Internship Pathway

Prior to being intern eligibility, Single Subject candidates must complete 120 hours of pre-service hours through completion (and grades posted) of the following 12 semester units of coursework and the clinical practice components within each course.  

1. EDP 301 – Child Development and Learning
   or
   EDP 302 – Early and Late Adolescent Development
   or
   EDP 305 – Educational Psychology
2. EDSS 300 (Subject Specific) – Introduction to Teaching
3. EDSE 436 – Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Classroom Management
4. EDSE 457 or 458 or 459– Reading and Writing in Secondary Schools

In addition to completing the courses listed above candidates must also satisfy the following requirements prior to being intern eligible: 

1. Be in good standing in the program and the university; 
2. Be a matriculated CSULB student; 
3. Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the US or equivalent. 
4. Be enrolled in at least one program course each semester and receive a grade of C or better (must have a B or better in EDSS 450); 
5. Have completed the Basic Skills Requirement; 
6. Demonstrate subject matter competence; 
7. Have completed the U. S. Constitution requirement; 
8. Demonstrate relevant, successful experience working with students; 

NOTE: Being offered an internship position by a district does not guarantee that an internship will be approved. 

Once candidates have completed ALL of the above requirements (with grades posted for the courses listed above), they are eligible for an internship and can request an Internship Eligibility Letter by clicking below to provide school districts when applying for teaching positions. Processing time for Intern Eligibility Letters is 2-4 weeks. 

Request an Internship Eligibility Letter

Candidates find their own employment and complete an additional intern application with the Single Subject Credential Program and with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Candidates must consult with their Credential Program Advisor and the Single Subject Credential Program as they explore the possibility of doing an internship.

All candidates, including interns, are required to complete the student teaching requirement. Candidates approved for an internship use their full time teaching position as their student teaching placement. Interns are held to all the same requirements as traditional student teachers the only difference is that they are working full time as a teacher of record and complete the requirements in their own classroom. 

To student teach, interns must meet all requirements for traditional student teaching, including timely submission of the student teaching application. When approved for student teaching, Interns register for 15 units of Intern Student Teaching (EDSS 572 A,B,C) and the 3-unit Student Teaching Seminar (EDSS 473) as scheduled by their program.  A University Mentor observes the intern periodically during the term, conferences with the intern after site visits, and provides required support.  The school provides a Site Support Teacher (Mentor Teacher) who functions as the Intern’s on-site mentor.  The Site Support Teacher/Mentor Teacher must hold a clear credential in the same authorization area that the intern candidate is seeking. The school site also provides required support outlined in the internship agreement. 

Interns are evaluated by the University Mentor and the Mentor Teacher at midterm and at the end of the semester.  In conference, evaluations are reviewed, discussed, and signed.  The performance areas and indicators on the Evaluation Form are closely linked to the California Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). Interns are also subject to the evaluation practices and requirements of their school site. 

Candidates that are intending on applying for an internship position should meet with their Subject Area Faculty Coordinator early in the program to discuss the Internship Pathway, requirements and any subject specific requirements that may also be in place. While searching and applying for an Internship position be sure to keep in mind the CSULB service area is 15-20 miles from campus and also be sure to check the Credential Center's website to ensure CSULB has an internship agreement with the district/school. 

Step 1

• Obtain a full-time teaching position in a district in which CSULB has a valid Internship and Affiliation Agreement on file.
• Check the Credential Center website to ensure CSULB has an internship agreement on file with the district/charter school.
• Contact your Subject Area Faculty Coordinator immediately to discuss the position and ensure that the position meets all of the program requirements for student teaching and is in your subject area's service area.(Not all districts listed on the Credential Center’s website are approved by all programs. Check with your Subject Area Faculty Coordinator for program specific service areas.) 
• Secure an official offer of employment from the district on letterhead that states the district and school you will be teaching at, your start date, your assignment (grade level) and the type of credential/permit you will be working under through with the CTC.
• Work with your principal and district to secure a Site Support/Mentor Teacher at your school site that holds a clear credential in the same authorization area that the intern candidate is seeking and has a minimum of three years of content area K-12 teaching experience.

