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California Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

There are several alternative pathways to become a certified teacher in California. 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 a certificate or master’s degree. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree, see our guide to traditional route teacher certification in California. If you do have a bachelor’s degree, this page provides further information on alternative teacher licenses in California.

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Requirements for Alternative Certification

The basic qualification for alternative teacher certification is a bachelor’s degree. Some programs may require candidates to pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), or an equivalent exam approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (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 alternative pathways that lead to certification in California. More information about each of these options can be found through the CTC website.

University Intern or District Intern Credential

Internship programs allow new teachers to work in the classroom gaining experience while completing a teacher preparation program. Applicants for this track must have a bachelor’s degree and meet fingerprinting and background clearance requirements. Candidates must also pass the appropriate assessments for the subject(s) to be taught and complete an approved course or exam on 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 licensed teachers. Teacher candidates 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 of teacher preparation waived. Candidates with six or more years of classroom experience may be eligible to have the teacher preparation program requirement waived entirely.

Credentialing Through the Peace Corps

Applicants for California teacher credentialing who have a bachelor’s degree and served at least 18 months in the Peace Corps may be eligible to teach while completing teacher preparation. Candidates must have spent at least 50% of the 18-month Peace Corps experience in a classroom setting. Eligible applicants may be issued a Five-Year Preliminary Credential while they work to meet all other requirements for a Clear Credential, which include completing a course or exam on the US Constitution and passing the appropriate subject matter exams. The certificate is valid for up to five years.

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 in a foreign country within the past year, satisfy a 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.

Testing Requirements for California Alternative Certification

To be eligible for a preliminary credential in California, candidates must typically pass an approved subject matter exam for the subject(s) and grade levels they wish to teach, known as the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). All candidates must also take a course or pass an approved exam on the US Constitution. Candidates for a multiple subject credential must also pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). While the California Basic Skills Test (CBEST) is no longer required for most credentials, some pathways and programs may require candidates to take this exam.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

For teachers holding an out-of-state certificate, there are options for reciprocity in California. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and have an active, professional-level teaching credential that is considered comparable to California’s Clear Credential. For more information on reciprocity, visit our guide to certification reciprocity or the CTC website.


Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in California

To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the CTC for the preparation of teachers.

State-Approved SchoolAccreditationProgram Type(s)Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4Net Price5
Alliant International University*—Alternative, Certificate———N. Av.
Azusa Pacific University*CAEPAlternative, Certificate, Master’s15976100%$31,367
Biola University*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s54—$34,713
California Baptist University*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s402391%$25,714
California Lutheran University*—Alternative, Certificate44—N.Av.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo*—Alternative, Certificate———$20,491
California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt—Alternative, Certificate42—$15,015
California Polytechnic State University-Pomona*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s373681%$14,457
California State University-Bakersfield*AAQEPAlternative, Certificate, Master’s268115100%$7,697
California State University-Channel Islands*—Alternative, Certificate84—$15,059
California State University-Chico*—Alternative, Certificate845196%$16,109
California State University-Dominguez Hills*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s15789%91%$4,683
California State University-East Bay*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s524198%N.Av.
California State University-Fresno*AAQEPAlternative, Certificate14312590%$6,906
California State University-Fullerton*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s452295%$8,322
California State University-Long Beach*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s673797%$10,568
California State University-Los Angeles*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s50291%$3,859
California State University-Monterey Bay*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s903689%N.Av.
California State University-Northridge*—Alternative, Certificate1737799%$8,882
California State University-Sacramento*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s712896%$11,473
California State University-San Bernardino*—Alternative, Certificate4827100%$8,492
California State University-San Marcos*—Alternative, Certificate———$12,933
California State University-Stanislaus*—Alternative, Certificate211391%$7,418
Chapman University*CAEPAlternative, Certificate, Master’s32—$44,327
Claremont Graduate University*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s683597%N.Av.
Concordia University Irvine*—Alternative, Certificate11—N.Av.
Dominican University of California*—Alternative, Master’s87—$36,899
Fresno Pacific University*—Alternative, Certificate2198399%$18,728
Hope International University—Certificate, Master’s———$20,470
Humphreys University*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s382—$10,240
La Sierra University*—Alternative, Master’s11—$24,891
Los Angeles Pacific University*—Alternative, Certificate———N. Av.
Loyola Marymount University*—Alternative, Master’s61322598%N.Av.
Mount Saint Mary’s University*—Alternative, Master’s104—$27,346
National University*AAQEPAlternative, Certificate, Master’s97062092%$21,363
Notre Dame de Namur University*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s803884%N.Av.
Pacific Oaks College*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s236—N.Av.
Pacific Union College—Certificate, Master’s———$23,163
Point Loma Nazarene University*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s12610295%$34,644
San Diego Christian College—Certificate, Master’s———N.Av.
San Diego State University*—Alternative, Certificate4022100%$13,192
San Francisco State University*—Alternative, Certificate1052064%$14,757
San Jose State University*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s1015194%$15,995
Santa Clara University*—Alternative, Master’s381694%N.Av.
Simpson University*—Alternative, Certificate———$23,012
Sonoma State University*—Alternative, Certificate231794%$17,239
St. Mary’s College of California*—Alternative, Certificate29190%$40,401
Stanford University—Master’s———N. Av.
Teachers College of San Joaquin*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s———N. Av.
The Master’s University—Certificate———N. Av.
University of California-Berkeley—Alternative, Certificate———N.Av.
University of California-Davis—Certificate, Master’s———$17,026
University of California-Irvine—Master’s———$13,106
University of California-Los Angeles*—Alternative, Master’s———$16,474
University of California-Merced*—Alternative, Certificate60—N.Av.
University of California-Riverside*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s11—$11,948
University of California-San Diego*—Alternative, Master’s261192%$15,222
University of California-Santa Barbara*—Alternative, Master’s———N.Av.
University of California-Santa Cruz—Master’s00—$17,842
University of La Verne*—Alternative, Master’s1466294%$30,061
University of Redlands*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s362467%$30,240
University of San Diego*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s94—N.Av.
University of San Francisco*—Alternative, Master’s784198%N.Av.
University of Southern California—Master’s33—$39,759
University of the Pacific*—Alternative, Master’s6964100%$32,780
Vanguard University—Certificate———$21,667
Westmont College—Certificate———N.Av.
Whittier College*—Alternative, Certificate, Master’s22—N.Av.
William Jessup University—Master’s———$26,094

  • — indicates none or not applicable.
  • N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
  • *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.

Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in California

We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in California. The following schools all reported 100% pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.

  • Azusa Pacific University (100%)
  • California State University-Bakersfield (100%)
  • California State University-San Bernardino (100%)
  • San Diego State University (100%)
  • University of the Pacific (100%)
  • California State University-Northridge (99%)
  • Fresno Pacific University (99%)4

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in California based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.

  1. Vanguard University (8 months)
  2. California Polytechnic State University-Humboldt (9 months)
  3. California State University-Fullerton (9 months)
  4. California State University-Northridge (9 months)
  5. California State University-San Bernardino (9 months)
  6. California State University-San Marcos (10 months)
  7. California State University-Stanislaus (10 months)
  8. University of Southern California (11 months)

Additional Resources

Related Articles

References:
1. California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/