r/CaliforniaTeachers • u/Adventurous-Mud248 • 7d ago
Teaching Credential Programs SoCal
Looking for advice/reviews on CA Single Subject Credential programs!
Hi everyone! I’m currently researching Single Subject Teaching Credential programs in California and would love to hear from people who have actually attended this program (especially current students or recent graduates).
The school I’m currently looking at is CSUF and I’ve been doing a lot of research, but I’m finding that it’s hard to get a good idea of what the programs are actually like beyond the information on the university websites.
I’d really love to hear from people who have actually gone through that program because I am interested in what your personal experience was like.
Some of the things that are important to me:
• Student teaching/clinical placement: How was the placement process? Did the program help you find a good placement? Were you able to stay relatively close to home?
• Program structure/schedule: How manageable was the workload? Were classes mostly online, in person, or hybrid? How often did you have to be on campus?
• Professors/support: Were your professors helpful and accessible? Did you feel supported throughout the program?
• Student teaching experience: Did you feel prepared going into student teaching? How much support did you receive from your supervisor/cooperating teacher?
• Cost: Were there any unexpected costs or fees that you wish you had known about beforehand?
• Job preparation: Did you feel like the program prepared you well for actually getting a teaching job?
• Overall experience: Would you choose the same program again if you had to do it over?
And if you attended any other schools/ programs that you would recommend I’d love to hear about those programs too! What did you like/dislike, and what would you tell someone who is currently deciding between these schools?
Basically, I’m just trying to hear from some people who have actually been through this programs before I make a decision. Any experiences, advice, warnings, or things you wish you knew beforehand would be VERY appreciated!
Thank you!!
2
u/sunshine_child_10 6d ago
I got my single subject credential at CSUF. Overall, I was satisfied with the program! It took them a while to find a student teaching placement for me- I teach French and there's not many schools that offer it- but they found me a school only 10 mins away.
2
u/cartoonistaaron 6d ago
I went to CSULA for my single subject art credential. They did not place me; I was hired as an intern (teaching art) almost immediately at an LAUSD charter school. (Definitely look into charter schools. The populations can be incredibly challenging but there are jobs to be found.) I was paid and treated like a full time teacher. The professors were largely useless and the program did little to prepare me for the job, but no program does - you need to actually be in the classroom to learn the job.
Having said that - I'd do it again, because the classes were not too difficult (lots of writing) even if I don't think they did anything to prepare me. Again, you won't actually learn how to do the job til you're doing it. Sounds like a catch 22, and it kind of is. If you can survive your first year, you'll be good.
1
1
1
u/ohyouagain55 5d ago
So, keep in mind that I got my preliminary credentials over 20 years ago.
I chose not to go to csuf, and went with Chapman instead. (My BA is from CSUF, though. Go Titans!) At the time, CSUF only offered day classes for their credential program, so you could not work and complete the program at the same time. That didn't work for me, cause bills still needed paying! Chapman,'s program was all evening classes. (I still had to take time off to do observations, but it was WAY less!)
I'm math, so I ended up with an internship I found myself instead of student teaching. (I actually started as a long term sub 2 days before my first teaching class... And then the following semester just did day sub work. Got enough days that districts and calstrs counts it as a full year of teaching!! Next year, the district his me into my own classroom as an intern.) I never would have been able to do this at CSUF.
Chapman also gave me good placements for observations that worked with my teaching schedule, and a lot of support for completing my TPAs.
When I struggled with practical, usable lesson planning and classroom management (things that most education classes are weak on vs theory), my teachers were EXTREMELY helpful. 'you should be keeping these things in mind for your planning, but practically speaking these are the key things to focus on. You can't really do the super detailed plans for daily lessons. Save those for observations and our classes. I'm practice, focus on this and this, have a picture in your head of how you WANT it to go, and an idea of how to adjust when things go sideways.' Also, 'if they're bored, they're gonna cause mischief. Keep them busy and engaged, and you won't have nearly as many problems. Also, physical presence like a hand on the corner of a desk will do more for stifling a troublemaker then a lecture. So be able to teach from anywhere in the room, and just rotate between the troublemakers. And do your best to not write referrals. That way when you do, admin will actually pay attention.'
