School of Education

Vision

To serve the educational needs of local, regional, and global communities, the School of Education advances innovative practice and leadership by generating, embracing, and promoting equitable and creative solutions.

Mission

The mission of the School of Education community is to collaboratively transform education.

We:

Create community through partnerships. Promote and foster social justice and educational equity. Advance innovative, student-centered practice. Inspire reflective teaching and learning. Conduct purposeful research. Serve the School, College, University, and Community.

Offices:

University Hall, Fourth Floor

Telephone:

(760) 750-4300

Director:

Laurie Stowell, Ph.D. (760) 750-4286

Student Services Director:

Shannon Cody (760) 750-4277

Credential Analysts:

Andi Shibata (760) 750-4292

Tyona Pacheco, MAOM

Christina Vejar, M.Ed.

Graduate Student Services Coordinator:

TBD

Credential Student Services Coordinator

Andi Shibata (760) 750-4292

Assessment Coordinator:

Kyle Landin (760) 750-4277

TPA Coordinators:

Suzie VanSteenbergen (760) 750-4278

Leah Ann Borrell (760) 750-4300

Faculty:

Xochitl Archey, Ph.D.

Rebecca Brooks, Ph.D.

Rong-Ji Chen, Ph.D.

Erika Daniels, Ed.D.

Annette Daoud, Ph.D.

Anne René Elsbree, Ph.D.

Ingrid Flores, Ed.D.

Elizabeth Garza, Ed.D.

Ana Hernandez, Ed.D.

Joni Kolman, Ph.D

Anthony Matranga, Ph.D.

Grace Park McField, Ph.D.

Moses K. Ochanji, Ph.D.

Janet L. Powell, Ed.D.

Patricia Prado-Olmos, Ph.D.

Jodi Robledo, Ph.D.

Sinem Siyahhan, Ph.D.

Brooke Soles, Ed.D.

Elsie Solis-Chang, Ed.D.

Patricia H. Stall, Ph.D.

Laurie P. Stowell, Ph.D.

Carol Van Vooren, Ed.D.

Manuel Vargas, Ph.D.

Laura Wendling, Ph.D.

Christiane Wood, Ph.D.

Grade Requirements

For all credential candidates in the Multiple-Subject, Integrated Credential Program, Special Education, Concurrent Special Education, Bilingual Authorization, Middle Level Certificate, and Single-Subject programs, the following grade requirements must be met:

Grading

All courses, except clinical practice, are graded A, B, C, D, F. Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) is given for clinical practice. The minimum acceptable final grade for the courses in the professional education sequence, including prerequisite courses, is C+ (2.3), but a B (3.0) average must be maintained.

For all School of Education programs, including teaching credential, specialist, and advanced credential, and the master’s programs, the following academic probation policy is in effect:

Academic Probation, Disqualification and Disenrollment

A credential candidate will be placed on academic probation if, during any academic term:

The cumulative GPA in all coursework in the professional education sequence (prerequisites, credential program, or clear credential courses) falls below 3.0; or
The credential candidate has been assigned grades of No Credit, Incomplete, or a letter grade below C+ in any two or more professional courses;
Further, a credential candidate will not be allowed to enter the advanced clinical practice if the candidate is (1) on academic probation, or (2) has not successfully completed all professional coursework, or (3) has a grade of “incomplete” for beginning clinical practice, or (4) has not completed subject matter competency, or (5) has not been issued a Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Certificate of Clearance, (6) does not provide TB clearance, (7) has not made successful progress in passing the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA).

Disqualification

A candidate in a credential program may be disqualified for any of the following:

A Certificate of Clearance is not obtained.
Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) are not met.
Candidate has not made satisfactory progress in passing the TPA.
During the academic probation period, the candidate fails to achieve a 3.0 GPA, and a minimum letter grade of C+ or better in all professional coursework.
Other Considerations. Post-baccalaureate candidates may repeat a course in which a grade of lower than C+ was received. Courses may be repeated only once.

Policy on Length of Time to Complete Teacher Credential Program

Due to the dynamic nature of changes in all academic disciplines, the School of Education requires candidates in full-time teacher credential programs to complete their coursework and clinical practice within a three-year time limit, commencing from the beginning of coursework in that program. There is a four-year time limit for candidates in part-time teacher credential programs, commencing at the beginning of coursework in that program. After reaching the time limit, candidates will be terminated from the program and will have to reapply to the program to be reinstated. Candidates may appeal to School of Education, Student Appeals Committee.

Disenrollment

A candidate may be disenrolled from a credential program if it is determined that the candidate will not likely achieve minimum academic requirements for the credential.

Admission Requirements

Admission CSU San Marcos

This step one applies to credential applicants new to CSUSM or CSUSM graduates.

Submit a credential application for California State University San Marcos online at: www2.calstate.edu/apply/Teaching-credential/

Transcripts: Send official transcripts to Office of Admissions from each university and college attended.

Grade-Point Average. A student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 to be accepted into any credential program offered at CSUSM. If you do not have the required 2.5 GPA, conditional admission is available on a case by case limited basis.

Admission to a Specific Program

Program admission applies to all graduate credential applicants seeking admission to a SOE basic teacher training program bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degree or all undergraduate academic subjects must be satisfied before entering a teacher education program unless students are enrolled in the Intergrade Teacher Preparation Program (ITEP).

Basic Skills and Subject Matter Competence

Basic Skills Options: CBEST (California Basic Skills Examination). For additional information concerning the basic skills requirement and other options to meet this requirement please contact the CEHHS Student Services Office.

