Teacher Induction Credential

Program Description

The Teacher Induction Education Specialist credential is a two-year, individualized, job-embedded system of mentoring, support and professional development beginning in the candidate’s first years of teaching. This program is designed for candidates who already hold a valid Preliminary Teaching Credential. Holders of preliminary multiple-subject, single-subject, and education-specialist (deaf education, early childhood education, mild to moderate and extensive support needs) credentials are eligible to apply for this program. The Teacher Induction program focuses on the teacher's needs through an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) in order to expand and deepen their knowledge, skills, and abilities targeted to the teacher's employment and career goals in their development as a teacher.

The traditional induction program is 14-units. This includes 6 units in semester 1, 1 unit in semesters 2 and 3, and 6 units in semester 4. Induction can also be completed in conjunction with a Master’s degree in any of the preliminary credential areas named above. The units for each of these programs vary and are identified through meeting with a faculty advisor.  A one-year early completion induction program option is available to students who have already taught for three or more years with at least one year as the teacher of record, obtain a signed administrator support letter, and have received a high score on their state-required teacher performance assessment (e.g., edTPA, CalTPA). Early completion program admission is not guaranteed and requires review from an induction advisor. Please contact an advisor if you are interested in the early-completion option.

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the department. See Notice to Students: Licensure and Certification for more information.

Program Requirements: Traditional Program

1. Traditional Induction Program (8 units)

  • SPED 628MS Induction and the Individualized Learning Plan (3)*
  • SPED 614A Learning About Myself as a Professional Educator (1)**
  • SPED 614B Working with Education Stakeholders (1)**
  • SPED 638 Educators as Agents of Change (3)***

2. Pedagogy Courses (6 units)

  • Pedagogy Course 1
  • Pedagogy Course 2

Pedagogy courses are selected from an approved list of Master’s level course offerings with approval from a faculty induction advisor and may be used for the Master’s degree. Courses used for the Preliminary Credential cannot be counted toward the Induction Credential.

Total Units Required for the Credential: 14

Program Requirements: Early Completion Induction Program

1. Induction (6 units)

  • SPED 628 Induction and the Individualized Learning Plan (3)*
  • SPED 638 Educators as Agents of Change (3)***

2. Pedagogy Courses (6 units)

  • Pedagogy Course 1
  • Pedagogy Course 2

Other Requirements:

  1. Candidates must maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 with no grades lower than "C" in program coursework.
  2. Candidates must remain employed as a teacher in their credential area for the duration of the program.
  3. Candidates must be assigned a school site mentor for the duration of the program

Visit the Credential section of this Catalog for more information.

*Must be taken the first semester of the program.

**These courses are waived if the candidate is enrolled in a concurrent Master’s program

***Must be taken the final semester of the program.

Purpose of the Program 

The purpose of the Teacher Induction Credential Program is to provide a program of mentoring and support for beginning teachers. Candidates develop an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) designed to strengthen their professional practice through self-assessment, goal setting, and reflection.

There are three options for completing the Teacher Induction Program, please see below: Traditional Induction Only (four semesters), Early Completion Induction (2 semesters) and Master’s Degree and Induction Combined (4 semesters). The following Teacher Induction Pathways Flow Chart can help you decide on the correct pathway for you:

Chart

 

See this chart as a PDF

Contact Information and Advisement

Before applying to the Induction Program you should contact a faculty advisor in the appropriate area. Contact information by specialization area is as follows:

Admission Requirements

Current and Continuing CSUN Students

1. Credential Program Application - Submit an online credential program application along with a nonrefundable $50.00 application processing fee (an additional $1.38 service fee will be assessed at checkout).

2.Valid Preliminary Credential- You must possess a valid California Preliminary Teaching Credential.

3. Verification of Employment - You must be currently employed as a teacher by a California school district, charter school, or private school. You will need to submit a Verification of Employment Form completed by your employing district. To continue in the program, you must remain employed during the two-year period of the program. Participating teachers who separate from their employment during a course will be required to stop the program and return when re-employed.

4. GPA Requirement – A cumulative GPA of 2.50 in your last 60 units is required for admission.

 

New or Returning CSUN Students

1. University Application - Submit an online university application at Cal State Apply. There will be a $70.00 application fee for this application. Please review the application guide for the credential candidates here. 

2. Credential Program Application - Submit an online credential program application along with a nonrefundable $50.00 application processing fee (an additional $1.38 service fee will be assessed at checkout).

3.Valid Preliminary Credential- You must possess a valid California Preliminary Teaching Credential.

4. Verification of Employment - You must be currently employed as a teacher by a California school district, charter school, or private school. You will need to submit a Verification of Employment Form completed by your employing district. To continue in the program, you must remain employed during the two-year period of the program. Participating teachers who separate from their employment during a course will be required to stop out of the program until re-employed.

5. GPA Requirement – A cumulative GPA of 2.50 in your last 60 units is required for admission. 

6. Transcripts –  Official transcripts from each institution you have attended (including community colleges) must be submitted. If you are a CSUN graduate, the only transcripts you are required to submit are for any other post baccalaureate coursework that you have completed at another institution. 

Electronic Transcripts:

  • In your previous school’s transcript ordering system, choose "CSU Northridge" as the recipient. If this option is not available, use registrar@csun.edu as the recipient email address.
  • If submitting California community college transcripts, please review eTranscript California and use this convenient system.
  • If you are a CSUN graduate, the only transcripts you are required to submit are for any other post baccalaureate coursework that you have completed at another institution.
  • Both Graduate Admissions and the Credentials Office will have access to your electronic transcripts, so no duplicates are needed.
  • Please do not send identical, duplicate electronic and paper transcripts!

Paper transcripts:

  • If your previous school(s) do not supply electronic transcripts, have official paper copies of your transcripts sent in unopened envelopes to:

California State University,

Northridge Office of the Registrar

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330-8207 

Foreign transcripts (if applicable):

 

  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide a sealed official evaluation to the Office of International Admissions. 
  • An official detailed evaluation of coursework must be conducted by an approved agency. For a list of approved agencies, visit FOREIGN TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION (ca.gov)
  • The sealed official evaluation will need to be mailed to International Admissions at the following address:

California State University, Northridge
International Admissions- Bayramian Hall 160
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8207

Program Requirements

GPA and Retention - Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 with no grades lower than "C" in the professional program coursework.

Maintain Employment – You must remain employed as a teacher in your credential area for the duration of the program. If you need to switch jobs please contact your program advisor.

Maintain School Site Mentor - You must maintain an active mentoring relationship with a school site mentor who you meet with 30-60 minutes weekly for the duration of the program. The school site mentor is identified by your employer. Any compensation for the school site mentor is provided by your employer.

Early Completion Option

While most students complete the program in two years, certain candidates are eligible for Early Completion. If you have successfully completed a year of induction through a different program, or you have more than two years of teaching experience under an issued preliminary credential, you may be able to complete the Induction Program in one year. Early completion is not guaranteed and requires a review from the Induction Advisor.

Program Completion Process

Information regarding how to apply for the clear credential can be found on our website.

IMPORTANT! Before beginning the online application, make sure you are not logged into the CSUN portal.  All required documents must be uploaded with your online application. Do not mail or fax any documents.

Application & Submission Guide

Please read our application guide fully, then click the link below to proceed to submit your application.

This guide will also assist you during the application submission process. If you experience issues while completing your application, refer back to the guide prior to contacting the Credential Office.

Read the Credential Application Guide

Apply Now!