Program Policies

1.1 Apply to CSU Long Beach. Students not currently a matriculated student at CSU Long Beach, must first submit an application to the University. Students who already have a Bachelor’s degree, apply to the University immediately. Undergraduate students must apply to the University during the last semester of the Senior year. Instructions applying to CSU Long Beach can be found at /college-of-education/multiple-subject-credential-program-mscp/applying-to-csulb-mscp. 

1.1.1 Being admitted to the University does not mean that students have been admitted to the Multiple Subject Credential Program. Application for admission to the MSCP is a separate procedure with separate requirements and different deadlines from those of the University.

1.1.2 Students unable to meet University application deadlines have the opportunity to enroll in courses on a “space-available” basis through the Open University procedure at College of Continuing & Professional Education at 800.963.2250. Visit their website. Students should apply to CSU Long Beach at the next possible opportunity.

1.2 Apply to the Multiple Subject Credential Program

1.2.1 Post-Bac students must demonstrate Subject Matter Competence when applying to the program, through passage of the CSET (Scores are valid for ten years from date of test passage and must be valid at the time credential is completed.) or through completion of a CTC approved Subject Matter Preparation Program. Candidates that are currently enrolled in the CSULB Liberal Studies BA only program may apply to Credential Program for provisional admission once they have completed a minimum of 4/5 of the subject matter requirements.

1.2.2 Students must have a GPA of at least 2.75 for the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units or 2.67 overall GPA the entire semester or quarter in which the 60 or 90 units began will be used in this calculation. Lower division courses taken after the B.A./B.S. degree was earned, as well as coursework toward a professional degree or training (e.g., Law School, Certified Public Accountant coursework or Massage Therapy training), will be excluded.

1.2.2.1 Applicants to the program with a grade point average below the program standard may petition for exceptional admission.

1.2.2.2 Applicants to the university with a grade point average below the 2.5 standard may petition the university for exceptional admission. Guidelines are available at enrollment services.

1.2.3 Complete the Basic Skills Requirement

1.2.4 Verification of valid CTC Certificate of Clearance, 30 Day Sub Permit, Child Development Permit or Activity Supervisor Permit.

1.2.5 Verification of TB Clearance. Skin tests are valid for 4 years; chest x-rays are valid for 8 years.

1.2.6 Two letters of recommendation, dated and signed within last 2 years; on official letterhead or submission of program recommendation forms

1.2.7 Final Fieldwork Evaluation from EDEL 380. Candidates that have an approved Course Equivalency for EDEL 380 or an approved Fieldwork Waiver are required to submit a third letter of recommendation in place of the Fieldwork Evaluation.

1.2.8 Personal essay

1.2.9 Unofficial copies of all transcripts

1.2.10 Completion of Self-Assessment of Dispositions for Teaching

1.2.11 Submission of a complete program application packet prior to the appropriate deadline. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted.

1.2.12 Enrollment in or successful completion of program prerequisites with a B or better

1.2.13 Successful completion of faculty interview

1.3 All newly admitted candidates are required to attend a mandatory advising meeting shortly after being admitted to the Multiple Subject Credential Program. At the meeting, the MSCP coordinator will provide detailed information regarding candidates’ “Journey through the Multiple Subject Credential Program.” Information regarding this meeting is provided in the program admit letter.

1.4  Undergraduate students are allowed to enroll in any pre-requisite or co-requisite course in preparation for admission to the program.  Undergraduate students who have been  admitted to the Multiple Subject Credential Program are allowed to enroll in any professional preparation course.  (Education Code Section 44320a)

2.1 Candidates must be admitted to the Multiple Subject Credential Program to take program courses (EDEL 442, EDEL 452, EDEL 462, EDEL 472, SCED 475). Students are required to show their instructor their MSCP Admit Card at the beginning of the semester so that they may remain in the course. Without the card, students will be instructed to withdraw from the class or may be dropped administratively.

