Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential (Graduate)
Program Description
Biola’s California Multiple Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential program allows students to study in a fully online environment. The SB2042 Professional Teacher Preparation Program is available for the Multiple Subject Credential and is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The SB2042 Multiple Subject Credential authorizes instruction in any self-contained classroom for grades K–12, preschool, and classes organized primarily for adults, but is especially appropriate for grades K–6. This credential also includes authorization to teach English Language Learners in self-contained core settings.
The Multiple Subject Teaching Credential is primarily appropriate for elementary 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 their California Preliminary Multiple 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 Multiple Subject credential, students will be able to:
- Identify and articulate God's calling as Christian educators by reflecting on their spiritual journey and their educational preparation in a Biblically integrated essay, and demonstrate Christian attitudes and actions conducive to professional excellence and witness by maintaining high professional disposition marks in coursework and fieldwork (ULO 1, 2, and 3).
- Examine and analyze their students' cognitive, social, and physical growth through the gathering of student profile data, monitoring their progress, and providing constructive feedback to maximize students' optimum development (ULO 1).
- Demonstrate respect for diversity in cross-cultural and special population educational settings in order to promote equity and justice as exhibited in differentiated learning plans, response to profile data, and high marks in professional dispositions throughout coursework and fieldwork experiences (ULO 1, 2, and 3).
- Design and implement appropriate adaptations to ensure the attainment of a productive learning environment for each student enrolled in candidates' classes by focused evaluation and reflection of each student's strengths and needs. Candidates will also utilize developmental and learning theories, as a foundation for professional decision-making and reflection by identifying student learning needs and making appropriate adaptations to ensure student learning (ULO 1 and 3).
- Design and implement developmentally appropriate lessons, by using the California state-adopted academic content and Common Core standards as a foundation for lessons that integrate aspects of God's natural revelation (ULO 1 and 3).
- Design and implement appropriate and effective learning strategies by designing grade and subject-specific lesson and unit plans (ULO 1 and 3).
- Design and practice strategies that foster a safe and equitable learning environment that encourages students to take intellectual risks by demonstrating their knowledge of a comprehensive classroom management plan (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
- Applicants must have completed 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 the start of the second term.
- 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 or meet one area of the Basic Skills Requirement in an approved California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) option.
- Satisfy Subject Matter Competency by an approved California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) option or continuous progress toward meeting the subject matter requirement.
- Have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Hold a valid Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and submit valid TB test results.
- 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
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.
1. Teacher Preparation and Subject-Specific Pedagogy Courses
All candidates for the Preliminary Multiple Subject (MS) 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 five semesters.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Service Coursework | ||
| SEED 519 | Foundations of Education | 2 |
| SEED 541 | Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 |
| SEED 520 | Elementary Reading/Language Arts | 3 |
| Teacher Preparation Coursework | ||
| SEED 526 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| SEED 538 | Elementary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 3 |
| Pedagogy Coursework | ||
| SEED 507 | Art Workshop for Elementary School Teaching | 1 |
| SEED 508 | Music Workshop for Elementary School Teaching | 1 |
| SEED 509 | Elementary Mathematics/Science Workshop | 2 |
| SEED 516 | Elementary Physical Education Workshop | 1 |
| SEED 536 | Elementary Health Curriculum and Methods | 1 |
| SEED 537 | Elementary History - Social Science Curriculum and Methods | 1 |
| SEED 549 | Studies in Children's Literature | 1 |
| Clinical Practice Coursework | ||
| SEED 512 | Elementary Student Teaching I | 6 |
| SEED 513 | Elementary Student Teaching II | 6 |
| Total Credits | 34 | |
2. Taskstream Subscription
Candidates must have a paid subscription to Taskstream while taking teacher preparation courses, pedagogy courses, and during student teaching.
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 student teach 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 student teaching.
6. RICA Exam
Multiple Subject candidates must pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) exam prior to applying for a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential.
7. 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 student teaching.
8. CalTPA
Candidates must meet or exceed the minimum standards for passing the two state-mandated California Teaching Performance Assessments (CalTPAs). Cycle 1 of the CalTPAs must be passed prior to student teaching. Cycle 2 must be passed prior to applying for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. Fieldwork Evaluation
Candidates must obtain good to excellent scores in each fieldwork evaluation for teacher preparation coursework including student teaching.
12. 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.
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 |
13. 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.
14. Advisor Contact
Candidates must meet regularly with an advisor to ensure that all requirements are met.
Applying for a Credential
After successfully completing student teaching 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.
SB 57 Options for Private School Teachers
Under SB57 legislation, candidates employed three or more years in WASC-accredited schools may qualify for evaluation by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) of teaching experience in lieu of student teaching. Candidates employed six or more years may qualify for evaluation by the CTC of teaching experience in lieu of teaching methodology coursework and student teaching. See a credential analyst for details.
Student Teaching Under Contract
Candidates who are already full-time teachers in public schools or WASC-accredited private schools may interview to student teach under contract. These candidates may be eligible to complete coursework and Student Teaching at their current school site. Please contact the appropriate Director of Teacher Preparation during the student teaching application process.
Student Teaching Overseas
Candidates may elect to do one half of their student teaching overseas at a U.S. regionally-accredited or similarly accredited school. If interested, see one of the Directors of Teacher Preparation at least one year in advance of your overseas placement.
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 Professional Teacher Preparation 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.
