Credential Programs
Credential Admission Requirements
Apply to the Credential Program at Fresno State
Application Process
Completed applications are processed in the order that they are received throughout the application cycle. Applicants meeting all admission requirements will be admitted on a first come, first served basis, space permitting.
We highly recommend that you submit your application as early as possible.
***The PK-3 Credential Program's first cohort will be starting in Summer 2025.***
| Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
All Programs: |
Residency and PK-3 |
Traditional and Residency: |
Please review all steps below, or click the following links to navigate to each step in the application process.
- Initial Eligibility and Prerequisites
- Cal State Apply
- Program Application
- Program Application Attachments
If you are a current credential holder who would like to add on another credential, please navigate to the section at the bottom of this webpage.
How to Apply
Step 1: Initial Eligibility and Prerequisites
Eligibility Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited university or at least 60 semester
units towards a blended Liberal Studies degree or integrated program at Fresno State.
To view more information on the eligibility requirements for Liberal Studies - ITEP,
please click here.
- An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. If you do not meet this requirement, we will check to see if you have a 2.5 or higher for the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of coursework. If you do not meet either requirement, you may submit a GPA Consideration Request with your application.
Prerequisite Courses (C or higher)
- CI 100: Required for Multiple Subject, Dual and Education Specialist. It can be completed prior to the start of or during the first semester of our program.
- SPED 120: Required for Dual and Education Specialist. It can be completed prior to the start of or during the first semester of our program.
- CI 149: Required for Single Subject. It must be completed prior to the start of our program. If an application is submitted before the completion of CI 149, we will require proof of registration. This course can also be taken in place of CI 100 for Dual and Education Specialist credentials.
- EHD 50: Required for Multiple Subject, Dual, Education Specialist and Single Subject. There is also an option to take an equivalent course or waive EHD 50 through field experience. Please see Pre-Program Field Experience below for more
details.
- PK-3 Prerequisite: Required for PK-3 applicants only. One approved prerequisite course must be completed prior to the start of our program. There is also an option to waive this course through
field experience. Please see Pre-Program Field Experience below for more details.
- Liberal Studies - ITEP Only: Please click here to view lower-division coursework requirements.
Step 2: Cal State Apply
All applicants must first apply to Fresno State for the semester that they intend to start the Credential Program.
You do not need to apply to Cal State if:
- You are a current Fresno State graduate student.
- You are a current Fresno State undergraduate Liberal Studies, Ag or Math ITEP student who intends to blend their Credential into their bachelor's program.
Fall 2025 Liberal Studies - ITEP Only: You will apply to the undergraduate Liberal Studies program on Cal State Apply; however,
you will not apply to the Credential Program on Cal State Apply because you are part of an integrated
program.
If you need further guidance to determine whether a Cal State Application is required
of you, it is recommended that you make an appointment with Kremen's Center for Advising and Student Services prior to applying.
Step 3: Program Application
After submitting your Cal State Application, our Program Application will be available on your Fresno State Portal within three days under Student Self Service > My Admissions and Program Applications > Credential Program App. Paper applications will not be accepted.
- You must have a Student ID Number in order to access the application.
- If you attended Fresno State many years ago, you may need to have Technology Services reactivate your account in order for the application link to populate: 559.278.5000.
- If you did not attend Fresno State in prior years, it can take up to 2 weeks for the application link to populate to your Student Center.
- Please click here for additional instructions on how to navigate the Program Application.
Step 4: Program Application Attachments
On the second page of the Program Application, you will attach the following documents. If you are reapplying and cannot detach a document, please contact the Credential Admissions Analyst: hjamison@csufresno.edu.
Subject Matter Requirements (attach one option)
In accordance with the guidelines below, please attach one of the following documents to your application:
-
- Transcript
- CSET Scores (not applicable to PK-3)
- An email from Kremen that shows proof of clearance by coursework
Please click here to view our Subject Matter Requirements Map
California Education Code requires that all candidates for a preliminary teaching credential must demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter area of their intended credential.
Subject matter proficiency may be demonstrated through one of the following options:
- Completion of a subject matter program approved by the commission.
- Passage of a subject matter examination (the California Subject Examination for Teachers or CSET).
- Through a major that matches a subject matter in which the commission credentials candidates.
- Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements.
- Through a combination of coursework and CSET so that all domains are met.
With the passing of AB 130, it is possible to meet subject matter through a major
that matches the majors specified in the legislation.
- The major match should be done by the approved teacher education program where you will be completing your credential as the Credential Analyst of that institution must verify the major match when recommending you for a credential at the end of your program.
