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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.

Application Cycles
Spring 2025 Summer 2025 Fall 2025

All Programs:
Closed

All Programs:
Closed

All Programs:
Closed

Please review all steps below, or click the following links to navigate to each step in the application process.

  1. Initial Eligibility and Prerequisites
  2. Cal State Apply
  3. Program Application
  4. 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.

Teacher reading to a classroom

 

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.
GPA Consideration Request

Prerequisite Courses (C or higher)

  • 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.
  • 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. 

  • MATH 10B or Equivalent: Required for applicants to FTRP Multiple Subject with a Supplementary Authorization in Math.

  • 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.

Cal State Apply

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.

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)

Review the Subject Matter Requirements Map to determine if you meet Subject Matter for your credential area, and please attach one of these corresponding documents:

  • Transcript
  • CSET Scores (not applicable to PK-3)
  • An email from Kremen that shows proof of clearance by coursework

For further clarification on how to meet Subject Matter, including how to Request a Coursework Evaluation, please review the Subject Matter Requirements page below. The Coursework Evaluation Request Form will return in Fall 2025.
Subject Matter Requirements

Admission Interview and Personal Narrative

  • Interview scheduling links will return in Fall 2025. 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). 
  • Interview scheduling links will return in Fall 2025. 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
  • Residency Only: Residency applicants are expected to interview and secure a place with a district before applying to Fresno State. The interview should be scheduled using the links above unless you are an FTRP applicant. FTRP Applicants: Please complete the district's application to secure an interview 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, click here.
Interview Form

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.
Certificate of Clearance Instructions

Pre-Program Field Experience Form

Verification option for Multiple Subject, Dual, Education Specialist and Single Subject:

  • The completion of 20 hours of field experience in the PK through 12th grade level. 

Verification options for PK-3:
Pre-Program Forms

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.
TB Risk Assessment Form

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 Childcare Providers and School Personnel Certificates.
  • Please note that the website below may charge $7.99 for the Certificate download.
Complete the Training

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:

Advising Plan

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 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.