Subject Matter Competency: CSET or Subject Matter Waivers. Teacher candidates in California are required to demonstrate competence in the subject matter they will be authorized to teach. Subject matter competency must be completed prior to admission to the program. Please note: Conditional admission will be considered on a limited basis; however, state program standards prohibit advanced clinical practice until subject matter competence is met. Subject matter competence can be met through examination, a degree in the teaching discipline, or a combination of courses and subtests of the CSET exam. Information, test preparation, and registration is available online at: www.cset.nesinc.com.

Prerequisite Courses in Education. If taken at Cal State San Marcos, the courses must be completed within seven (7) years prior to beginning the program. If an equivalent course at another college or university has been taken, it must have been completed within five (5) years prior to beginning the program.

EDUC 350 – This required course serves as an orientation to careers in education. During this course, candidates participate in fifteen (15) hours of supervised fieldwork assignments in classroom settings. A Certificate of Clearance must be obtained as a requirement of this course as well as a TB risk assessment.

EDUC 364 – This required course must be taken prior to enrollment in the credential program. Requires fifteen (15) hours of field work.

EDUC 422 – This course must be taken prior to enrollment in the credential program. Requires fifteen (15) hours of field work.

CERTIFICATE OF CLEARANCE

Students must apply for a Certificate of Clearance during the admission process and must possess the clearance prior to entering a K-12 classroom or beginning the program. Instructions on applying for a Certificate of Clearance may be found at: http://www.csusm.edu/soe/currentstudents/formsandresources.html

A valid Emergency Permit will be accepted in lieu of a Certificate of Clearance. Expired Emergency Permits are not acceptable.

TUBERCULIN RISK ASSESSMENT

The tuberculin risk assessment certificate must be on file in the CEHHS Student Services before beginning the program. The clearance may be obtained at a private physician’s office, the County Health Department or the CSU San Marcos Student Health Center. TB Risk Assessment Certificate of Completion forms are available in the Student Services Office in University Hall, room 221.

OR online at https://www.csusm.edu/soe/documents/credential/new_tb_2019.pdf

TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Students must submit two current letters of recommendation preferably on official letterhead from faculty or others who are knowledgeable about the student’s personal qualities and potential. It is highly recommended that one letter be written by a public-school teacher or administrator.

INTERVIEW(S), INCLUDING WRITING SAMPLE

The Interview process may include an individual interview, a group interview, and on-site submission of a writing sample from prompt. Interviews for qualified candidates are conducted by program coordinators, faculty, and, public school teachers and administrators. Candidates will be notified by mail or email to make arrangements for the interview(s) after the application deadline.

PROGRAM CO-REQUISITES

Co-requisites must be completed before or during the program and are required before recommendation of initial credential.

U.S. Constitution Requirement

Knowledge of the U.S. Constitution demonstrated by completion of a two-semester unit college-level course or a college-level examination. You can test out of this requirement by taking either of these two exams: http://www.usconstitutionexam.com/ or https://extension.ucsd.edu/courses-and-programs/u-s-constitution-preparation-course-and-examination

If you are a CSU graduate, you have fulfilled the Constitution requirement.

Health Education Requirements

Prior to issuance of an initial credential, a health course must be completed which covers:

Nutrition
Physiological and sociological effects of abuse of alcohol, narcotics and drugs
Use of tobacco

b. You must also have valid CPR training that covers Infant, Child and Adult

RICA Requirement

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires passing the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). Passing one of two components of RICA, either a comprehensive examination or a performance assessment, is a requirement for the initial issuance of a Multiple Subject Credential. The assessment cannot be taken until you have completed the Language and Literacy course which is part of the credential program.

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or tax payer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs, to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available from CSUSM CEHHS Student Services, University Hall 221, (760) 750-4277.

Statement of Concern and Performance Improvement Contract

According to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, candidates in professional programs must demonstrate competence in knowledge, skills, and attitudes/dispositions as outlined in the program standards. The Statement of Concern (SOC) procedure is designed to support candidate success by identifying issues early and providing a course of action.

Should a candidate perform unsatisfactorily in coursework or clinical practice field experiences by failing to meet one or more program standards by the end of the semester, she/he will receive a grade less than a C+ in a course or a “no credit” grade in clinical practice.

A Statement of Concern and Performance Improvement Contract is issued during coursework or clinical practice when informal means of coaching have not been successful. No more than two Statements of Concern and Performance Improvement Contracts will be issued to any single candidate in any program under any circumstances. If a candidate is determined to possibly warrant a third Statement of Concern and Performance Improvement Contract, in either coursework or clinical practice, a conference must be held with the Candidate, Course Instructor (if applicable), University Supervisor (if applicable), Clinical Practice Coordinator, Program Coordinator, and Associate Dean to determine an immediate and appropriate course of action, which may include immediate disqualification from the program.

A Statement of Concern and Performance Improvement Contract will immediately be issued when a Candidate:

Endangers students or others;
Violates recognized codes of conduct, e.g. CSUSM Student Code of Conduct, CSUSM Academic Honesty Policy NEA Code of Ethics, CA Education Code Section 44932;
Is dismissed from the classroom or school site by the Cooperating Professional or district administrator.

Because of the variation in program standards and candidate performance, there is no one outcome for a Statement of Concern and Performance Improvement Contract. Rather, the outcome is individualized to address candidate needs, meet credential requirements, and maintain program integrity.

Further information about the SOC may be found in the Statement of Concerns Guidelines posted on the School of Education web site.

Professional Licensure and Certification

For more information regarding professional licensure and certification, visit:

Prospective students https://www.csusm.edu/soe/prospectivestudents/index.html

Current students https://www.csusm.edu/soe/current/index.html