2.2 Program co-requisites (EDEL 413 and EDEL 431) may be taken at any point in the program but must be completed prior to student teaching.

2.3 All coursework for the credential program, including student teaching, must be completed within seven years of the date the credential was initiated.

2.4 Post-Bac student teachers must complete all pre-requisite, co-requisite, and core courses to advance to student teaching. Post-Bac student teachers may elect to complete SCED 475 during student teaching.

2.5 ITEP candidates who wish to complete student teaching in one semester must complete all pre-requisite, co-requisite, and core courses to advance to student teaching. One-semester student teachers may elect to complete SCED 475 during student teaching.

2.6 Core program courses (EDEL 442, EDEL 452, EDEL 462, EDEL 472, SCED 475) require an additional 10 hours per course of fieldwork. Students are responsible for arranging their schedules to meet all fieldwork requirements including providing proof of TB clearance.

3.1 A minimum average GPA of 3.0 must be maintained in the pedagogy courses, including BILA pedagogy when applicable, with no individual grade lower than a C in any course.

3.2 A pedagogy course may be repeated only once, and no more than one pedagogy course may be repeated. In this instance, only the repeat grade is counted in the Multiple Subject Program when calculating the average GPA for pedagogy courses.

3.3 Students receiving a grade of “D” or “F” or “WU” in a pedagogy course will be placed on probation in the MSCP program and will be required to meet with the Program Coordinator to discuss plans for program completion. Students have two semesters to repeat the pedagogy course in which a “D” or “F” or "WU" was earned. Failure to successfully complete the course during that time period will result in disqualification from the program.

3.4 CSU Chancellor’s Executive Order 1037 restricts undergraduates who earn a “C” in a course from retaking the course for a better grade (while an undergraduate).

3.5 Student teaching is graded on a credit/no credit basis and each section of student teaching may be repeated only once.

4.1 Course equivalencies that are for courses that are over seven years old must have an anticipated student teaching semester indicated and include a statement on what has been done in the content area of the class to keep current on the course topics since the course was taken.

4.2 Courses with pre-approved course equivalencies must have been taken within the last 7 years. However, if the course for which a student is petitioning was taken more than 7 years ago, the student will have the option of submitting a Request to Waive the 7 Year Limit on Credential Coursework.

4.3 Course equivalencies for EDEL courses must include course syllabi to be considered.

4.4 Candidates that receive a course equivalency for EDEL 442 or EDEL 472 will be required to take the CalTPA Non-Submission course to submit CalTPA Tasks 1 or 2.

4.5 Candidates transferring from another institution and submitting two or more course equivalencies from the same institution must get a letter of good standing from the program they are transferring from.

4.6 FOR EDEL 380 Course Equivalencies only: Two different forms are required: completed Course Equivalency Request, and MSCP EDEL 380 Fieldwork Waiver Request with the required documentation (specified on the form) to the Teacher Preparation Advising Center in EED–67, before application to the MSCP.

4.7 A maximum of 9 units may be accepted through course equivalencies from other institutions.

5.1 No fewer than 24 semester units shall be completed in residency (as a matriculated student) at the university. Open University courses do not count toward the residency requirement.

6.1 Subject Matter Competency may be met either through passage of the CSET Multiple Subjects exam or through completion of a CTC approved Subject Matter Preparation Program. 

6.1.1 Post-Bac students must either submit official CSET scores or official verification of completion of a CTC approved subject matter preparation program with their program application. Post-Bac students that completed the CSULB Liberal Studies BA only program or those that completed a Liberal Studies degree at another institution may request an evaluation of their transcripts once they are enrolled in the MSCP pre-requisite courses to waive the CSET exam.

6.1.2 Liberal Studies ITEP students will satisfy the CSULB CTC approved subject matter preparation program with successful completion of their degree requirements. ITEP students do not need to take the CSET exam.

