School of Education and Leadership

Credentials Office

Terrance Hanna, Credentials Analyst
120 St. Mary's Hall (East Wing)
(650) 508-3545, thanna@ndnu.edu
Fax: (650) 508-3457

Hours

Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome, appointments preferred. If the staff is away from the office, please feel free to leave a message via phone, email, or slide a note under the door. You may also contact the main office at the School of Education & Leadership at (650) 508-3701.

  • About
  • Getting Your Credential
  • Forms
  • Required Documentation
  • PACT
  • Getting Your Clear Credential
  • Administrative Credentials
  • Other Information

About the Credentials Office

The Credentials Office provides support services to the students, faculty, and administration of NDNU's School of Education and Leadership. Services include answering questions for, and providing assistance to prospective and current students and providing both assistance with processing and a formal recommendation to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for program completers. All K-12 teaching and administrative credentials, permits and certificates are issued by the CTC. Credentials requiring the completion of a teacher education program are issued on the basis of a recommendation by the University, subject to satisfactory program completion.

The Credentials Office can assist you with

  1. answering questions
  2. the transition to student teaching/internship
  3. processing your certification paperwork.

It is the candidate's responsibility to understand certification requirements, fulfill program and statutory requirements and submit required documentation on time.

All NDNU credential programs meet program standards of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The answers to complex questions that are beyond the scope of this website can often be found on the Commisssion's website.

Questions about Masters degrees, programs, courses and requirements should be directed to your advisor or the Registar's Office: (650) 508-3521.

Steps To Get Your Teaching Credential

The teacher credentialing process at NDNU can best be thought of in three distinct steps:

Step 1: Get admitted to the program: Contact the Graduate Admissions office. Understand your program requirements.
Step 2: Get approved to do your practicum (student teaching or internship).
Step 3: Complete your courses and exams and apply for your credential.

Step 1: Understand your program requirements

Program Checklist Program handbook
Multiple subjects M/S checklist [All Under revision]
Single Subject S/S checklist  
Education Specialist Level I SPED 1 checklist  
Education Specialist Level II SPED 2 checklist  
Administrative Services Admin checklist  
Reading Certificate/Credential Reading checklist  

Step 2: Get approved to do your fieldwork (student teaching or internship)

To help with your planning, the checklists below may be used as reference as to what is required to obtain full clearance for either student teaching or the University Internship Credential. It is highly recommended that you meet all required elements within 4 weeks prior to when the credential is needed or the teaching placement begins, as applicable.

Student Teaching

  • Requirements for Student Teaching: Checklist
    1. CBEST: Submit passing CBEST scores (Basic Skills verification)
    2. CSET: Submit passing CSET scores (Subject Matter Competency)
    3. CTC Certificate of Fingerprint Clearance:

      Get your fingerprints cleared by the CTC: a certificate of clearance or previous credential must appear on the Commission's online database. While many students will have previous clearances through districts or private schools, (even if you did LiveScan) fingerprints must be cleared through the CTC before student teaching -- this may require you do the fingerprinting process again. If you are not sure whether you need to re-do the process, check the CTC's Look-up and Status page. If you are not there, you must complete the process.

      Having merely done LiveScan fingerprints and submitted a follow-up clearance application electronically is not sufficient, as the CTC regularly sends applications to the Division of Professional Practices for review, for any number of reasons which they do not disclose to us. Professional Practices reviews normally take 4-6 weeks. Therefore, you should be certain to submit both your LiveScan fingerprints and your follow-up electronic application early enough prior to consideration for student teaching to insure that your application will be fully cleared before the placement coordinator begins the process of securing or confirming your placement.

      Please note that this is a straightforward legal requirement. No exceptions, waivers, or accommodations of any sort will be considered.

