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California Alternative Teacher Certification

Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to the award of a certificate or master’s degree. If you do not hold a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional route teacher certification in California. There are several alternative pathways to becoming a certified teacher in California. Regardless of the pathway, all candidates must meet California’s basic skills requirements for reading, writing, and mathematics and either take a course on the US Constitution or pass an examination proving adequate knowledge. All candidates must also complete an application for a teaching credential and complete a criminal background check. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) oversees requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Alternative Certification

The basic qualification for alternative teacher certification is a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a teachable subject. Those who are interested in teaching a specific subject must verify knowledge of the subject matter, referred to as the basic skills requirement. Verification of subject matter knowledge is done by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), or an equivalent exam approved by the CTC. In some cases, depending on the endorsement sought, sufficient coursework in the subject to be taught may be substituted for the exam requirement.

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in California

There are several different alternative pathways a candidate can take to achieve certification in California. These include study through a university internship program, a school internship program, teaching at a private school, or the Peace Corps. More information about each of these options can be found through the CTC website.

University Intern or District Intern Credential

Internship programs allow hopeful new teachers to work in the classroom, gaining practical experience while completing coursework in a teacher preparation program. Whether working through a state-approved university or public school (district) internship program, all credential-through-internship applicants must have already completed a bachelor’s degree, meet the basic skills requirement, and meet the fingerprinting and background clearance requirements. Candidates must typically pass the appropriate subject assessments for the subject(s) to be taught, and complete an appropriate course or exam in the US Constitution. Those pursuing this pathway are expected to complete all requirements for a professional certificate within two years; a one-time, one-year hardship extension may be requested.

Credentialing Through Private School Experience

Not all private schools require teachers to be certified through the state. Those with at least three years of experience in private school classrooms may apply for public school teacher credentialing with the state and have the student teaching component waived. Those candidates with six or more years of classroom experience may have the teacher preparation program requirement waived entirely.

Credentialing Through the Peace Corps

Applicants for California teacher credentialing who served at least 18 months in the Peace Corps may be eligible to teach while working towards meeting the teacher preparation program requirement. Candidates must have spent at least 50% of the Peace Corps experience in a classroom setting and must meet all other requirements for credentialing, including holding a bachelor’s degree, satisfying the basic skills requirement, meeting English language skills and reading requirements, and completing a course or exam in the US Constitution, as well as passing the appropriate subject matter exams. Once issued, the certificate is valid for up to five years as the candidate completes an approved teacher preparation program in order to qualify for a standard teaching license.

Sojourn Certificate

Individuals who are academically qualified to teach a foreign language or culture through completion of a college-level program in a foreign country may be eligible for the Sojourn Certificate. In addition to meeting education requirements, individuals must have taught within a foreign country within the past year, satisfy the basic skills requirement, receive an employment offer from a California school district, and pass a background check. If issued, the Sojourn Certificate allows the holder to teach a foreign language as they work towards meeting standard teacher certification requirements.

Transferring Teaching Licenses from Another State

For teachers holding an out-of-state certificate, there are options for reciprocity in California. These applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, meet California’s basic skills requirement, and have an active teaching credential that is considered comparable to California’s. For more information on reciprocity, see our guide to reciprocity or the CTC website.

Schools with Alternative and Master’s Programs in California

To qualify for a teaching license in California, you must complete an education program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The following schools offer teacher preparation programs that culminate in the award of a certificate or master’s degree with teacher credentialing and have been approved by the CTC:

  • Alliant International University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • Azusa Pacific University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Biola University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • California Baptist University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • California Lutheran University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), Pomona* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • California State University-Bakersfield* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), Channel Islands* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), Chico* (Alternative, Certificate), Dominguez Hills* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), East Bay* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), Fresno* (Alternative, Certificate), Fullerton* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), Long Beach* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), Los Angeles* (Alternative, Certificate), Monterey Bay* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), Northridge* (Alternative, Certificate), Sacramento* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), San Bernardino* (Alternative, Certificate), San Marcos* (Alternative, Certificate), Stanislaus* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • CalState Teach* (Alternative)
  • Chapman University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Claremont Graduate University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Concordia University Irvine* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • Dominican University of California* (Alternative, Master’s)
  • Fresno Pacific University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • Holy Names University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Hope International University (Certificate)
  • Humphreys University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • La Sierra University* (Alternative, Master’s)
  • Los Angeles Pacific University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • Loyola Marymount University* (Alternative, Master’s)
  • Mount Saint Mary’s University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • National University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Notre Dame de Namur University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Pacific Oaks College* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Pacific Union College (Certificate, Master’s)
  • Point Loma Nazarene University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • San Diego Christian College (Certificate, Master’s)
  • San Diego State University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • San Francisco State University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • San Jose State University* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • Santa Clara University* (Alternative, Master’s)
  • Simpson University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • Sonoma State University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • St. Mary’s College of California* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • Stanford University (Master’s)
  • Teachers College of San Joaquin* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • The Master’s University (Certificate)
  • Touro University* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • University of California-Berkeley* (Alternative, Certificate), Davis (Certificate, Master’s), Irvine (Master’s), Los Angeles* (Alternative, Master’s), Merced* (Alternative, Certificate), Riverside* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s), San Diego* (Alternative, Certificate), Santa Barbara* (Alternative, Master’s), Santa Cruz (Master’s)
  • University of La Verne* (Alternative, Master’s)
  • University of Redlands* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • University of San Diego* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • University of San Francisco* (Alternative, Master’s)
  • University of Southern California (Master’s)
  • University of the Pacific* (Alternative, Certificate)
  • Vanguard University (Certificate)
  • Westmont College (Certificate)
  • Whittier College* (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s)
  • William Jessup University (Master’s)

*Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. The student may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact program(s) of interest for further information.

Additional Resources

References:
1. California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/