Career Pathways

Teaching Credential

teacher with students

To become a chemistry teacher in a secondary school (middle/or high school) setting, one must obtain a teaching credential in addition to the completion of a bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry. A teacher’s purpose is to teach students basic scientific and chemistry concepts by utilizing diverse methods, such as, critical thinking skills, laboratory practice, and inspiring others to discover the world. CSUCI established a Secondary Education – Single Subject Teacher Credential Program which allows STEM majors to focus on a science concentration. In addition, there are other approved universities’ credential programs listed under the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

CSU Channel Islands Program

Other Approved Programs

Application Process

CSUCI Application

To apply for CSUCI Single Subject Teacher Credential Program, follow the link below.

Prerequisite Courses For CSUCI Single Subject Credential Program

Before applying to CSUCI credential programs, a series of foundational classes must be completed:
  • EDSS 415 - Adolescent Development for Secondary Educators
  • EDSS 424 - Creating and Managing Effective Secondary School Learning Environments
  • EDUC 412 - Equity, Diversity, and Foundations of Schooling
  • ENGL 475 - Language In Social Context
  • SPED 345 - Individuals with Disabilities in Society

For other universities’ programs, please contact the school of interest to verify the prerequisite courses for that program.

Examinations

Two examinations are required and must be passed prior to enrolling in CSUCI Single Subject Teaching Credential program. However, other programs may have different requirements for exams’ deadlines, so check with those schools.
 
California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST):
California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET):
  • To teach a specific subject in a secondary school, such as, chemistry, this exam will test on two parts, general science and the concentration: chemistry. Additional concentration tests in Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, and Physics may be taken to add versatility for future careers.
  • For more information and to register for the CSET, please follow the CSET California Educator Credentialing Assessments

Clearances

Health:
Recent documentation is required to prove that the candidate obtains a negative tuberculin test. This evidence can be shown through a TB skin test, TB blood test, or x-ray. Contact your local health clinic or doctor to schedule an appointment for one of these tests.
 
Certificate of Clearance (CTC):
Candidates must apply and obtain a Certificate of Clearance prior to enrollment in programs. The CTC consists of a background check through both a fingerprint scan and application forms.
 
For more information:

Academia Documentation

Official Transcripts
A set of official transcripts should be sent to the credential program’s school of interest. These documents should be SEALED in an envelope and include all consecutive classes in completing a bachelor’s degree. If applying into a program during the last semester of achieving a bachelor’s degree, one should report to the Registrar's Office to request either Priority of Posting or a Letter of Completion and send to the school’s program. After bachelor’s degree is fully completed, send a copy of those documents to the school.
 
Letters of Recommendation
Request two letters of recommendation from either an academic faculty member or employer. These letters should NOT be opened and sealed in an envelope. If the credential program requests these letters through online format, provide email addresses for the chosen correspondents.
 

Writing Statement

An essay will be written usually about the candidate’s attributes and philosophy in teaching. Verify with the school of interest of the writing prompt for the essay.
 
Additional Information
For further details on the application process, here is a link with a general guideline from the CSUCI Single Subject Teaching Credential:

Life As A Student in Training

Credential Program (Traditional Pathway)

  • Average duration: 2-3 semesters
  • Total Number of Student Teaching Hours: 600

Foundational

  • Range of 4-5 courses that will give background information on the basis of education and structure in classrooms.
  • The courses involve minimal amount of student teaching.*
  • These courses can be taken before or after admission depending on the teaching credential program.

Methods (First Semester)

  • Consists of 5 courses introducing different teaching strategies, including part-time student teaching.*

Clinical Practice (Second Semester)

  • Apply knowledge introduced in teaching courses to full-time student teaching, plus enrollment in 4-5 courses.*

*Note: Each teaching credential program is diverse in the arrangement of courses per semester and hours of student teaching per week.

Student Teaching Internship (Alternative Pathway)

This is another route to fulfill the teaching credential requirement instead of student teaching. The main difference is the traditional route does not involve pay, but the alternative route means the internship allows you to be paid for student teaching.

  • Contact your desired program to verify if the internship program is offered as an option.
  • An example of additional requirements needed for this program are listed in CSUN's Internship Program
Additional Information:

Experience

Additional teaching experience through any format is highly recommended in polishing skills for a future career in education with science.

The following positions are encouraged:

CSUCI STEM Tutor/ Learning Resource Center (LRC) Tutor
CSUCI Volunteer at Annual Science Carnival
Student Teaching Internships
Assist/Volunteer in Classrooms
  • Connect with local K-12 schools in your region and offer assistance in science classrooms.
  • Teach a lesson, construct an experiment, or volunteer to aid the teacher.
Substitute Teacher for Local School Districts
  • Apply as a substitute teacher at school districts in your area if not planning on going straight to a credential program after graduation.
  • Common basic requirements include the completion of the CBEST, a bachelor’s degree, and CTC clearance.

 

 

Created by: Katherine Eakin, Sarah Ashley, and Shawna Brown

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