      How to apply for the Certificate of Clearance

      California residents must apply for their Certificate of Clearance online effective July 1, 2007. Follow the steps below:

      1. Print three copies of Livescan 41-LS form (PDF)
      2. Submit the three copies of the Livescan 41-LS form and processing fees to the LiveScan operator when the prints are taken (Click here to view a listing of Livescan locations)
      3. Navigate to the Commission's Online Direct Application Site
      4. Complete the online application; BE SURE TO APPLY FOR THE CERTIFICATE OF CLEARANCE, NOT A CREDENTIAL
      5. Using a VISA or Mastercard debit or credit card, complete the authorized transaction fee of $29.50
      6. Immediately following the successful submission of the online application, an e-mail will be sent containing a confirmation number and a link to the Track Payment web page.

      The normal processing time for the fingerprint and character and identification process via LiveScan is one to three days.If the application is pending review by the Commission's Division of Professional Practices, the online file will indicate that the application is "pending additional evaluation".

      Certificates of Clearance issued on or after February 28, 2005 are valid for five-years. Individuals may view the status of their Certificate of Clearance application on the Look-up and Status page . Online applications submitted prior to 4:00 p.m. PST will display on the website the following day at approximately 2:00 p.m. PST or later.

      When requirements for issuance of the Certificate of Clearance are completed, an e-mail will be sent informing the individual that the document has been granted and can be viewed in 48 hours on the Look-up and Status page .

      * Specific credential requirements can be found within the Credential Requirements section of this website.

    4. Negative TB Test (must be valid within last 2 years; districts may require a more recent document for employment purposes)
    5. Sign 'Release of Liability' Form
    6. Verify early field experience (Form)

University Internship Credential

Step 3: Complete your courses and exams, apply for your credential

To apply:

  1. Submit the $35 audit fee to the Business Office (see application form instuctions for exemptions)
  2. Submit the Application for Credential Recommendation, with fee stamp if appropriate, to the Credentials Office, along with any outstanding documentation or exam verification required for your credential

Deadline: Generally, there is no deadline. However, if you want to participate in Spring Graduation Ceremonies, submit by Feb. 1, along with Petition to Walk form. Otherwise, please submit at least one month before program completion.

NOTE: Master's students and Master's/credential students are subject to degree audits, processed by the Registrar's Office. Degree audits have strict deadlines with financial penalties as applicable. Please be sure to find out the deadlines that apply to you, and submit your degree audit form early in the adacemic year you intend to complete the degree.

Administrative Services candidates must also submit a verification of employment form or check "Certificate of Eligibility" on the application form

All candidates who plan to apply for a credential document must submit a Application for Credential Recommendation ("Audit" form) to the Credentials Office, preferably early in your final semester, or earlier. Directions about the credential recommendation process are detailed on the form.

The application form serves at least three purposes:

  1. Alerts the Analyst when you are planning to finish so he can prepare your recommendation to the CTC.
  2. Provides the CTC with your preferred email address so they can email you your CTC credential application and CTC fee forms and later your credential
  3. Documents payment of NDNU Audit fee

NOTE: Master's students and Master's/credential students are subject to degree audits, processed by the Registrar's Office. Degree audits have strict deadlines with financial penalties as applicable.  Please be sure to find out the deadlines that apply to you.

Documentation Required for Candidate Credential File

The items below are typical items required for a credential recommendation (requirements may vary, see your current program handbook for specific items for your credential type). Forms are available in hardcopy outside of the Credentials Office. Please note that progress toward completion of program requirements including academic and statutory requirements is updated in the candidate's Campus Portal account. If there is any discrepancy in the information you see in your Campus Portal, please see your program advisor or contact the Credentials Office staff.

