Catalog

Preliminary Single Subject Credential (Middle and High School)

Dr. Lu Chang
Director
(650) 508-3703
lchang@ndnu.edu

The Department of Education offers a program of professional preparation for the California Single Subject Credential, approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This credential authorizes service in departmentalized settings usually in middle schools and high schools. NDNU's Single Subject Credential program is postbaccalaureate and requires a full fifth year, or 31 semester units, of study. The concurrent program at NDNU offers students the opportunity to complete the professional course work and two student teaching experiences within a calendar year.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a Preliminary Single Subject Credential

  • Candidates will be able to engage and support all students in learning.
  • Candidates will be able to create and maintain effective environments for student learning.
  • Candidates will be able to understand and organize subject matter for student learning.
  • Candidates will be able to plan instruction and design learning experiences for all students.
  • Candidates will be able to assess student learning.
  • Candidates will be able to develop as professional educators.

Single Subject Credential candidates typically spend one semester of student teaching at the middle or junior high school level and one semester at the high school level. These student teaching experiences are intended to take place in culturally diverse schools with students from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Students work at two of the many public school districts with which we have contracts.

School districts occasionally offer qualified Single Subject Credential candidates the opportunity for a paid internship in lieu of student teaching, provided that 120 hours of specified course work has been completed and the student has applied for and been issued by the CTC, a university internship credential.

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 15 semester units of credit at Notre Dame de Namur University, including at least one semester of student teaching in the teacher preparation program in order to be eligible to be recommended for a teaching credential.

The following summarizes the requirements for the preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential recommendation through NDNU. Asterisked items are required for advancement to student teaching or internship eligibility:

  1. *Prerequisite: Verification of 40 hours of pre-acceptance field experience by completing NDNU’s course, EDU2006, or by teaching or volunteer experience completed with appropriate age in a school setting. Provide the original form signed by the site supervisor, or provide official letter of verification from the site. 
  2. Successfully complete student teaching and required courses
  3. Pass the Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT)
  4. *Passage of Basic Skills Requirement (e.g., CBEST or for more options, see http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl667.pdf)
  5. *Verification of Subject Matter Competence (e.g., CSET in appropriate teaching area or approved subject matter waiver)
  6. *Verification of fingerprinting clearance on file with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (also called a “Certificate of Clearance”). For more information, see http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl271.pdf).
  7. *Copy of negative TB test result from within two years
  8. *Signed NDNU Release of Liability Form
  9. Verification meeting the U.S. Constitution requirement by exam, course work, or CSU degree
  10. CPR training in infant, child, and adult; training must meet standards of American Heart Association or American Red Cross and be current at time of credential filing.
Required Courses Units
   
EDU4100                    Psychological and Developmental Foundations         3
EDU4104                    Sociological and Multicultural Foundations  3
EDU4107                    Foundations for Teaching English Learners     3
EDU4110                    Special Education for the Classroom Teacher      2
EDU4113                    Technology Applications in Education         1
EDU4116                    Health Education 1
EDU4119                    Assessment in the Classroom     2
EDU4400                    Orientation to Teaching         1
EDU4404                    Teaching and Pedagogy       2
EDU4407                    Secondary Curriculum  2
EDU4410                    Language and Literacy in the Content Areas      3
EDU4442                    Student/Intern Teaching/Seminar  
EDU4445                    Student/Intern Teaching/Seminar  
   
Total Unit Requirement       31

NDNU students enrolled in its credential programs may articulate designated courses up to 12 NDNU units toward a selected master’s degree. Candidates should contact the Program Director of the master’s degree of interest for more information.

Clearing Your Teaching Credential
For teachers in nonpublic and other schools in which an induction program is unavailable,

see Master of Arts in Education with Curriculum and Instruction concentration.