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 |
|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2024 to November 1, 2024 |
February 1, 2025 to |
October 1, 2024 to |
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 90 units towards a
blended Liberal Studies degree or integrated program from Fresno State.
- An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher. If you do not meet this requirement, we will check to see if you have a 2.75 or higher for the last 60 units of coursework. If you do not meet either requirement, you may submit a Special Consideration Request Form with your application.
Prerequisite Courses (C or higher)
- Multiple Subject Credential: CI 100 should be completed prior to the start of or during the first semester of our program. We will also accept CI 149 in place of CI 100.
- Education Specialist and Dual Credentials: CI 100 and SPED 120 should be completed prior to the start of or during the first semester of our program. We will also accept CI 149 in place of CI 100.
- Single Subject Credential: CI 149 must be completed prior to the start of our program. If applicants submit an application prior to completing
CI 149, we will require that you attach proof of registration.
- PK-3 Credential: Applicants should complete at least one approved course that provides observation and/or practicum experience prior to the start of our program.
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 student who intends to integrate their Credential into their bachelor's program.
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 Services Center > 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.
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.
Basic Skills Requirements (attach one option)
The options below are not required for the PK-3 Credential. You may upload any document as a placeholder in this slot on the application for PK-3 only.
- Verification of passing all three subtests of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
- A signed BSR Evaluation Request Form verifying approved coursework or combination of coursework and exams. Effective June 1, 2024, we will only evaluate coursework for applicants to the Kremen School of Education and Human Development Credential programs. Our BSR form will be available after June 10, 2024.
- An official score report that verifies passing the College Board SAT Reading or Verbal (500) and SAT Mathematics (550) if test taken before March 2016.
- An official score report that verifies passing the College Board SAT Reading and Writing (560) and SAT Mathematics (570) if test taken after March 2016.
- An official score report that verifies passing the ACT English (22) and ACT Mathematics (23).
- Verification of passing the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Writing Skills exam and CSET: Multiple Subjects exam.
- Verification of a score of 3 or higher on the AP English Language and Composition Exam or the AP English Literature and Composition Exam and a score of 3 or higher on the AP Calculus or Statistics Exam.
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
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
- Foundational Science: A degree in engineering or another degree offered by a science department
- Geoscience: Geology or Earth Science
- Health 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 (choose one option on the form)
- 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.
Admission Interview and Personal Narrative
- To schedule a Multiple Subject, Dual or Education Specialist Interview, please use this form (coming soon). Please note that Dual candidates will need to complete both a Multiple Subject Interview and an Education Specialist Interview.
- A completed Admission Interview Form and Personal Narrative will need to be sent to your interviewer ahead of your meeting.
- Single Subject Only: Please visit the Single Subject webpage for details on how to schedule an interview, and please include a resume with your interview packet.
- BAP Spanish and Hmong Only: Please schedule a language proficiency interview with an approved coordinator:
- BAP Spanish: Dr. Lindsay Meeker, lmeeker@csufresno.edu
- BAP Hmong: Dr. Vicky Xiong-Lor, vxionglor@csufresno.edu
- FUSD Residency Only: Your acceptance letter to FUSD is considered your Interview Form. Please attach it along with your Personal Narrative.
- PK-3 Interview details will be coming soon.
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 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.
- FUSD Residency Only: Please attach memos from the school district 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. These courses meet the U.S. Constitution Requirement.
- If you have not taken an approved U.S. Constitution course, you may take this exam to clear our requirement: usconstitutionexam.com. You will need to attach your Certificate of Completion.
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 our 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 our 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 Singe 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."
Questions?
If you need help navigating the process, please contact our Center for Advising and Student Services: kremenschool@csufresno.edu or 559.278.0300.