Fresno State offers nationally recognized residencies in partnership with school districts
across the Central Valley, which prepare the next generation of educators through
robust hands-on work.
About the Residencies
Teacher residency programs are intensive preservice preparation where residents join
and contribute to the school community from day one and continue throughout their
teacher preparation. The residency model combines rigorous (Master’s Degree-level)
coursework, teacher credentialing coursework and in-classroom apprenticeship to prepare
graduates to directly impact the needs of Central Valley schools.
Benefits and Impact
Evidence shows that upon graduation, residents in their first year of teaching perform
like second-year teachers, greatly enhancing the career trajectories of our students.
Read more about the program benefits and offerings below:
Residents are partnered with a 'Faculty-in-Residence' and a 'Teacher-in-Residence'
and are supported by a comprehensive professional development curriculum.
Residents receive special perks, including guaranteed employment upon program completion
and access to district professional development, technologies and paid sub days.
Residents are fully immersed in the full-day classroom experience during the year-long
placement and gather deep knowledge of school district culture, expectations and needs.
Students will focus on mild-moderate (MM) and extensive support needs (ESN) for the
Education Specialist (Special Education) teaching credential.
Length: 3 semesters CTC Teacher Residency Service-Based Grant Incentive: $20,000 Teaching Commitment: 4 years
Fresno Teacher Residency Program
Acceptance to the residency is required for admission to the credential program. First,
click the FUSD link below to apply to the district. If accepted, then you may apply
to Fresno State.
The Fresno State and Fresno Unified partnership offers multiple teacher residency
options:
Earn a Dual Credential that allows you to be both a Special Education and General
Education Teacher in an Elementary School
Enrolling for summer 2025
Earn a multiple subject and two education specialist (mild/moderate and extensive
support needs) teaching credentials simultaneously.
Length: 3 semesters
Financial Support: $34,000
Teaching Commitment: 4 years
Become a Dual Language Immersion Teacher in Spanish or Hmong
Enrolling for summer 2025
Earn a multiple subject teaching credential with an added bilingual authorization
in Spanish or Hmong. Prepared to teach in dual-immersion elementary school classrooms.
Length: 3 semesters
Financial Support: $34,000
Teaching Commitment: 4 years
Become a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Teacher
Enrolling for summer 2025
Earn a multiple subject teaching credential with the additional 24 units in ECE units
needed to teach TK.
Length: 3 semesters
Financial Support: $34,000
Teaching Commitment: 4 years
Become a Teacher in High School Art, English, Math, Music, Science or Theatre
Enrolling for fall 2025
Earn a single subject teaching credential in Art, English, Math, Music, Science or
Theatre to be prepared to teach in a secondary classroom.
Length: 2 semesters
Financial Support: $34,000
Teaching Commitment: 4 years
Earn a Math/Science Authorization
Enrolling for summer 2025
Earn an additional authorization for teaching math or science.
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Bilingual Authorization Program (BAP)
This program is specifically designed to prepare bilingual teachers for dual-immersion
elementary school classrooms. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals
will be awarded a multiple subject teaching credential and bilingual authorization
in Spanish. It offers a comprehensive year-long residency experience, equipping aspiring
bilingual teachers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and support to excel in high-demand
dual immersion settings.
Residency Experience
During the program, participants benefit from a unique residency experience. They
are assigned an experienced bilingual mentor teacher who provides invaluable guidance
and support throughout their journey. In addition, each participant is paired with
a university coach who ensures individualized attention and feedback connecting coursework
to clinical observations.
Through a full-day immersion in the classroom, residents deeply engage with the community
culture, grasp the district's expectations, and understand the unique needs of culturally
and linguistically diverse students. The immersive nature of the program fosters a
greater understanding of the students' backgrounds and enables residents to effectively
bridge language and culture.
Enriching Cultural Immersion in Oaxaca
Madera Unified is home to the second-largest Oaxacan population outside of Mexico.
As part of the program, residents have the incredible opportunity to participate in
a study abroad program in Oaxaca, Mexico. This cultural immersion experience is thoughtfully
designed to further develop residents' understanding of the cultural diversity found
within Madera Unified School District, particularly among students with Oaxacan roots.
The summer study abroad program includes a series of enriching activities such as
workshops, visits to local schools, extracurricular activities, and excursions to
significant cultural sites such as Mitla, Monte Alban, and Hierve el Agua. These experiences
deepen participants' understanding of the vibrant Oaxacan culture, allowing them to
make meaningful connections with their future students. Residents can earn university
credits through Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca. The university offers
various courses, including language classes in Spanish or Zapotec, as well as a Culture
and Civilization class that explores the rich heritage of Oaxaca.
By participating in this program, residents are equipped with the necessary skills,
knowledge, and cultural competency to succeed as bilingual educators in highly sought-after
dual-immersion classrooms.
Length: 3 semesters (summer, fall and spring) Financial Incentive: $35,000 District Commitment: 4 years Teaching Style: Combination approach
Resident supports provided:
Small cohort size (between 14 and 16 residents)
Experienced bilingual mentor teachers
District led professional learning community
Summer study abroad opportunity in Mexico, in accordance with current COVID-19 guidelines.
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with an option of a Spanish Bilingual Authorization Program (BAP)
Universal design for learning (UDL) takes into account the wide diversity in each
student. UDL uses knowledge about how brains learn to design and build engaging learning
environments. Teacher residents are provided the same training as first-year teachers
at the school district.
Length: 2 semesters Financial Incentive: $35,000 District Commitment: 4 years Teaching Style: Faculty Team-Teach
Rural Teacher Residency Partnership
Enrolling for fall 2025
Districts: Kerman Unified School District, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District, Golden
Plains Unified School District and Mendota Unified School District Focus: Trauma-informed learning practices Residency Coordinator: Christina Macias | clmacias@mail.fresnostate.edu
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with an option of a Spanish Bilingual Authorization
Program (BAP)
Become an elementary school teacher with the option of bilingual education in Spanish
through Fresno State once you complete your BA or BS Degree. This residency program
starts in the fall semester and classes are held at the Kerman District Main Office.
Resident supports provided:
Small cohort size (between 20 and 25 residents)
Experienced mentor teacher
Technology device provided
County-led professional learning opportunities
Length: 2 semesters Financial Incentive: $35,000 Teaching Commitment: 4 years
Districts: Delano Joint Union High School District, Hanford Joint Union High School District,
Tulare County Office of Education, Tulare Joint Union High School District and the
Visalia Unified School District SPED Professor-in-Residence: Dr. Kristina Rios | krios@mail.fresnostate.edu
Earn two education specialist (mild/moderate and extensive support needs) teaching
credentials simultaneously.
Length: 3 semesters
Financial Support: $40,000
Teaching Commitment: 4 years
Deep Collaborations with Schools and Districts
A residency model would not be possible without the deep collaboration and dedicated
partnerships between Fresno State and local schools districts. Fresno State faculty
work hand-in-hand with the school districts to detect what the district’s specific
needs are. They focus on the assets of the school community and through co-planning,
develop a curriculum that is directly responsive to the district’s needs. This method
allows school districts to address the teacher shortage by creating their own pipelines
of teachers - “growing our own”.
The residency model sets up our district to hire well-prepared teachers that embody
our goals, beliefs and culture for years to come. – Associate Superintendent, Sanger Unified School District