Single Subject Credential Intern (Graduate)
Program Description
Biola’s California Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential program allows students to study in a fully online environment. The SB2042 Professional Teacher Preparation Program is available for Single Subject Credentials and is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The Single Subject Credential authorizes instruction in the subjects listed on the credential in departmentalized classes at any grade level including preschool, grades K–12, and classes organized primarily for adults, but is especially appropriate for middle school and high school. This program authorizes you to teach art, English, health science, mathematics, music, physical education, social science, science or Spanish. This credential also includes authorization to teach English Language Learners within the content area.
The intern track involves successful completion of prerequisites and additional requirements followed by completion of online coursework while you are employed as a full-time Single Subject credential teacher under our intern credential.
The Single Subject Credential is primarily appropriate for middle school and high school teachers. As you develop a foundation in lesson planning, classroom technology, psychology and reading, you will have opportunities to observe and participate firsthand in the methods used by cooperating teachers during fieldwork placements. After completion of coursework and the associated requirements, you will be formally recommended for the California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential. You can also receive your ACSI Teacher Certification while earning your California preliminary teaching credential by meeting additional requirements.
Program Learning Outcomes
Biola University's graduate teacher preparation candidates are expected to exemplify the following outcomes upon the completion of the Single Subject credential, students will be able to:
- Teacher candidates will demonstrate the ability to engage and support all students in learning by applying knowledge of their backgrounds, strengths, and needs (ULO 1).
- Candidates will create and maintain effective learning environments that promote social-emotional growth, inclusivity, and cultural responsiveness. They will establish supportive, respectful classroom communities that honor student diversity and maintain high expectations for all learners, fostering a positive climate where every student can thrive academically and personally (ULO 1, 2, and 3).
- Candidates will demonstrate strong content knowledge and the ability to organize subject matter in ways that promote deep understanding and engagement. They will design and adapt instruction to meet the diverse academic needs of all learners, using effective curricular planning and instructional strategies that make content accessible, relevant, and meaningful (ULO 1, 2, and 3).
- Candidates will use knowledge of students’ backgrounds, learning profiles, and interests to plan effective instruction and design inclusive learning experiences that foster success, engagement, and student autonomy. They will integrate technology thoughtfully to enhance learning and create developmentally appropriate, goal-driven plans that support all students in achieving academic growth (ULO 1 and 3).
- Candidates will use a variety of formative and summative assessments to monitor student progress, inform instruction, and support learning. They will engage students in self-assessment and reflection to build ownership of their learning and communicate assessment results clearly and effectively with students and families to promote academic growth and shared responsibility (ULO 1 and 3).
- Candidates will develop as reflective, ethical, and growth-oriented educators who recognize and address personal biases, set meaningful professional learning goals, and collaborate effectively with colleagues and families. They will demonstrate professional responsibility, uphold ethical conduct, and commit to equitable practices that support the holistic success of all students. As Christian educators, candidates will identify and articulate God’s calling in their vocation by reflecting on their spiritual journey and educational preparation through biblically integrated reflection. They will consistently demonstrate Christ-like attitudes and actions that contribute to professional excellence and serve as a witness in both coursework and field experiences (ULO 1, 2, and 3).
- Candidates will demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver effective, comprehensive literacy instruction for all students, including English learners. They will apply research-based pedagogical theories, principles, and practices to support reading, writing, listening, and speaking development, and will differentiate instruction to meet diverse language and literacy needs in culturally and linguistically responsive ways (ULO 1 and 3).
Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of all bachelor's requirements prior to the start of the program and must have a bachelor's degree conferred from a regionally accredited institution prior to applying for Intern Credential.
- Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved organization and verified equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree.
- Satisfy Basic Skills Requirement by an approved California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) option.
- Satisfy Subject Matter Competency by an approved California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) option.
- Passage of the U.S. Constitution exam or completion of approved course passed with a grade of C or higher. Official exam scores or official transcript required.
- Have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Verification of a valid Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and submit valid TB test results.
- Verification of an offer of employment from a school district which meets site criteria.
- Applicants for whom English is not a primary language must verify a score of 100 iBT on the TOEFL exam.
- Complete Biola University's Graduate Education Application.
- Interview with a member of the School of Education.
Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student's academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.
Preliminary Credential Teacher Preparation Requirements
Candidates will be formally recommended to the State of California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing for an Intern Credential when all of the above admissions requirements are met and candidate is enrolled in pre-service coursework.
After successfully completing the requirements below, candidates make an appointment with a credential analyst in the School of Education at Biola University and apply for the Preliminary Credential from the State of California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Waiving Credential Coursework
Coursework from an accredited program may be considered for waiver up to a maximum of 9 director-evaluated and approved credits for their Multiple or Single Subject Preliminary Credential courses. Courses being used for waiver must be equivalent to Biola University's Teacher Credential programs and have direct applicability to the student's program design. Only courses with a grade of B- (2.7) on a 4.0 grade scale or higher will be considered towards the Teacher Credential programs; a grade of C+ (2.3) or lower will not be waived. Courses considered for waiver must have been taken within five years prior to the date of admission. Credential courses taken as an Undergraduate may be used to waive credential course requirements, however, such courses cannot transfer in for academic graduate credit on a Biola transcript. Waived course credits are not required to be made up.