7.1 Candidates may petition to have a maximum of 12 units of credential courses taken as an undergraduate transferred to post-bac units. Students must fill out a “Petition to Earn Post Bac Credit in the Senior Year.” This must be done prior to graduating with the undergraduate degree. These units must be upper division and may not be counted toward the undergraduate degree or be any part of the required 120 units for graduation.

8.1 To advance to student teaching, candidates must submit an application by March 15th for fall student teaching or October 1^st for spring student teaching. Student teaching applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

8.2 Student teaching applications must include the following:

8.2.1 Passing CBEST (or alternative) scores

8.2.2 Passing CSET: Multiple Subjects scores or verification of completion of a CTC approved subject matter program.

8.2.3 Completion of pedagogy courses with at least 3.0 GPA and no grade lower than “C”

8.2.4 Valid CTC fingerprint clearance (Certificate of Clearance)

8.2.5 Verification of a valid, negative tuberculosis test (valid for 4 years) or chest x-ray (valid for 8 years).

8.3 The student teaching semester consists of one of the following options:

8.3.1 One-semester Student Teaching: Two 8-week, 8-unit assignments full-time (five days a week) under the guidance of a Master Teacher and a University Supervisor, for a total of approximately 16 weeks.  ITEP students that wish to complete student teaching in one semester must petition through the Liberal Studies office.

8.3.2 UTEACH/Two-Semester Student Teaching. Two 16-week, 8-unit assignments half-day (four days per week) and one full day per week under the guidance of a Master Teacher and a University Supervisor for a total of approximately 32 weeks. One assignment is in the of a primary grade master Teacher and the other in an upper-grade classroom. Assignments may be at the same or different schools.

8.4 Students meet weekly or biweekly for a required seminar with the University Supervisor.

8.5 Student teaching is graded Credit / No Credit.

8.6 During the first week of student teaching, usually the week prior to the beginning of CSULB classes, students must attend Student Teaching Orientation/Bootcamp.

8.7 Student Teaching Placement

8.7.1 Student Teaching Placements are made by the Office of Clinical Practice. Students may not place themselves. Students may submit a placement recommendation to the Field Placement Coordinator but there is no guarantee that the recommended placement will be made.

8.7.2 Student teaching assignments must be completed in a school district within the CSULB service area (generally within 20 miles from CSULB), and in a school district that CSULB has a current affiliation agreement on file.

8.7.4 The assignment must be a cross-cultural experience in a classroom where at least 25% of the students are of an ethnic, linguistic, cultural, or socio-economic background different from the student teacher’s background.

8.7.5 BILA Option students will be placed in a fully bilingual classroom for their second assignment.

8.7.6 Student teachers may not be placed in a school where a relative is employed (teacher, administrator, staff, etc.)

8.7.7 Student teachers will start their student teaching assignments at the beginning of each semester. They must be in a classroom daily throughout the semester.

8.7.8 School breaks are observed using the school district’s calendar. Student teachers will not be approved to take time off for both CSULB’s Spring Break and the school district’s Spring Break.

8.7.9 Students who are student teaching on an Intern Credential and/or in a year-round school who are “off-track” during the student teaching semester are placed in an alternate grade-level assignment while they are “off-track.”

8.8 Private School Student Teaching

8.8.1 A private school setting may be used for employed student teaching if approved by the Multiple Subject Credential Program Director. Candidates must have sufficient public school experience for approval.

8.9 Student Teaching as a Long Term Sub

8.9.1 Candidates that have been offered a long-term substitution position may petition the Admissions and Standards Committee to use their long-term substitute position to satisfy their student teaching.

8.9.2 Candidates must be eligible to student teach and have applied to student teach for the semester that they have their long term substitute position.

8.9.3 Candidates may not retroactively use a long-term substitute position for student teaching.

8.9.4 Candidates will be required to complete an alternate grade level assignment during or after the long-term substitute position.

