meet Subject Area Domains

Self-evaluate your Subject Matter Competency status and view options to satisfy the Subject Matter Requirement using the letter below:

Subject Matter Options Letter

Need help determining your Subject Matter status and options to meet the Subject Matter Requirement?

• Attend an Information Session
• Attend Zoom Drop-in hours (no appointment necessary)
• Schedule an in-person appointment with the Admissions Counselor, Shawna Gannon (sgannon@csumb.edu)
• Stop by Building 3 to check out a CSET test prep guide, free of charge!

Read more from CTC about all of the Subject Matter Competency options allowed by the state, found here.

Applicants must provide proof of experience working with culturally diverse adolescents or youth. This is demonstrated by providing each of the following:

• Resume showing academic experience & experience working with youth
• 3 recommendations from individuals who can attest to your potential, interest, activity working with children/youth, and past accomplishments relating to pursuing this credential
• Early Field Experience Verification Form or proof of service

US Constitution competency must be demonstrated by course or exam.

If you took an appropriate course at CSUMB, it will be verified on your transcripts. If you received your bachelor's degree from another CSU, you have met the requirement and it will be verified on your transcripts. If you took an appropriate course at another college, you will need to check with our credentials analyst and provide a course description from the college catalog.

There is one approved online exam which can be found at www.usconstitutionexam.com.

You must have a valid Certificate of Clearance, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. (Candidates may substitute a valid CTC-issued document for which livescan fingerprints were submitted.)

Certificate of Clearance by the CTC

Prior to field placement, all students are required to document negative results on a test for Tuberculosis done in the last four years. Most local clinics and doctor’s offices will perform the test. The Tuberculosis skin test (also known as the tuberculin test or PPD test) requires one visit to receive the injection, then a second visit 48‐72 hours later to examine the tested area. In rare instances, a test is inconclusive or shows signs of TB; this requires a chest x‐ray for more accurate information.

These are acceptable forms of documentation:

• Copy of official shot record showing PPD/Tuberculosis testing and negative results
• Copy of PPD/Tuberculosis results form (frequently includes a diagram of the arm and injection site)
• Original note from a doctor verifying the test was administered with negative results, including date
• Chest x‐ray form from a health care facility verifying negative results

Please note that any document you submit should clearly indicate your name, the name of your doctor or health care facility, and the dates, method, and results of the test.

Prior to field placement, all students are required to document Adult, Child, and Infant CPR certification, including First Aid. Here are some ways to become certified: 

Sign up for and pass a course offered by the American Red Cross. Be sure to enter your zip code and click “Go”.

Complete training online. Potential online CPR Certification programs can be found at cpraedcourse.com, cprtoday.com, infantcpr.com, profirstaid.com, simplecpr.com, pacificmedicaltraining.com. Make sure to get certification for Adult/Infant/Child (Adult/Pediatric).

These are acceptable forms of documentation:

• Valid certification card provided by the American Red Cross (or other authorized trainer)
• Valid certification card or print out provided by an online authorized trainer

If you are uncertain whether a course meets this requirement, please first check with our Credential Analyst, Christy Hanselka (formerly Jordan) via phone (831-582-3638) or email (chjordan@csumb.edu).

Applicants must complete an essay as proof of their writing ability. Essays are approximately 1-2 pages in length. The writing prompt will be provided in the supplementary application. 

Applicants who wish to join the program must attend an in-person interview, accompanied by an information session. Applicants will be presented information about their desired program and are given the opportunity to meet faculty, coaches, and field placement coordinators. 

Be on the lookout for information on these in-person days via email after completing your application through Cal State Apply.

To qualify for the Internship Credential, applicants must provide a copy of a contract or a Letter of Intent to Hire from a cooperating public school district in the tri-county area to teach at least half-time in an assignment that matches the credential pursued. Most school districts use EdJoin.org to find prospective employees. If you would like assistance using EdJoin, please contact Shawna Gannon at sgannon@csumb.edu or 831-582-4628. If you are hired and accepted into the Internship Pathway, you will require an Intern Support Provider.

Pre-Service preparation (preparation that occurs prior to the candidate walking into a classroom as the teacher of record) is required for the internship credential. This pre-service preparation is provided to candidates during the summer. All required summer courses must be passed prior to issuance of the internship credential. Required courses vary by credential.