Internship Pathway

The Single Subject Credential Program is a self-paced program allowing candidates to attend full or part time. To be intern eligible candidates must first apply to the University, complete the pre-requisite course in their first semester and apply to the program, then take the additional courses to be intern eligible in the second semester or summer session. Once intern eligible (see requirements above), candidates can then obtain a full-time teaching position and have up to 2 years to complete the remaining courses and student teaching requirements while working full time as a teacher of record. Below is a suggested intern course sequence:

Pre-requisites (12 units)

Note: EDSS 300 must be in progress or completed to apply to SSCP. EDSS 300, EDP 301/302/305, EDSE 436 & EDSE 457/458/459 must be completed with grades posted prior to being eligible to apply for an internship. Applications submitted while these courses are in progress will not be accepted. 

• EDSS 300 - Intro to Teaching (subject Area Specific) (3 units) - 35 hours Clinical Practice

You must earn a grade of B or better in EDSS 300 to be admitted to the SSCP.

• ED P 301/302/305- Child Development/Adolescent Development/Educational Psychology (3 units)
• EDSE 436 - Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Affirming Learning Environments (3 units) - 15 hours Clinical Practice **Candidates must be admitted to the program to take these courses.
• EDSE 457/458/459 - Reading and Writing in Secondary School (3 units) - 15 hours Clinical Practice **Candidates must be admitted to the program to take these courses.

Co-Requisites & Core Courses (15 units)

Co-Requisites (7-9 units)

Can be taken at any time but must be completed prior to student teaching.

• HSC 411B – Health Science for Secondary Teachers
• EDSP 355B – Collaborative Models of Inclusive Education
• Level I Technology - Candidates may satisfy the Level I technology course in one of the following ways:
  • 3 unit Technology Course
    • Art - ART 305
    • English - ENGL 337
    • Math - MTED 301
    • World Lang - RGR 470
    • PE - KIN 354
    • ETEC 444 - All Subject Areas
  • 1-unit Assessment Only Course
    • ETEC 411

*Candidates in the Science program do not need an additional technology course since it is embedded into 450C, which for science, is a 4 rather than 3 unit class.
**Candidates that complete the Music subject matter preparation program at CSULB do not need an additional technology course.

Core Courses (12 units)

Students must be admitted to the program to take core classes.

• EDSE 435 – US Secondary Schools: Intercultural Education - 15 Hours Clinical Practice
• EDSS 450* - Curriculum and Methods in Teaching - 25 Hours Clinical Practice
  EDSS 450 for Dance and Health are offered during the Spring semester only.
  EDSS 450 for Music is offered during the Fall semester only.

Student Teaching (18 units)

• EDSS 572A - Intern Student Teaching (7 units)
• EDSS 572B - Intern Student Teaching (8 units)
• EDSS 473 - Student Teaching Seminar (3 units) 
   

Intern Course Sequence

SSCP is a self-paced program. Candidates may attend either part time or full time. Below is a recommended SSCP course sequence:

Semester 1 - 12-15 units

• EDSS 300 - Intro to Teaching (3 units)
• EDSP 355B -
• H SC 411B - Health Science for Secondary Teachers (3 units)
• ED P 301/302/305 - Child Development/Adolescent Development/Educational Psychology (3 units)
• Level I Tech

Semester 2 - 6 units (can be in the summer)

• EDSE 436
• EDSE 457/458/459

*Candidates are internship eligible after the successful completion of semester 2 courses.

Semester 3 - 8 units

• EDSE 435
• EDSS 450
• EDSS 597

Semester 4 - 18 units

• EDSS 572A
• EDSS 572B
• EDSS 473

For assistance with planning your program, contact the CED Student Success & Advising Center. 

To be eligible for an internship, SSCP Candidates must have met ALL of the following requirement:

• Be admitted to the Single Subject Credential Program
• Be a matriculated CSULB Student (Interns must be matriculated and enrolled in a course each semester they are an active SSCP Intern. Interns cannot take a Leave of Absence.)
• Hold a Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution in the US or equivalent.
• Have completed the Subject Matter Competency Requirement
• Have completed the US Constitution Requirement
• Have completed (with grades posted) the following pre-requisite courses: EDSS 300,l EDP 301/302/305, EDSE 436, EDSE 457/458/459.
• Candidates in the BILA pathway must demonstrate language competency through passage of the BILA CSET subtest III prior to internship eligibility.

NOTE: Being offered an internship position by a district does not guarantee that an internship will be approved. 

Once candidates have completed ALL of the above requirements (with grades posted for the courses listed above), they are eligible for an internship and can request an Internship Eligibility Letter by clicking below to provide school districts when applying for teaching positions. Processing time for Intern Eligibility Letters is 2-4 weeks. 

Request an Internship Eligibility Letter

Candidates find their own employment and complete an additional intern application with the Single Subject Credential Program and with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Candidates must consult with their Credential Program Advisor and the Single Subject Credential Program as they explore the possibility of doing an internship.