- The majors must be from a regionally accredited university and the academic degree major must match the subject area of the credential being sought.
- Submitted transcripts must show your degree pathway.
This option is currently available for candidates who have completed an academic degree in a major that exactly matches one of those identified in the law as indicated below:
Subject Matter for Multiple Subject and Dual Credentials may be met by the following majors:
- Liberal Studies
- Elementary Education
- Liberal Arts
AB 130 also allows for a bachelor’s degree or higher in a major that includes all of the subject areas identified in Education Code §44282(b): language studies, literature, mathematics, science, social studies, history, arts, physical education and human development.
Single Subject Credentials: The major must match in one of the subjects named in Education Code section 44257(a). Additionally, any degree major that includes the name of the subject area of the single subject credential will meet subject matter. The credential areas that Fresno State’s Teacher Education Program offers are:
- Art
- Biological Sciences: Biology, biological engineering, or biochemistry
- Chemistry: Chemistry, chemical engineering and biochemistry
- English
- Geoscience: Geology or Earth Science
- Mathematics (also a degree in statistics or applied mathematics)
- Music
- Physical Education: May say "Kinesiology" if it also says "Physical Education" as part of the degree
- Physics: Physics, mechanical or structural engineering
- Social Science: Must say "Social Science" or student may request a course review
- World Language: May be in any of the languages for which there is a credential. For example, a major in Spanish would meet subject matter for World Language: Spanish. Also includes World Language: American Sign Language (ASL)
Education Specialist Credentials
Mild/Moderate Support Needs and/or Extensive Support Needs candidates may utilize subject matter in multiple subjects or in any single subject area. At this time, the Commission will also accept applied majors in the single subject credential areas (e.g., Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics) and exact majors in one of the single
subject areas that may have additional modifiers (e.g., Biology: Environmental Biology;
Art: Art History; and Physical Education: Kinesiology).
PK-3 Credentials
Subject Matter may be met for PK-3 by one of the following majors:
- Child Development
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Human Development
- Early Childhood Education
- Child and Family Studies
- Early Childhood Studies
- Human Development and Family Science
- Family Science
- Child, Adolescent and Family Studies
If the applicant does not meet Subject Matter by major, they will need to have 24 semester units or the equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable coursework in Early Childhood Education and/or Child Development from a regionally accredited, CCTC-approved institution.
Meeting Subject Matter through Coursework Review
Coursework may now be used to meet subject matter for a particular credential type instead of CSET or an approved subject matter program. A combination of CSET and coursework may also be used; however, the domains covered by a particular CSET subtest must all be met by coursework in lieu of taking that subtest.
Important: Coursework reviews will only be completed for candidates who intend to apply to Fresno State's Credential program.
Plan Ahead: For the Spring 2025 cycle, Coursework Evaluation Requests will be due October 1, 2024. The review may take 6-8 weeks to complete.
If you are interested in having your coursework evaluated for subject matter proficiency, please complete the form below.
Certificate of Clearance
- Please note that the clearance process can take 8 to 10 weeks to complete.
- Live Scan forms or receipts will not be accepted.
- Please utilize the instructions below on how to complete this process.
Pre-Program Field Experience Form
Verification options for Multiple Subject, Dual, Education Specialist and Single Subject:
- The completion of EHD 50 with a C or better at Fresno State.
- The completion of an equivalent course with a C or better. (Courses outside of this list will be rejected.)
- The completion of 45 hours of field experience in a classroom. A minimum of 30 hours must occur in the grade level or subject area appropriate to the desired Credential.
- The completion of one prerequisite course with a C or better.
- The completion of 45 hours of field experience in a PK through 3rd grade classroom.
Admission Interview and Personal Narrative
- To schedule a Multiple Subject, Dual, Education Specialist or PK-3 interview, please submit this form: forms.gle/5jZpSa1FLW3xoPeF6. A completed Admission Interview Form and Personal Narrative will need to be sent to your interviewer ahead of your meeting. Please note that BAP candidates will need to complete both an interview for their credential of choice and a BAP interview (please see below for more information).
- To schedule a Single Subject interview, please submit this form: forms.gle/SrUCfhJUWYYuTbcF6. A completed Admission Interview Form, resume and Personal Narrative will need to be sent to your interviewer ahead of your meeting.
- Liberal Studies - ITEP Only: Please do not fill out the admission interview request links above. The dates for your admission interview will be announced in early spring and will be scheduled directly with the ITEP Program Coordinator. A completed Admission Interview Form and Personal Narrative will need to be presented at your interview. If you would like to be considered for BAP, please see the instructions below.
