Credential and Permit Definitions
Intern Credential
University intern programs are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and administered by California colleges and universities. The university internship credential program allows individuals to complete requirements for the preliminary or preliminary credentials while being certified to serve as instructors. University Internship Programs require a cooperative agreement between employing school districts and the universities. The internship agreement requires the district to make paid intern positions available and the university to provide the courses of study and candidate supervision. Internship Teaching Credentials are issued by the Commission and allow individuals to teach while completing course work for the preliminary or preliminary credential. At Dominican, candidates may teach on the following intern credentials:
- Multiple Subject Intern Credential
- Single Subject Intern Credential
- Education Specialist Intern Credential
Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject Teaching Credential
This is the credential that multiple and single subject candidates will apply for at the end of their Dominican program. The credential authorizes you to teach in a California public school at a salary determined by a district’s salary schedule for “certificated” personnel. The credential means that you are No Child Left Behind [1] qualified.This non-renewable credential is valid for five years and provides two options to obtain the clear credential for candidates who complete a SB 2042 credential program:
- Completion of a Commission-approved SB 2042 Professional Teacher Induction Program; OR
- Completion of a SB2042 Clear Credential Program. This option is for those individuals teaching in a school where an induction program is not available (such as a private school). Requirements vary by program.
[1] No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires local school districts to ensure that all teachers hired to teach core academic subjects in Title I programs after the first day of the 2002-03 year are highly qualified. In general a “highly qualified teacher” is one with full certification, a bachelor’s degree and demonstrated competence in subject knowledge and teaching. (Core subjects include English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history and geography.) The act also calls for all teachers of the core academic subjects (teaching in Title I programs or elsewhere) to be highly qualified by the end of school year 2005-06.
Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential
The Preliminary Education Specialist Credential authorizes candidates to seek initial employment as a special educator. Candidates will need to complete a clear credential preparation program in special education within five years of the date of issuance of the Preliminary Credential in order to continue ongoing teaching service as a special educator. In order to complete the clear credential program, candidates may select to enroll in an induction program or complete clear coursework through a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved university credential program.
Provisional Internship Permit
Employing districts may request the multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist Provisional Internship Permit when a suitable credentialed teacher cannot be found after a diligent search. To be eligible for a Provisional Internship Permit, a candidate must meet all intern requirements, (see Chapter 4 of this handbook) except the subject matter requirement. (See Provisional Internship Permit Information Leaflets at the California Teaching Commission website: www.ctc.ca.gov.) This is a one-year permit which can be renewed for one additional year.
Short-Term Staff Permit
Employing agencies may request the multiple subject, single subject, or education specialist Short-Term Staff Permit when an employer needs to staff a classroom immediately because of illness, approved leave, or enrollment adjustments. To be eligible for a Short-Term Staff Permit, a candidate must have a bachelor’s degree or higher, have met the basic skills requirement and completed a specified number of semester units of appropriate non-remedial course work with a “C” or better. (See short term staff permit leaflet at the California Teaching Commission website: www.ctc.ca.gov.) This permit will be issued for no more than one year or more than once to an individual.
Subject Matter Authorizations
A Subject Matter Authorization allows you to add additional subject matter content to your multiple subject or single subject teaching credential for teaching introductory subjects for grade levels 9 and below in NCLB core academic subject areas. NCLB core academic subject areas are English, reading/language arts, math, science, foreign language, civics/government, economics, arts, history, and geography. It is particularly useful for teaching in middle schools. A Subject Matter Authorization makes a teacher “highly qualified” or NCLB compliant. Additional specific subjects are also available.
The requirement is met through submitting to the state verification of coursework in each of the topics specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Subject Matter Authorizations require 32 semester units of non-remedial course work or a collegiate major in the subject. Introductory subject matter authorizations require a minimum of three semester units of course work in each content area across a subject area (science requires six semester units in each of four science content areas). Information on subject matter authorization is available from a credential analyst at Dominican University. Candidates apply for Subject Matter Authorizations directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, not through Dominican, unless applied for at the time of a preliminary credential application.
Supplementary Authorizations
A Supplementary Authorization allows you to add additional subject matter content to your multiple subject or single subject teaching credential for teaching introductory subjects grade levels 9 and below in specific subject areas. It is particularly useful for teaching in middle schools. A Supplementary Authorization does not make a teacher “highly qualified” or NCLB compliant.
The requirement is met through submitting to the state verification of coursework in each of the topics specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Generally speaking, 10 semester units of upper division study or 20 semester units of a combination of lower division and upper division study is required. Most subjects have specific topical requirements. Information on supplemental authorizations is available from a credential analyst at Dominican University. Candidates apply for Supplementary Authorizations directly to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, not through Dominican, unless applied for at the time of a preliminary credential application.
