College of Humanities - Teacher Preparation Program

About the Pre-Credential Option at CSUN

The Pre-Credential Option is an undergraduate major that focuses broadly on the liberal arts and specifically on the curriculum areas required for teaching in elementary classrooms (Grades K-6). The major includes coursework from disciplines in eight subject matter areas: language arts, mathematics, science, history/social sciences, visual and performing arts, health, physical education, and human development.

Students complete a specialization, or depth of study requirement, selected from a group of approved specialization.

Course content in the Pre-Credential Option is aligned to the California Student Academic Content Standards and State Curriculum Frameworks for Grades K-8, so that students in the Pre-Credential Option will be able to teach this content in elementary and special education classrooms.

The Pre-Credential Option also includes three professional education classes: social/philosophical foundations of education as applied to urban schools, psychological foundations of teaching and learning, and inclusive education.

The Pre-Credential Option provides a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies. It is also the pathway through which students move into the ITEP-Junior Option during their junior year.

Students can complete this option to earn a B.A. degree only and then apply to a post-baccalaureate credential program.

OR

During the junior year, students can move from the Pre-Credential Option into the ITEP- Junior Option and earn a B.A. degree and teaching credential simultaneously. For information click on the ITEP- Junior Option page.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree Pre-Credential Option

• Total units in major: 106-107 units for Plan M
• General Education: Included in the Liberal Studies major
• Title 5: Included in the Liberal Studies major
• Passage of the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam
• Additional elective units: 14-15 units in Plan M 
• Total units for the B.A. degree: 120 units

About Integrated Teacher Education Program for Juniors

ITEP-Junior Option is a comprehensive teacher preparation program that simultaneously provides the B.A. degree AND teaching credential. This option integrates mastery of subject matter and pedagogy which means students complete their B.A. degree and teaching credential at the same time.

ITEP-Junior Option includes the same subject matter coursework as the Pre-Credential Option. Pre-Credential Option students can become ITEP-Junior Option students once they are admitted into the credential program in their junior year. Once admitted, ITEP-Junior students complete the same subject matter courses as in the Pre-Credential program, but take them as linked courses with their professional methods and student teaching classes.

All coursework is aligned with the California Student Academic Content Standards and State Curriculum Frameworks for Grades K-8, so that students will be able to teach this content in elementary classrooms. Students pursuing the special education program will be authorized to teach students with special needs in K-12 classrooms.

Although the program is designed to make it possible for full-time students to complete a B.A. degree and credential in approximately four years plus summers, the combination of subject matter and professional preparation in the final semesters makes high demands on student time. This program may be successfully completed on either a part-time or full-time basis.

Students may choose to complete either a Multiple Subjects (Elementary) or Education Specialist (Special Education). At the present time it is not possible to complete a bilingual credential in ITEP-Junior Option. Students seeking a bilingual credential should complete the Pre-Credential Option and apply for a post-baccalaureate credential program.

The two student teaching experiences are built into the ITEP-Junior Program. 

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree ITEP-Juniors

• Total units in major: 135-136 units for Elementary Education and 141 for Education Specialist for Plan M.
• General Education: Included in the Liberal Studies major
• Title 5: Included in the Liberal Studies major
• Passage of the Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam

Students are encouraged to view or print out a copy of the ITEP-Junior Option Advisement Form that lists the major course requirements and the ITEP-Junior Option Specialization choices. Also available in the Forms and Handout section of this site is an ITEP-Junior Option Program Grid that can help "map out" a plan to graduation and Pre-Credential Community College Transfer Charts that list acceptable transfer courses that will satisfy major requirements. Students should complete the lower division coursework first; it is the foundation upon which the upper division and professional education courses are built.

Getting Into ITEP-Junior Option

If you have completed the majority of the lower division requirements under the Pre-Credential Option, completed approximately 60 units, and are in the progress of taking key upper division courses (LRS 300, EPC 315, ENGL 305) then this may be a good time for you to apply to the ITEP Program. In order to transition from a Pre-Credential Option student to ITEP, you must gain admission into the CSUN Credential Program.

Apply to the Credential Program as soon as you are eligible, but no later than early in the semester before you want to begin your first "methods" course (EED 472 or EED 477A).

To apply for the Credential Program, you must first print a Credential Application and attempt CBEST, demonstrated Subject Matter competency*, completed 45 hours of field experience, have an overall GPA of 2.67, and met several additional requirements. To find out ahead of time what is needed, click on the Credential Preparation Office link at the bottom of this page and look for Admission to a Credential Program. That information applies to all programs.

* Check with the Credential Office regarding this requirement.

After admission into the Credential Program:

Once you have been admitted to the Credential Program, their staff will forward your name to the Liberal Studies Office and you will be coded as an ITEP-Junior Option student.  You will not be able to register for ITEP courses unless you are coded as such.

Navigating ITEP-Junior Option

Linked Courses: Some courses in ITEP-Junior Option are linked - that means students must take both courses at the same time. For example, ITEP-Junior Option students will take Math 312 (subject matter course) with EED 472 (math methods course). Note the linked courses Grid or Advisement Sheet and plan your schedule accordingly.

Student Teaching: Plan to take SPED 420 before or concurrently with the first semester student teaching assignment. Student teaching takes place over two semesters - NO EXCEPTIONS. Generally, student teaching occurs 10 of the 15 week semester. For the Elementary Education track, first semester student teaching requires concurrent enrollment in three courses: EED 477B, EED 578A, and EED 579A. Second semester student teaching also requires concurrent enrollment in three courses: EED 480, EED 578D , and EED 579D. For a listing of the Special Education requirements, review the appropriate advisement form.

About the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) - Freshmen Option 

For eligibility into the program and first-time advisement, please contact Jonathan B. Martinez, Assistant Director of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Liberal Studies, at 818-677-7972.

The ITEP-Freshman Option is a comprehensive teacher preparation program designed for entering freshmen who plan to earn a B.A. AND a Preliminary Multiple Subjects Credential or a Preliminary Education Specialist (Special Education) Credential concurrently.

ITEP-Freshman Option consists of 135 units for the Multiple Subjects Option and 141 units for the Special Education Options. This is a cohorted program that requires full-time attendance (12 to 18 units per semester). Students participating in the Multiple Subject Program will earn their B.A. and credential in four years including two summer sessions.

All coursework is aligned with the California State Academic Content Standards and State Curriculum Frameworks for Grades K through 8, so that students will be able to teach this content in elementary and special education classrooms.

All requirements for a preliminary teaching credential are built into the ITEP-Freshman Option program, including two student teaching experiences.

To enter the program, students should be ready to take college level English and Math.

Students begin this program in the fall semester of their freshman year ONLY. A CSUN application must be submitted to Admissions and Records office in November for the following fall. Once admitted to CSUN, the Liberal Studies Office will invite eligible students to join the program.

It is not possible to complete a bilingual credential in ITEP-Freshman Option. Students seeking other elementary credentials should complete the Liberal Studies Pre-Credential Option and apply for a post-baccalaureate credential program.

*While a Preliminary Special Education (Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities) Credential is offered, it is only recommended for first-time freshman students who have completed between 9 -12 units in the major prior to their first semester in the program. Ideally, the blended Special Education Credential is best fitted for a 5 year program. If interested in a 5 year program, please refer to the ITEP-Junior Option.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree ITEP-Freshman Option

• Total units in major: 135 for Multiple Subject, 141 units for Education Specialist. (General Education and Title V requirements are satisfied upon completion of the major.)