The last day to submit an official offer of internship employment is August 1st for fall student teaching and January 3rd for spring student teaching.

Step 2

• Make an appointment with Jessica Olague in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center to review the Internship Eligibility requirements and the Internship Application process. Email Jessica Olague at jessica.olague@csulb.edu to set up an Internship Appointment.

Step 3  

• Complete the Internship Application Packet – Intern Application Letter, Intern Candidate Agreement, Principal Agreement, Mentor Teacher Agreement, Intern Application letter, etc. This application will be given to the candidate when they meet with Jessica Olague

Step 4

• Submit your completed Internship Application Packet via DocuSign for approval from your Subject Area Faculty Coordinator and the Single Subject Credential Program Director.   
   
• All internship application materials should be submitted to the Teacher Preparation Advising Center via DocuSign no later than August 15th for fall student teaching and January 10th for spring student teaching.  An internship may not be started without an approved application on file with the Subject Area Advisor and the Single Subject Credential office.       

Once the Credential Center has received all the required documents and approvals and there is an Approved Internship Agreement in place between CSULB and the district, you will be recommended to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for your Internship Credential.  You will then receive an email from the CTC stating that you have been recommended for a document and you will then need to go to the link in the email and apply on the CTC website for your Internship Credential. 

Please keep in mind that the Internship Credential is valid for 2 years.  All program requirements including passage of the CalTPAs must be completed to be recommended for your Preliminary Teaching Credential. 

To remain an active intern candidates must remain in good standing To be in good standing means candidates: 

• Remain a matriculated CSULB student. Interns are not permitted to take a Leave of Absence.  
• Be enrolled in an Intern Support Course or Intern student teaching each semester 
• Maintain a 2.67 overall GPA or a 2.75 in my last 60 semester/90 quarter units 
• Maintain a 3.0 in all program courses with nothing lower than a C (B or better in EDSS 450) 
• Log weekly intern support hours each month 
• Attempt any outstanding assessments each semester to continue making progress toward earning my preliminary credential. 
• Participate in all required intern orientations.  
• Complete a Continuing Intern Candidate Agreement Each semester employed on an Internship Credential. 

The Single Subject Credential Program is a self-paced program allowing candidates to attend full or part time. To be intern eligible candidates must first apply to the University, complete the pre-requisite course in their first semester and apply to the program, then take the additional courses to be intern eligible in the second semester or summer session. Once intern eligible (see requirements above), candidates can then obtain a full-time teaching position and have up to 2 years to complete the remaining courses and student teaching requirements while working full time as a teacher of record. Below is a suggested intern course sequence:

Semester 1 - 12-15 units

• EDSS 300
• EDSP 355B
• H SC 411B
• ED P 301/302/305
• Level I Tech

Semester 2 - 6 units (can be in the summer)

• EDSE 436
• EDSE 457/458/459

*Candidates are internship eligible after the successful completion of semester 2 courses.

Semester 3 - 8 units

• EDSE 435
• EDSS 450
• EDSS 597

Semester 4 - 18 units

• EDSS 572A
• EDSS 572B
• EDSS 572C
• EDSS 473

The Early Completion Intern Option (ECO) is intended to provide individuals who have requisite skills and knowledge an opportunity to challenge the course work portion of a Multiple or Single Subject Intern Program and demonstrate pedagogical skills through a performance assessment while in a Commission-approved intern program.

To be eligible for the Early Completion Intern Option candidates must:

1. Be admitted to the Single Subject Credential Program and the Internship Pathway (See above)
2. Passage of the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK): Secondary (Test code 052)

If you have met the above requirements, schedule an appointment to meet with the program Internship Advisor.

Once admitted to the ECO pathway, interns must successfully pass the Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) on the first attempt. Candidates that do not pass the TPA on the first attempt must complete the full program.