All candidates, including interns, are required to complete the student teaching requirement. Candidates approved for an internship use their full time teaching position as their student teaching placement. Interns are held to all the same requirements as traditional student teachers the only difference is that they are working full time as a teacher of record and complete the requirements in their own classroom. 

To student teach, interns must meet all requirements for traditional student teaching, including timely submission of the student teaching application. When approved for student teaching, Interns register for 15 units of Intern Student Teaching (EDSS 572 A and B) and the 3-unit Student Teaching Seminar (EDSS 473) as scheduled by their program.  A University Mentor observes the intern periodically during the term, conferences with the intern after site visits, and provides required support.  The school provides a Site Support Teacher (Mentor Teacher) who functions as the Intern’s on-site mentor.  The Site Support Teacher/Mentor Teacher must hold a clear credential in the same authorization area that the intern candidate is seeking. The school site also provides required support outlined in the internship agreement. 

Interns are evaluated by the University Mentor and the Mentor Teacher at midterm and at the end of the semester.  In conference, evaluations are reviewed, discussed, and signed.  The performance areas and indicators on the Evaluation Form are closely linked to the California Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). Interns are also subject to the evaluation practices and requirements of their school site. 

University Admission

• Admission to the credential program is separate from admission to the university.
• Post-Bacc students must apply to the university at calstate.edu/apply by the published deadline.
• Most candidates:
  • Apply to the university first (to complete prerequisites), then apply to the program.
• Some candidates:
  • Apply to the university and program simultaneously if prerequisites are already completed.
• ⚠️ University admission does not guarantee program admission.

Steps to Apply for the MSCP Internship Pathway

Step 1: Secure a Teaching Position

• Obtain a full-time teaching position as the teacher of record.
• Confirm that CSULB has an Internship Agreement with your district.
• Contact your Subject Area Faculty Coordinator immediately to discuss the position and ensure that the position meets all of the program requirements for student teaching and is in your subject area's service area.(Not all districts listed on the Credential Center’s website are approved by all programs. Check with your Subject Area Faculty Coordinator for program specific service areas.)
• Obtain an Offer of Employment on district letterhead including:
  • District and school site
  • Start date
  • Grade level/assignment
  • The type of credential or permit you will be employed under.

Step 2: Complete the Pre-Internship Application to initiate the approval process.

Prior to completing the Pre-Internship Application you must have an official offer in writing from your district HR. You will need to upload this to the Pre-Internship Application. 

Click here to complete Pre-Internship Application

⚠️ Important Deadline Policy

• Internships cannot be approved after census (week 4 of the semester).
• If you receive an offer after census, approval will be delayed until the next semester.

Deadlines for Pre-Internship Applications

Step 3: Program Review

• Once your Pre-Internship Application is submitted:
  • The Student Success & Advising Center (SSAC) will review eligibility.
  • The application is sent to your Subject Area Program Coordinator for review.
  • If approved, the Faculty Intern Coordinator will contact you to schedule your Step 4 meeting.

Step 4: Internship Application & Credential Recommendation

• Meet with the Faculty Intern Coordinator to review internship and application requirements.
• Submit your completed Internship Application (via DocuSign) for final approval. Must be submitted prior to the CSULB semester beginning for Student Teaching Interns or prior to census date for Pre-Student Teaching Interns.
• Once approved and all documents are in place:
  • You will be recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for your Internship Credential within 10-14 days of your application being approved by your program coordinator.
  • You will then receive an email from CTC with instructions to apply online with the CTC and pay the fee. Your credential will then typically be granted within 10-14 days.
• ✅ The Internship Credential is valid for 2 years.
  ✅ To earn your Preliminary Teaching Credential, all program requirements (including CalTPAs) must be completed.

Ongoing Requirements

• Remain in good standing in the program.
• Remain enrolled in at least one credential course (EDEL 597) each semester until program completion.
• Log weekly Intern support hours in MyCED.
• Prepare lesson plans for University Mentor when being observed
• Meet a minimum of 6 times throughout the semester with your University Mentor.
• Attend Mandatory Program Workshops.
• Interns cannot take a Leave of Absence.

The Early Completion Intern Option (ECO) is intended to provide individuals who have requisite skills and knowledge an opportunity to challenge the course work portion of a Multiple or Single Subject Intern Program and demonstrate pedagogical skills through a performance assessment while in a Commission-approved intern program.

To be eligible for the Early Completion Intern Option candidates must:

1. Be admitted to the Single Subject Credential Program and the Internship Pathway (See above)
2. Passage of the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK): Secondary (Test code 052)

If you have met the above requirements, schedule an appointment to meet with the program Internship Advisor.

Once admitted to the ECO pathway, interns must successfully pass the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) on the first attempt. Candidates that do not pass the TPA on the first attempt must complete the full program.