1. Teacher Preparation and Subject-Specific Pedagogy Courses
All candidates for the Preliminary Single Subject (SS) Teaching Credential must complete the following graduate teacher preparation courses. Please meet with an academic advisor for course scheduling options. This program must be started in the summer and can take up to four semesters.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Service Coursework | ||
| SEED 519 | Foundations of Education | 2 |
| SEED 541 | Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| SEED 525 | Secondary Content Area Reading | 3 |
| Teacher Preparation Coursework | ||
| SEED 526 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| SEED 539 | Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 3 |
| Pedagogy Coursework | ||
| SEED 533 | Single Subject Pedagogy | 2 |
| Intern Support Seminar Coursework | ||
| SEED 625 | Secondary Intern Seminar I | 3 |
| SEED 626 | Secondary Intern Seminar II | 3 |
| SEED 627 | Secondary Intern Seminar III | 3 |
| SEED 628 | Secondary Intern Seminar IV | 3 |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
2. Taskstream Subscription
Candidates must have a paid subscription to Taskstream while taking teacher preparation courses, pedagogy courses, and during intern seminars.
3. Certificate of Clearance and Tuberculosis (TB) Test
Candidates must obtain a valid Certificate of Clearance prior to taking SEED 519, in order to participate in the required fieldwork sequence. Fees required.
Candidates must submit valid TB test results prior to taking SEED 519, and as needed in order to participate in the required fieldwork sequence in the Teacher Preparation Program. Fees required.
4. Minimum Grades and GPA Requirements
All teaching credential candidates must maintain an overall 3.0 grade point average (GPA). Students must receive a grade of B- or higher in all teacher preparation and pedagogy courses and score an 83% or higher in all key assignments in order to intern and to be formally recommended for a Preliminary Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential.
5. Basic Skills Requirement
Candidates must satisfy the basic skills requirement by an approved California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) option. This requirement must be met prior to applying for internship.
6. Subject Matter Competency Requirement
Candidates must satisfy subject matter competency by an approved California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) option. This requirement must be met prior to applying for internship.
7. CalTPA
Candidates must meet or exceed the minimum standards for passing the two state-mandated California Teaching Performance Assessments (CalTPAs). Candidates are expected to pass Cycle 1 of the CalTPAs prior to Secondary Intern Seminar III. (Candidates will be required to enroll in additional CalTPA remediation course(s) if Cycle 1 is not passed by the end of Intern Seminar II.) Cycle 2 must be passed prior to applying for the Preliminary Single Subject Credential.
8. Recommendation
Candidates must be recommended by the faculty of the School of Education as having all requisite professional qualities to be successful as a teacher.
9. Professional Dispositions and Competencies Evaluations
Candidates must demonstrate high performance in each Professional Dispositions and Competencies Evaluation for teacher preparation and pedagogy coursework in order to remain in the Teacher Preparation Program. Evidence of unaddressed concerns (scores of 1 or 2), or failing to meet a professional disposition may lead to dismissal.
10. Fieldwork Evaluation
Candidates must obtain good to excellent scores in each fieldwork evaluation for teacher preparation coursework including intern seminars.
11. U.S. Constitution Requirement
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that a teaching credential candidate must have completed a minimum 2-credit course that covers the U.S. Constitution or fulfill this requirement by examination. This requirement must be met prior to applying for the intern program.
Transfer coursework must be reviewed by a credential analyst in the School of Education. Candidates who have taken one of the courses listed below, with a grade of C or better at Biola University, have met this requirement.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 200 | United States History To 1865 | 3 |
| POSC 225 | Survey of American Government | 3 |
12. CPR
Candidates must show verification of current training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — infant, child and adult — that meets the standards of either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross when applying for the Preliminary Teaching Credential.
13. Advisor Contact
Candidates must meet regularly with an advisor to ensure that all requirements are met.
Early Completion Option
The Early Completion Option (ECO) is intended to provide individuals who have requisite skills and knowledge an opportunity to challenge the course work portion of a Multiple Subject (MS) or Single Subject (SS) Intern Credentialing Program. The Early Completion Option does not waive the entire program but allows for an expedited pathway by waiving preparation program coursework for those candidates who meet the Early Completion Intern Option Requirements.
Applying for a Credential
After successfully completing all intern support seminars and the associated requirements, candidates make an appointment with a credential analyst in the School of Education at Biola University and apply for the Preliminary Teaching Credential from the State of California's Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Teaching, ACSI
Application information may be obtained from the ACSI liaison in the School of Education Office. The credential program at Biola University meets the requirements for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Certificate. Requirements are identical to the California Preliminary Credential Program as well as:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Add 6 credits of Bible courses | 6 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Integration Seminar: Christian Philosophy of Education | ||
| Philosophy and Values in Schools and Society | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
The Intern Credential Program leading to a California Preliminary Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation and for accreditation/reporting purposes. Please see a credential analyst for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential.