9.1 Student teaching applications are valid for one semester only. Students who opt not to student teach during the semester for which they applied, must contact the Office of Clinical Practice (EED-49), 562-985-5499.

9.2 Withdrawing from Student Teaching prior to the start of the student teaching semester:

9.2.1 Students withdrawing from Student Teaching prior to the start of the student teaching semester must fill out a Withdrawal from Student Teaching form, which is available from the Office of Clinical Practice (EED – 49).

9.2.2 Students who are withdrawing from all classes must also fill out an Educational Leave of Absence form which is available on the CSULB Enrollment Services website.

9.2.3 An intern may not withdraw from student teaching or apply for an educational leave of absence while employed at a school district as an intern.

9.2.4 It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from classes with the University. This is a separate process and form, which is available in Enrollment Services.

9.2.5 Students may only withdraw from student teaching one time. If it is necessary to withdraw a second time then the student must go through the MSCP petition process to apply for a third time. Decisions to allow students to apply to student teach beyond the second time will be made on a case-by-case basis through the MSCP petition process.

9.3 Withdrawing from Student Teaching after the start of the student teaching semester due to illness, financial or personal reasons:

9.3.1 Students withdrawing within the 1^st 2 weeks of the semester must submit a Withdrawal from Student Teaching form and fill out an Educational Leave of Absence form. 

9.3.2 It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from classes with the University. This is a separate process and form, which is available in Enrollment Services. See the University’s withdraw policy for more information.

9.3.3 Students withdrawing from student teaching after the start of the student teaching semester due to illness, financial or personal reasons may petition to re-enter student teaching in the future with the MSCP Coordinator’s approval, one time. Students may be asked to demonstrate resolution of the situation so that it will not interfere with student teaching again. If it is necessary to withdraw a second time then the student must go through the MSCP petitioning process to reapply and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions and Standards committee.

9.4 Withdrawing from Student Teaching after the start of the student teaching semester due to poor performance

9.4.1 Students who withdraw from student teaching due to poor performance may petition to re-enter student teaching in the future with the approval of the MSCP Admissions and Standards Committee.

9.4.2 Students will be required to meet with the MSCP Coordinator to discuss their action/remediation plan. Once the action/remediation plan is completed to the satisfaction of the MSCP Coordinator, the student may petition to re-enter student teaching through the Admissions and Standards petition process.

9.4.3 Students must submit a Withdrawal from Student Teaching form, which is available in the Office of Clinical Practice.

9.4.4 It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from classes from the University. This is a separate process and the form is available at Enrollment Services. Students who fail to officially withdraw from EDEL 482 will receive a “NC” rather than “W” on their transcripts.

9.4.5 To reapply to student teach students must submit an application by the appropriate student teaching deadline.

10.1 Student teachers may serve as substitute teachers only if each of the following conditions are met:

• the student teacher possesses a recorded Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit;
• the student teacher is substituting in the classroom s/he is assigned;
• the student teacher is paid by the school district at the standard rate for substitutes in that district;
• the Master Teacher, school principal, and the University Supervisor have given prior approval;
• the student teacher serves as a substitute for no more than five (5) days in each assignment.

11.1 Students must remain in continuous attendance at CSULB (take courses each fall and spring semester). If, for any reason, students are unable to take classes at CSULB for one semester, the candidate should file for an Educational Leave of Absence. This process enables students to take one (and up to two) semesters off without having to reapply to the University upon return.

11.2 Forms are available online. If continuous attendance is broken, the student must meet CSULB and MSCP requirements in effect at the time of readmission to CSULB. Having an officially approved Educational Leave of Absence form on file in Enrollment Services meets the requirement for continuous attendance.

11.3 Being granted an Educational Leave of Absence does not exempt candidates from any credentialing changes put in place by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) that are outside of University or MSCP policy, nor does it extend the seven-year limit on pre-requisite and co-requisite courses.