  • Possess a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • 40 hours Pre-Acceptance Field Experience
  • Certificate of Clearance from the CTC (also known as fingerprint clearance)
  • Basic Skills verification, e.g., CBEST
  • Subject Matter Competency, e.g., CSET
  • TB Test(must be valid within last 2 years; districts may require a more recent document)
  • Release of Liability Form
  • CPR Training (must cover infant, child, and adult CPR; must meet standards of the American Heart Association or American Red Cross).
    Provide legible copy of front/back of card to the Credentials Office. There is no requirement to take the training at a specific locale. Many institutions offer CPR training; All-Care Plus in Palo Alto offers a discount to NDNU students; call (650) 424-0204 for info.
    • Note regarding online CPR course: Students are allowed to take an online CPR course only if they have taken and passed a regular non-online CPR course in the past and have an expired CPR card on file. Students who have proof of previous CPR training can take the online course for adults/children/infants through: www.cprtoday.com.
  • Statutory US Constitution Requirement for Teachers

    The CTC accepts three possible methods of meeting the U.S. Constitution requirement:

    1. Examination: NDNU US Constitution Test at www.USConstitutionExam.com (See the Credentials Analyst for the NDNU student discount); or an examination on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States completed at another regionally accredited community college, college or university. The NDNU online exam includes all the study material you need, plus a practice exam.
    2. Coursework: Two semester unit course on the provisions and principles of the Constitution of the United States;

      Acceptable NDNU courses:

      PSC 1000-Intro to Am. Gov't
      PSC 2320-The Constitution
      Hist 2300-American History 1607-1876 AND Hist 2310-American History 1877-Present
      Hist 1658-The New Nation 1776-1836 (focuses on the Constitution and Constitutional issues)

      Equivalent courses at other universities may be accepted. A complete multi-semester survey of American history may be acceptable; portions of a general survey or single semester history courses not specifically focused on the Constitution are not. Check with the Credentials Analyst for approval.

    3. CSU degree: A BA/BS degree awarded by a CSU campus (there is no stipulation on the date of graduation or grade received for the course)

      Note: because the U.S. Constitution requirement at the UC's may be met by a high school course, which is not acceptable for teacher certification, students with a degree from a University of California (UC) campus or a private independent college or university will need to meet options one or two above.

Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT)

Per state law SB1209, all candidates in the Multiple and Single Subject Programs are required to pass a state-approved performance assessment as one of the requirements for the preliminary credential recommendation. The Performance Assessment for California Teachers (PACT) is embedded in your program. Please read your program handbook and the information below about PACT.

Please see the PACT web site for general information.

For PACT questions, contact the PACT director, Stephanie Demaree, at (650) 508-3738.

How to Earn a Clear Credential ("Clearing" your preliminary credential)

The CTC's website details how to clear your preliminary credential: Multiple subjects / Single Subjects / Special education. Generally, this involves an induction program (usually BTSA) at your school site. Those employed at a private school can clear their credentials with a university program. Unfortunately, NDNU no longer offers a stand-alone clear credential program.

Administrative Services Credential

The California Administrative Services Credential prepares candidates to be principals, vice principals and superindendents in California's public schools. Please contact Dr. Judith Kell at jkell@ndnu.edu for more information about this program.

NOTE: Masters students and Masters/credential students are subject to degree audits, processed by the Registrar's Office. Degree audits have strict deadlines with financial penalties as applicable.  Please be sure to find out the deadlines that apply to you.

Commencement Ceremonies (Graduation)

If you wish to participate in the ceremonies you must

  1. Complete program coursework by graduation or have 6 or fewer units left to complete beyond the spring semester
  2. Submit the Recommendation Application form (above) before February 1
  3. Submit the Petition to Walk in Commencement-Credential Student before February 1. Master's candidates and Masters/Credential students should obtain a Masters petition form from the Registrars Office.

NOTE: Master's students and Master's/credential students are subject to degree audits, processed by the Registrars Office. Degree audits have strict deadlines with financial penalties as applicable. Please be sure to find out the deadlines that apply to you.

For those enrolled in Master's degree programs:

Admissions and Financial Aid

Other Links

Jobs

Program Handbooks (hardcopies are available in the Credentials Office or Main Education Office)

Program handbooks are currently under revision

Candidates are responsible for being aware of the policies, requirements, timelines and deadlines noted in their program handbooks. Information about credential filing and academic planning are provided in your handbook. Please contact your program advisor if you have any questions regarding your program plan.