Changes to the

Admission Requirements forthe

Multiple-Subject TeachingCredential Programs

Replace the current text on pages 238 and 239 in the Catalog with the following:

Step One:Admission to College of Education (COE).

This step applies to graduate credential applicants new to CSUSM or CSUSM graduates that have NOT completed pre-requisite courses.

  1. Submit a Graduate application for California State University San Marcos on-line at: Send official transcripts to Office of Admissions from each university and college attended.
  2. Submit an application to the College of Education at with the following supporting documentation:
  3. An official transcript with bachelor’s degree posted
  4. Grade-Point Average. A student must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.67 to be accepted into any credential program offered at CSUSM. If you do not have the required 2.67 GPA, conditional admission is available on a limited basis.
  5. Certificate of Clearance. The Certificate of Clearance is a professional fitness requirement set by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for all individuals participating in activities in K-12 schools. Candidates must apply for a valid Certificate of Clearance on-line. Please contact the COEStudentServicesCenter for specific directions on application.
  6. One Letter of Recommendation. A recommendation from classroom faculty and/or others knowledgeable about the candidate’s personal qualities and potential must be submitted with the application to the College of Education.

Step Two:Admission to a Specific Program.

Program admission applies to all graduate credential applicants seeking admission to a COE basic teacher training program. Please note: If you did not need to complete step one, you will be required to complete all program admission requirements listed below. If you completed Step One of the admission process, you will be credited with requirements met in the step one process.

1. Two (2) Applications. Application toboth the University and College ofEducation. If admitted as a CSUSM graduate student in Step 1, admission to university does not need to be repeated in Step 2.

2. Application Fees. A $25 credentialapplication fee is due upon applicationto a credential program. A universityapplication fee is also required.

3. Bachelor’s Degree. A Bachelor’s degreeor all undergraduate academic subjectsmust be satisfied before entering ateacher education program. Candidatesmay enter the credential program as anundergraduate and use the units in thecredential program as electives toobtain a bachelor’s degree. Abachelor’s degree is a requirement forteacher certification. A candidate maypetition for 12 units concurrentpostbaccalaureate credit the first weekof instruction during the last semester before graduation ONLY. Petitions areavailable in the Office of Registrationand Records. Please note: Completionof a bachelor’s degree from Cal StateSan Marcos requires submission of agraduate application to enroll inpostbaccalaureate or graduate coursework.

4. Subject Matter Competency. Teachercandidates in California are required todemonstrate competence in the subjectmatter they will be authorized to teach.Subject matter competency must becompleted prior to admission to theprogram. Please note: Conditionaladmission will be considered on alimited basis; however, state programstandards prohibit advanced clinicalpractice until CSET: Multiple Subjects ispassed. The examination consists ofthree (3) subtests:

Subtest I: Reading Language andLiterature; History and Social Sciences,Test Code 101

Subtest II: Science; Mathematics, TestCode 102

Subtest III: Physical Education; HumanDevelopment; Visual & Performing Arts,Test Code 103.

Information, test preparation, and registrationis available online at:

5. Basic Skills Examination. Candidatesmust TAKE one of the options forsatisfying the Basic Skills Requirementprior to entering a teacher educationprogram. Candidates must PASS oneof the basic skills options to qualify forAdvanced student teaching.

Basic Skills Options: Pass all threesubtests of the CSET Multiple Subjectexamination in addition to the CSET Writing Skills examination, Subtest IV:Writing Skills, Test Code 142 ORCBEST (California Basic SkillsExamination)

6. Prerequisite Courses in Education. Iftaken at Cal State San Marcos, thecourse must be completed withinseven (7) years prior to beginning theprogram. If an equivalent course atanother college or university has beentaken, it must have been completedwithin five (5) years prior to beginningthe program.

a) EDUC 350 – This required courseserves as an orientation to careers ineducation. During this course, candidates participate in forty-five (45)hours of supervised fieldwork assignmentsin classroom settings.

Candidates must submit a recommendationletter from a K-12 classroomteacher. A Certificate of Clearancemust be obtained as a requirement ofthis course.

b) EDUC 364 – This required coursemust be taken prior to enrollment inthe credential program.

c) EDUC 422 – Before admission toprogram, candidates must havecompleted a basic computer course orpassed an assessment. In addition,candidates must obtain competency inusing a set of education specificelectronic tools by completing EDUC422 or portfolio to the specificationsfound at

7. One Set of Official Transcripts. Oneofficial set of transcripts from each ofthe colleges or universities attendedmust be mailed directly to the CalState San Marcos Office ofAdmissions. If admitted as a CSUSM graduate student in Step 1, an additional set of transcripts is not required in Step 2.

8. Grade-Point Average. A student musthave a cumulative grade point average(GPA) of 2.67 to be accepted into anycredential program offered at Cal StateSan Marcos. If you do not have therequired 2.67 GPA, conditionaladmission is available on a limitedbasis.

9. Three Letters of Recommendation.Recommendations from classroomfaculty and/or others knowledgeableabout the candidate’s personalqualities and potential must besubmitted with the program application.One recommendation must befrom a K-12 classroom teacher. Go to for letter ofrecommendation guidelines.

10. Personal Interview for qualifiedcandidates conducted by educationfaculty committee. Candidates arenotified by mail to make arrangementsfor the interview after theapplication deadline.

11. Writing Samples. Writing samples arerequired and are program-specific.

Please note: The CaliforniaCommission on Teacher Credentialingrequires passing the Reading

Instruction Competence Assessment(RICA) before certification. Passingone of two components of RICA,either a comprehensive examinationor a performance assessment, is arequirement for the initial issuance of aMultiple Subject or Special EducationCredential. Candidates cannot takethe RICA until they have successfullycompleted the Language and Literacycourses which are part of the credentialprogram. The CSU San MarcosCollege of Education RICA pass ratefor 2006-2007 is 99%.