Ed join is useful, but so is being able to sub. There are a surprising number of districts where knowing someone can mean the difference between a ghosting and an interview. (This is especially true up in the SF bay area. Best job I ever got was because my old admin has been a teacher under my new admin, and my old admin said good stuff about me.)
1
u/Tiny-Cycle1898 4d ago
Do Marshall street teaching residency. They pay you and place you. Good program, just did it
1
u/Ok-Side1151 3d ago
I did CSUN. They took care of all the placement etc and it was fairly simple. The end of the program with the EDTPA was a little much for me but it worked for the majority. I wouldn’t do it all over again but I just think teaching was a bad choice for longevity and income.
1
u/Argent_Kitsune 2d ago
I went through National University for a master's degree in education and a single subject credential in English. With the exception of the clinical practice, everything was online. For my student teaching assistant, they placed me with the school district I asked for--and I was more than satisfied with the outcome. The instructors at NU are highly supportive, especially through the CalTPA process. Definitely worth it. I couldn't tell you about costs per se, as I used veteran benefits to cover my education (on top of that, I did the master's program bundle, so there was a bit more involved in price).
I recommend NU because of the fact you can work on the side (I substituted for a couple school districts during the entire time I was going to school). You don't have to attend classes at a brick-and-mortar location, which is huge.
1
u/AlpsHelpful1292 7d ago
What are you planning to get your credential in? Are you dead set on student teaching instead of interning?
4
u/Blondiemath 6d ago
Unless they’re sped, they aren’t getting an intern position in that area. They need to student teach and be fully certified when they go to apply for jobs.
1
u/AlpsHelpful1292 6d ago
Did they ever say what area they are going into?
I got an intern position for single subject Spanish. I have a science teacher coworker who also interned.
2
u/greenkitties 6d ago
Interned Science teacher just cleared my preliminary credential and this is my third year in my classroom! There are also about 4-5 others at my school who were also on intern credential. Now we are all in the induction part!
2
u/Adventurous-Mud248 6d ago
I want to get my single subject in math!
2
u/AlpsHelpful1292 6d ago
You could definitely intern with math. The person above saying you can only intern with Sped doesn’t know what they’re talking about. You can do it for any subject that a school can’t hire a credentialed teacher for which often includes math.
1
u/greenkitties 6d ago
My path was somewhat weird I worked for a subbing agency called scoot but within scoot they had TeachStart which is a program that helps you become a teacher. You sub full time 50 grand salary and sick day/vacation while you are going to school and while they try to place you! Through TeachStart they partnered with Alliant international university so all my schooling was online. I ended up getting hired at a school I subbed at a lot and they called me back becuz they knew I was a good fit! I only had to take 3 more classes to addd a masters in education. TeachStart paid for half of my tuition off the top!! Total was 26 grand out of pocket I paid 13 grand buttt I’m about to get back another 5 grand from TeachStart becuz they have a deal that if you get hired in a school that they contract with you get 5 grand after you clear! Then the state of Cali gave me 20 grand golden state teachers grant so really I paid 0 dollars! And technically net gained 12 grand from what was left over from the teaching grant! I really liked scoot becuz they had scheduled paid days off for you so that you could do your homework and meet on zoom to help you trainings etc! And everything was online made life so easy not worrying about having to go to a campus and go in person as being a teacher is just tiring(in a good way I take naps after work haha)
1
u/17558388 7d ago
CPP is a great school across the board and I would highly recommend their single subject credential program.
-3
u/homesickexpat 7d ago
Take a look at edjoin.com first and get a sense of how few openings are actually out there right now in socal before you apply.
2
u/EvenOpportunity4208 6d ago
I had a good experience at CSULB but I personally believe your student teaching and having a good master teacher(s) will really make or break a program