12.1 The Admissions and Standards Committee (A&S) is comprised of Department of Teacher Education faculty. The Committee serves to:

• Evaluate and make decisions on petitions submitted by MSCP students who are requesting an exception to MSCP program requirements or policies;
• Interpret policies and regulations imposed by the State and the CSU Chancellor’s Office
• Formulate and initiate department policies affecting the program, its students and faculty.

12.2 The A&S Committee meets monthly during the semester; meetings are not scheduled during the summer or winter session. Meeting times are posted on the official MSCP bulletin board located outside EED–67 and on the Multiple Subject website.

12.3 Petitions must be submitted on official petition forms, which are available online. To petition this committee, students must present a case in writing and fully document it. Follow these instructions: Check the MSCP website to find the next A&S meeting scheduled, and the deadline by which a petition must be received for it to be considered at that meeting. Meeting dates are listed under “MSCP Petitions.” Fill out the Petition Cover Sheet, available online under “Documents and Forms.” Complete the petition and accompanying documentation to EED-67 and schedule an appointment to review the petition before it is submitted.

12.4 The Committee’s decision will be mailed within two weeks after the A&S Committee meeting.

12.5 Admissions and Standards Committee decisions on petitions are final. They cannot be appealed to the Department Chair or the Dean of the College of Education.

In order for teacher candidates to continue, they must meet the following criteria specific to the MSCP program:

13.1 Attendance

13.1.1 Candidates are required to attend all class sessions for the entire time without exception.

13.1.2 Candidates are expected to arrive on time to fieldwork and are expected to be there on the days assigned and/or agreed upon with the cooperating teacher.

13.1.3 Candidates are expected to be on time and are required to arrive to the school site at least 30 minutes prior to the first bell and stay until at least 30 after the dismissal bell during student teaching.

13.1.4 Candidates are expected to attend all days of student teaching. Absences must be excused by the University Supervisor and must be made up.

13.2 General Appearance

13.2.1 Candidates should match personal appearance (dress and grooming) to public school faculty in cooperating schools.

13.3 Positive Attitudes

13.3.1 Demonstrates willingness to complete assigned tasks.

13.3.2 Reacts constructively to criticism.

13.4 Professional Behavior

13.4.1 Shows emotional control and poise.

13.4.2 Uses appropriate situational judgment

13.4.3 Knows when to criticize and/or praise educational practices.

13.5 Personal fitness

13.5.1 Demonstrates physical and mental capacity necessary to meet the demands of the public school teaching situation.

13.6 Human Responsibilities

13.6.1 Views self as a member of a professional team.

13.6.2 Candidate maintains effective human relations with pupils, candidates, faculty, cooperating teachers, administrators, and parents.

13.7 Achievement of Program Objectives and Competencies

13.7.1 Complete all listed program objectives and competencies of each phase of the program.

13.7.2 Demonstrate competency in all Teaching Performance Expectations (TPE) to be recommended for the credential. Competency will be determined by a passing score on all TPE evaluations, which include evaluations of student teaching performance and the four California Teaching Performance (TPA) tasks.

13.7.3 Complete satisfactorily all learning tasks assigned by university instructors. Satisfactory completion will be shown through the demonstrated mastery of all assigned readings and other learning tasks, including field based assignments.

13.8 Academic Achievement

13.8.1 Maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average in pedagogy courses, with no grade lower than a “C” in any credential course.

13.8.2 Students receiving a grade of “D” or “F” or “WU” in a pedagogy course will be placed on probation in the MSCP program and will be required to meet with the Program Coordinator to discuss plans for program completion.

13.8.3 Students have two semesters to repeat the pedagogy course in which a “D” or “F” was earned. Failure to successfully complete the course during that time period will result in disqualification from the program

13.8.4 Students who have entered the student teaching phase of their program must maintain high levels of professionalism at all times, as indicated by the characteristics identified above.  A student who is not meeting professionalism standards will be provided with counseling and an intervention plan.  If, during the time period indicated in the intervention plan, the professionalism and performance characteristics are not improved, the student may be removed from student teaching.  Students removed from student teaching may appeal to the Admissions and Standards Committee for reinstatement, but must wait at least one semester before reapplying.  Documentation of completion of the intervention plan may be required for reinstatement.

