Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer content

Credential Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

The PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential focuses on developmentally appropriate practices for young children in Pre-K through grade 3. Below is a list of common inquiries updated on an ongoing basis.

The CBEST and CSET will not be required.

We are still continuing to work on our answer for this. There are clinical equivalency options available that may allow you to keep your current job and use as clinical practice hours. However, there are implications for this. There are also very specific requirements set by the state that will require at least one semester where you will likely have to leave your place of employment.

(More information to be added at a later date.)

Currently, courses are scheduled to happen face to face, during the late afternoon/evenings.

If you have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in 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, or Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies, then you meet subject matter competency (SMC).

OR

If you have a Bachelor’s degree in a major not listed above and completion of 24 semester units or equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree applicable coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in early childhood education and/or child development, then you also meet SMC.

You need a Bachelor’s degree to be admitted into the program.

You can enroll in the 24 unit ECE certificate program through Continuing & Global Education at Fresno State. Here is their website: https://cge.fresnostate.edu/programsinstitutes/earlychildhood.html.

You may already have taken 24 ECE units during undergrad or community college years, these units will still count towards SMC as long as you also have a Bachelor’s degree.

Yes, credential students are eligible for financial aid and can complete the FAFSA application. Make sure when completing the application, you select “5th year other” and NOT “continuing grad” for current grade level!

Yes, you will still need to fulfill subject matter competency requirements. Since there is no CSET requirement for PK-3 Credential, it will not count. However, you may not need PK-3 Credential and can just take 24 ECE units to be qualified to teach TK-6. 

Yes, you still will need to complete the clinical practice in Phase 2 and 3 because according to the handbook, “PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential candidates who meet both the requirements outlined in subsections (A) and (B) below shall be granted equivalence...(A) Either hold a valid Child Development Permit at the Teacher level or higher or verify employment as a lead teacher in a Head Start program or a childcare and development center serving preschool-aged children...(B) Verify six (6) years or more of satisfactory, full-time teaching experience as a lead teacher in a public or private center-based childcare and development program serving preschool-aged children that is either a license-exempt childcare and development center". Therefore, you do not have 6 years of experience teaching preschool-aged children. 

No, you do not meet the clinical equivalency criteria because have not held a lead teacher position (B).

During Phase 2 in the fall for TK clinical practice, you may be able to work in the morning/afternoon and complete your hours Monday-Friday in the afternoon/morning for the TK placement.  Each case will be looked at individually to determine if the place of employment and mentor teachers meet CTC criteria.  However, during Phase 3 in the spring for K-3 clinical practice, you must work the full days in the K-3 classroom for two reasons: One reason being to get in the appropriate number of hours and two being to complete the FAST during this semester. 

No, observation does not qualify as practicum experience. 

Right now we are not sure which Districts will be taking our teacher candidates for clinical practice placements, but currently they are placed in several districts across the valley. 

The mandated reporter certificate is valid for two years, TB risk assessment is four years, and the Certificate of Clearance is 5 years (no 30-day sub permit). All of these documents must be valid throughout the credential program. If any of these documents expired within the duration of the program, the candidate must provide an updated document to the Credential Admissions Analyst. 

No

Yes, but must complete within 5 years. Also, you will need to wait until those courses are offered again. So if it is Phase 3, you would wait an entire calendar year to complete, and phases must be completed in order. 

At this time, there are only plans to offer the classes in person at Fresno State.