PK-3 Credential Program Student Teaching

 

Fall 2026 PK-3CP Student Teaching Applications are due Sunday, March 15, 2025, by 5:00pm

Student Teaching is the culminating clinical practice experience in the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program (PK-3CP). It is completed during the final semester(s) of the program where PK-3CP candidates apply and integrate the pedagogy they have learned in their other course work to actual classroom experience. For some candidates, student teaching is a full-time five days per week experience for the length of the university semester. Candidates may be placed in public school TK-3 classrooms and public preschool classrooms. Placements are in classrooms in which the students are from a diverse cultural, linguistic, racial, ethnic, or socio-economic background, different from that of the Student Teacher. Prior to student teaching, all candidates must attend Student Teaching Orientation. This includes 2 parts: watch recording and attend in-person meeting. 

Student teachers also have the support of a University Mentor who observes and conferences with the student on a regular basis.  

See the PK-3CP Student Teacher Handbook for more details regarding the student teaching semester. 

All student teaching placements are made by the Office of Clinical Practice in consultation with the PK-3CP Coordinator. Self-Placements are not permitted. Be sure to complete the PK-3CP Placement Information form in Step 1 below to indicate your top 3 preferred districts. Every effort is made to place students in one of their three preferences; however, this is not always possible.  

For candidates that are pursuing the BILA Authorization that have met all of the requirements, every effort is made to secure a placement in a dual language classroom, however, this is not always possible. 

  • Complete all credential courses: Phase 1 and Phase 2 
  • If pursuing the BILA Authorization, all BILA requirements must be met at the time of student teaching application. All candidates must submit passing CSET Subtest III scores with their student teaching application. If taking courses in place of CSET subtest IV and V, candidates must show proof of enrollment in the courses with their student teaching application. Courses must be completed prior to beginning student teaching. Candidates that are using the CSET exam to meet the BILA requirements must submit passing scores for all subtests (III, IV and V) with their student teaching application. 
  • Maintain 3.0 GPA in pedagogy/methods courses with no grade lower than "C" in any program course. 
  • Provide valid CTC Clearance (Certificate of Clearance, Education Specialist Credential, Child Development Permit, Activity Supervisor Permit or valid 30-Day Sub Permit) Print from: CTC Look Up 
  • Valid TB clearance (Tests are valid for 4 years and must be valid through the end of the student teaching semester). If you don't have a current TB test, make an appointment with Student Health Services asap. 
  • Provide proof of a valid copy of infant, child and adult CPR Certification, if available. Required prior to recommendation of credentials. 
  • Submit a Complete application packet to the CED Student Success & Advising Center (CED SSAC) via Docusign. Incomplete and/or late applications will not be accepted. 

Complete applications must be submitted by Sunday, March 15, 2026 for Fall 2026 Student Teaching. 

Follow the steps below carefully to submit your Fall 2026 Student Teaching Application online. 

Step 1: Gather the Following Documents

  • Student Teaching Placement Information form - Click the link to complete the Placement Information form. This form MUST be completed PRIOR to submitting the application in step 2.
  • $25 Credit Card receipt. Take a screen shot of the receipt to upload with your application
  • MyCSULB Unofficial Transcripts - Download these from your MyCSULB Student Center and save them as a PDF.
  • Proof of CTC Clearance (Certificate of Clearance, Education Specialist Credential, Child Development Permit, Activity Supervisor Permit or 30-Day Sub Permit). Take a screen shot from the CTC website showing Document Number and Expiration Date.
  • Valid TB Test - skin tests, blood tests and risk assessments are valid for 4 years; chest x-rays are valid for 8 years. Must be valid through completion of student teaching.
  • Proof of Valid CPR – must provide a valid copy of infant, child and adult CPR Certification, if available. Required prior to recommendation of credential.

Step 2: Complete the Student Teaching Application, upload all the above items and submit prior to 5pm on March 15, 2026.

Fall 2026 Student Teaching Application Opens on January 15th

Contact the CED Student Success & Advising Center (CED SSAC) if you have any questions. 

Application that do not include passing CSET (if applicable) scores will not be accepted. Candidates that receive passing scores after the deadline may petition to submit their application after the deadline. Petitions must include passing scores and will be considered on a space available basis if placements are available. Do NOT submit a petition until you have official passing scores for all required exams.

 

Contact the CED Student Success & Advising Center at 562-985-1105 or stop by and see us in EED-18 if you have any questions.