How to Apply

The application process is entirely online. No items need to be mailed, upload all of your application items to your application account.

1. Create an account. Then, complete the application at your own pace.
2. Ensure that your uploaded documents are easy to view online.
3. Complete all required sections.
4. Save often, submit once. You may access and update your application as many times as you like before submission. You are encouraged to submit your completed application a few weeks before the deadline.

Application Requirements

For requirements for all School of Education programs, visit the general admission requirements page.

For international students, please visit the international student requirements page. 

1. Completed online application with non-refundable $55 application fee.
2. One set of unofficial transcripts from each university/college previously attended. For U.S. applicants, the degree must be from a regionally accredited university/college. An applicant with a pending degree must provide official verification of expected degree completion from institution's Registrar or school official. An undergraduate degree is required to apply to a master's program. A master's degree is required to apply for a doctoral program. Please note: if admitted you will need to submit official transcripts prior to enrolling.
3. Applicants must have earned their Bachelor's and/or Masters' degrees from a regionally accredited institution. They must provide a background of academic preparation and/or professional experience that demonstrates their ability to pursue graduate level programs.
4. Recommended GPA of 2.75.
5. Two current letters of recommendation, noting suitability for graduate work.
6. Current résumé.
7. Statement of Intent: Describe your interest in becoming a classroom teacher, relevant experience, connection to our social justice mission, and qualities/aspirations you would bring to our program. Also tell us why you have chosen to apply to Teacher Education and USF (2-4 pages, double spaced).

Subject Matter Requirement

California law requires that all teaching credential candidates show they are proficient in the subject matter area of the credential that they are seeking. For example, someone seeking a Single Subject English credential needs to show that they have the English content knowledge that is required to teach students English in a K-12 setting. Content experts and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) developed a set of "domains" for each credential, which are designed to measure the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities within the subject area of the intended credential.

At admission, the Director of Assessment reviews the transcripts and/or examination scores that you submit with your application to determine whether you meet any of the domains for your intended credential through past coursework and/or examinations and shares a letter with you reflecting which domains have been met.

If you have not met the Subject Matter Requirement (SMR) at the time of admission, you will have the opportunity to meet with your academic advisor and the Director of Assessment in the first semester of the program to determine a plan for meeting any remaining domains through approved coursework, such as at a community college, the applicable CSET examinations, or a combination of these options. If you plan to fulfill the requirement through CSET examinations, you may take the applicable CSETs prior to this meeting.

Deadline

The deadline for meeting the SMR is before entering your Student Teaching II/III courses, which are usually taken in the third semester of the program. You cannot enter your Student Teaching II/III courses until your SMR is met, which may delay completion of your program and credential. If you are interested in serving as an intern teacher, which in some cases could be possible by the second semester of your program, SMR must also be met before eligibility for an intern credential can be established.

Options for Meeting the SMR

There are three possible ways to meet the SMR:

1. Pass CSET tests for the domain(s) that was/were not met at admission.
2. Take community college coursework that covers content for the domain(s) that was/were not met at admission.
3. Complete a combination of CSETs and community college coursework.

You can review CTC-approved options for meeting the SMR on the Commission on Teacher Credentialing website.

Contact schoolofeducation@uscfca.edu if you have questions about these requirements.