Application & Requirements

Upload proof of payment to your online application with the Credential Application Fee form.

• For Stanislaus State students:  Choose one of 3 options:
  • pay through your student portal. Click "make a payment/view e-bill" and select "credential application" in the pop-up window
  • Send check/money order payable to CSU Stanislaus to Credential Services
  • pay at the Cashier's office (MSR 100) with code PS-1409 by cash, check or money order only
• For non-CSU Stanislaus students: Choose one of 2 options:
  • Send check/money order (payable to CSU Stanislaus) to Credential Services

Your statement of intent should be a maximum of two pages long and include the following:

• Your background in terms of coursework and early field experiences directly relevant to teaching in the subject you're applying to.
• The aptitudes and skills you have which you feel will help you in your selected profession.
• The strength of your commitment to your indicated profession.
• What you believe you need to learn in the program to prepare you for teaching.
• Your attitudes and experiences with individuals from diverse backgrounds that will assist you in the classroom

NOT REQUIRED FOR STAN STATE LIBERAL STUDIES MAJORS APPLYING TO MSCP/ESCP.

• For MSCP, ECEC PK-3, ESCP, or SSCP applicants, your references MUST complete an online form through Cal State Apply. Please see the Cal State Apply Walkthrough for more information. 
• For Stan State MSCP/ESCP LIBS majors ONLY: one reference must be a Stan State Liberal Studies professor.
• For ITCO/Early Start Libs applicants, your references may write a traditional letter or fill out Form II (included within the ITCO/Early Start application packet). OR, your required Libs reference may fill out the online Libs Recommendation Google Form. Please see the Application Instructions for Early Start Libs for more information. ​​​​​​​

4 options to satisfy BSR:

1.  B.A./B.S. Degree from a regionally accredited higher institution of education or foreign degree equivalent evaluation. If your B.A./B.S. degree is in progress please indicate term of completion in the BSR form. 
   • foreign degrees will need to be verified by an approved CCTC agency to prove foreign degree is equivalent to United States B.A/B.S.(Foreign Transcript Evaluation)
2. approved exams: CBEST, SAT, ACT, etc. (Score report from appropriate exam required)
3. approved coursework - Use this option ONLY if your B.A./B.S. Degree is NOT from a regionally accepted higher institution of education or foreign degree equivalent.  
   • 3 classes total: one in each area for reading, writing, and math
   • classes must be at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units
   • must be degree applicable
   • must have a letter grade of B- or high (or "CR" if taken as credit/no credit) 
4. combination of exams & coursework

Five options to satisfy SMC, please include ONE item for SMC in your application:

1. Approved Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP) for SSCP or ESCP ONLY
   • Subject Matter Preparation Verification*  - This form is used to verify completion of one of Stan State's Subject Matter Preparation programs. Please have the advisor in the subject area complete and sign the form before including it in your application. 
   • Non-Stan State students: A letter verifying Subject Matter Competency from another university - Must be signed by a CTC-approved signor. 
2. CSET Score Report: must submit proof of passage OR registration when submitting application.  You may register for your CSETs here: Visit CSET Registration website.
   • MSCP applicants will take the Multiple Subject CSET: (consists of 3 subtests) Subtest I (test code 101), Subtest II (test code 214) & Subtest III (test code 225).  Passage of at least 1 CSET is required for admission to program. ​​​
     • Passage of all CSETs is required to be eligible for clinical practice.
   • SSCP applicants will take the CSET exams for an approved Single Subject content area: art, business, English, Health Science, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, Spanish, and Theater
     • Passage of all CSETs is required to be eligible for clinical practice.
   • ESCP applicants may take either Multiple Subject CSET or CSET exams for an approved Single Subject content area: art, business, English, Health Science, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, Spanish, and Theater
     • Passage of all CSETs is required to be eligible for clinical practice.
3. Subject Matter Requirement (SMR):
   • 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 being sought
4. Combination of methods:
   • A combination of the methods described in #1-3 that meets or exceeds the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission.
5. Possess a bachelor's degree that matches the content area of the credential  
   • SMC Using Academic Major Form - This form may be used by students who are applying to the Multiple, Single, or Education Specialist programs whose academic major is the same as the content area for their credential. 
   • MSCP = Liberal Studies degree
   • SSCP = Math degree for Math credential, English degree for English Credential, P.E. degree for P.E. credential, etc. Major must be an exact match to subject content.
   • ESCP = may be Liberal Studies or one of the approved Single Subject majors:  art, business, English, Health Science, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, Spanish, and Theater

Valid clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is required for ALL applicants. It is highly recommended that you apply for this clearance at least 90 days prior to our program application deadline. 

• Certificate of Clearance Instructions Form 41-LSa* - This form will give you instructions on how to apply for the Certificate of Clearance.  You may also view instructions in this video by clicking the link: Applying for a Fingerprint Clearance Document Online
• Request for Livescan Services Form 41-LS.pdf* - This form is used for fingerprints. You will need to first get your fingerprints done to get your Certificate of Clearance, as explained in the instructions.
  • *If you already possess a valid sub permit, teaching credential, or other document from CCTC, you do NOT have to get a new Certificate of Clearance. We will accept existing documentation. 

Acceptable early field experiences include: classroom observation hours, substitute teaching, para-educator work and courses with observation hours. You can verify that early field experiences are completed by submitting a letter from the school on school letterhead indicating the the grade level, number of hours completed, and start and end dates.  If using coursework to satisfy requirement, please use the Verification of Early Field Experience Hours. 

• For SSCP : Applicants must complete at least 20 hours of documented early field experience in a grade 7-12 US classroom setting.
• For ESCP:  Applicants must complete at least 20 hours of documented early field experience in a grade K-12 US Special Education classroom setting.  
• For MSCP Non-LIBS ONLY:  Applicants must complete 45 hours of early field experience in a grade K-6 US classroom setting. 
• For Concurrent ESCP with MSCP: Applicant must complete 30 hours of early field experience in a grade K-6 US classroom setting as well as 15 hours in a grade K-12 US Special Education classroom setting. 
• For Concurrent ESCP with SSCP: Applicant must complete 10 hours of early field experience in a grade 7-12 US classroom setting as well as 10 hours in a grade K-12 US Special Education classroom setting. 
• For ECEC PK-3: Applicants must complete 50 hours of early field experience. Applicants can complete their observation hours while working with children from birth to grade 3. 
• NOT REQUIRED FOR STAN STATE LIBERAL STUDIES MAJORS APPLYING TO MSCP, ESCP, or Concurrent ESCP with MSCP. For Concurrent ESCP with SSCP, 10 hours in a grade 7-12 US classroom setting are required.

This form is used for students applying to the Multiple Subject, Single Subject, ECE PK-3, and Education Specialist Credential Program.

You will get this through your doctor's office or campus health center.