- BAP Spanish and Hmong Only: Please schedule a language proficiency interview with an approved coordinator:
- BAP Spanish: Dr. Nadia Hoover, nmhoover@csufresno.edu
- BAP Hmong: Dr. Vicky Xiong-Lor, vxionglor@csufresno.edu
- FTRP Residency Only: Please complete the district's application to secure an interview ahead of applying to Fresno State by clicking here. Your acceptance letter to FTRP is considered your Interview Form. Please attach it to your application along with your Personal Narrative. To find out more information about our Residency programs, please visit: kremen.fresnostate.edu/teaching-credential/pathways/residency.html.
TB Risk Assessment
- Please have your healthcare provider fill out Page 1 and 3 of the form below.
- The only document that we will accept besides the one below would be a memo from the Fresno State Health Center. You can download this memo from your Student Center after your appointment. All other documents will not be accepted.
Mandated Reporter Training
- Multiple Subject, Dual, Education Specialist and Single Subject: Complete the General and School Personnel Trainings and attach your School Personnel Certificate.
- PK-3: Complete the General, Childcare Providers and School Personnel Trainings and attach your Certificates.
- Please note that Certificates expire after two years. Your Certificate will need to be valid for the entirety of your program. General Training does not need to be repeated when renewing your Certificate.
Two Letters of Recommendation
- Your references should describe why you would make an excellent candidate for the Credential Program in standard business letter format.
- Your faculty interviewer should not be your reference.
- Letters are valid for one year from the date that they were written.
- FTRP Residency Only: Please attach your acceptance email from FTRP as proof that they received your letters.
U.S. Constitution Requirement and Transcripts
- Attach unofficial transcripts from every college that you have attended. We will verify that you have taken a U.S. Constitution course and received a C or better in the course. These courses meet the U.S. Constitution Requirement.
- If you have not taken an approved U.S. Constitution course, you may take one of these exams to clear our requirement:
- Notre Dame de Namur: usconstitutionexam.com. You will need to attach your Certificate of Completion.
- Bulldog Testing Center: academics.fresnostate.edu/bulldogtestingcenter/. You will need to attach proof of completion which will be provided by the Testing Center.
Advising Plan
- An advising appointment is not required for this step: Please attach an Advising Plan that is specific to the program/cohort that you are applying for:
Are you a current Credential holder who wants to add another Credential?
- To add on a Multiple Subject or another Single Subject Credential, please complete this form and email it along with any attachments to the Credential Admissions Analyst: hjamison@csufresno.edu.
- To add on an Education Specialist, Dual or PK-3 Credential, please apply to the program using the standard steps above.
- To add on a Single Subject Credential, please complete this form and email it along with any attachments to the Credential Admissions Analyst: hjamison@csufresno.edu.
- To add on a PK-3 Credential, please apply directly to the CCTC. When you open the link, please scroll to the heading titled "Adding a PK-3 Credential for Existing Credential Holders."
- To add on an Education Specialist Credential, please complete the following steps below and email your documents to the Credential
Admissions Analyst: hjamison@csufresno.edu:
- Cal State Application
- Program Application
- Admission Interview. Email Dr. Michael Mahoney to request an interview: mwmm@csufresno.edu. Prior to the interview, email him the following: Admission Interview Form, letter of recommendation from a school administrator and a resume.
- A Copy of your Preliminary or Professional (Clear) Credential
- TB Risk Assessment
- Mandated Reporter Training for School Personnel
- To add on a Multiple Subject, Single Subject or PK-3 Credential, please apply to the program using the standard steps above.
- To add on a second Education Specialist Credential (MM or ESN), complete the following steps below and email your documents to the Credential Admissions
Analyst: hjamison@csufresno.edu:
- Cal State Application
- Program Application
- Admission Interview. Email Dr. Michael Mahoney to request an interview: mwmm@csufresno.edu. Prior to the interview, email him the following: Admission Interview Form, letter of recommendation from a school administrator and a resume.
- A Copy of your Preliminary or Professional (Clear) Credential
- TB Risk Assessment
- Mandated Reporter Training for School Personnel
- To add on a Single Subject Credential, please complete this form and email it along with any attachments to the Credential Admissions Analyst: hjamison@csufresno.edu.
- To add on a PK-3 Credential, please apply directly to the CCTC. When you open the link, please scroll to the heading titled "Adding a PK-3 Credential for Existing Credential Holders."
- To add on a Multiple Subject, Single Subject, Education Specialist or Dual Credential, please apply to the program using the standard steps above.
Questions?
If you need help navigating the process, please contact our Center for Advising and Student Services: kremenschool@csufresno.edu or 559.278.0300.