13.8.5  In exceptional circumstances, a student on an intervention plan may be provided with a second student teaching placement.  Failure to make progress in all areas of performance in this second placement may result in removal from student teaching.

15.1 Grade appeals for EDEL courses are submitted according to University guidelines.

15.2 Oral arguments for EDEL course grade appeals are not allowed by the Teacher Education Department grade appeals committee.

16.1 Section 44335 of the California Education Code requires all candidates for the Multiple Subject Credential to demonstrate knowledge about the United States Constitution. This requirement must be completed before the credential is recommended. The U.S. Constitution requirement can be fulfilled by satisfactory completion of one of the following:

16.1.1 Graduation from a college or university within the California State University system.

16.1.2 Completion of a course on the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution taken at a regionally accredited community college, or a four-year college, or university.

16.1.2.1 At CSULB, candidates may take either Political Science 100, or Political Science 391

16.1.2.2 Verify a course taken at another college or university meets the requirement by contacting the Credential Center EED-42, 562-985-4109, or email credentials@csulb.edu. Provide the Credential Center, with an official transcript showing completion of the course and a copy of the course description.

16.1.3 Pass an examination on the Provisions and Principles of the U.S. Constitution offered by a regionally accredited college or university.

17.1 Candidates for the Multiple Subject Credential are subject to existing and future State requirements as may be imposed by law or California Commission on Teacher Credentialing regulations, regardless of what is posted on the website, in the MSCP Handbook, or in the CSULB catalogue.

18.1 CSULB does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, disability/handicap in educational programs conducted by the University. Student requests for modifications to ensure equal access and benefits, including academic adjustments, auxiliary aides, and accessible programs and facilities should be made to the Director, Bob Murphy Access Center, Student Success Center Room 110, 562-985-5401.

19.1 Candidates may petition any program policy that is listed above by filing a written appeal to the Multiple Subject Admissions and Standards Committee.

19.2 The candidate must obtain a petition form available on the MSCP website under Documents and Forms, type a statement explaining the circumstances of the appeal and asking that an exception be made to program policy, include any supporting documents (test scores, transcripts, etc.), meet with the Program Advisor to obtain their signature and then submit their completed petition packet to the Multiple Subject Credential Program office by posted deadlines.

19.3 The Admissions and Standards committee will review the written statement and supporting evidence.

19.4 After the review, the A&S Committee renders its final decision.

20.1 In order to teach EDEL courses, instructors must:

20.1.1 Possess earned doctorates or exceptional expertise that qualifies them for their assignments

20.1.2 Demonstrate understanding of the context of public elementary schooling

20.1.3 Model best professional practices in teaching and learning, scholarship and service

20.1.4 Contemporary professional experiences in elementary or K-8 school settings

20.1.5 A license in the field and at the level that they teach

20.2 In order to supervise Student Teachers in the MSCP Program, supervisors just:

20.2.1 Minimum 3 years K-12 teaching experience (public or private) or equivalent. Equivalency will be determined by consultation among the MSCP Program Director, the Chair of Teacher Education, and the university supervisor.

20.2.2 Hold or previously held Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or equivalent. Equivalency will be determined by consultation among the MSCP Program Director, the Chair of Teacher Education, and the university supervisor.

20.2.3 Contemporary professional experiences in the school settings at the level they supervise.

20.3 Cooperating/Master Teacher Qualifications

20.3.1 In order to supervise student teachers, cooperating/master teachers must hold a valid clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

20.3.2 Tenured in their district or have a minimum of 3 years successful teaching experience

20.3.3 Demonstrate commitment and ability to mentor student teachers