Pre-credential Program

I am already a History major, why do I need to complete a pre-credential program to teach history?

·        To teach history in junior high or high school in the state of California, you must satisfy three requirements:

o       Complete a bachelor’s degree;

o       Demonstrate subject matter competency by completing a Subject Matter Program OR passing the CSET exams in social science;

o       Obtain a single subject teaching credential in social science (there’s no such thing as a history teaching credential).

·        The History BA/Social Science pre-credential program is an approved Subject Matter Program (sometimes referred to as a “waiver program”). Students who complete this program do not need to take the CSET exams to demonstrate subject matter competency. (At Sac State students also have the option of completing a similar program as a Social Science major).

What is the difference between the History BA and the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program?

• History BA is a 42-unit major that is suitable for students who are generally not interested in teaching at the secondary level. Students who complete the standard History BA at Sac State work in a number of professional fields including law, public history, publishing, and academia. Students interested in eventually teaching at the community college or university level must complete a History MA or PhD.

• History BA/Social Science pre-credential program (html link to Required Coursework) is designed especially for students would plan to teach junior high or high school history. Pre-credential students earn a History BA while satisfying the requirements for subject matter competency in social science set by the CTC. The pre-credential program provides students with a rigorous academic training in history that also addresses their future roles as educators. The program culminates in two low-enrollment senior seminars developed to meet the needs of future teachers.

  • Housed in the History Department, the pre-credential program is run by History faculty who serve as major advisors for students who would like to become history teachers. Faculty advisors also teach the senior seminars.

  • The academic program is a 72-unit major that requires 39 units of history coursework and 33 units of coursework in Social Science.

  • The History BA/Social Science pre-credential program is a CTC-approved Subject Matter Program that meets the state requirements for subject matter competency in social science expected of all students entering a single subject teaching credential program.

What is the Social Science BA pre-credential program?

• Social Science BA pre-credential program is similar to the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program except students complete fewer units of history coursework and receive a Social Science BA instead of a History BA. This is a Subject Matter Program that meets the state requirements for subject matter competency in social science expected of all students entering a single subject teaching credential program. If you are interested in becoming a Social Science major, contact Prof. Tim Fong, Director of Social Science (tfong01@csus.edu)

What is Liberal Studies?

• Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students interested in teaching at the primary (K-6) grade level. This program prepares students to satisfy the CA state subject matter competency requirement for a multiple subject teaching credential. If you are interested in teaching primary school, contact the Liberal Studies department: www.csus.edu/libs

Advising

Who is my advisor?

• Students in the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program are advised by a group of History faculty advisors

• Contact the History department main office (278-6206) to schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor

When should I see an advisor?

• All pre-credential majors are expected to meet with a faculty advisor in the History department each semester prior to registering for classes.

• All students on academic probation (GPA below 2.0) must see a faculty advisor in the History department prior to registering for the following semester. Students who fail to see an advisor will not be able to register for classes.

• Contact the History department main office (278-6206) to schedule an appointment with a faculty advisor

Required Courses

What is HIST 198 and when should I take it?

• HIST 198 (Summative Assessment for Teachers) is the capstone seminar for students completing the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program. Successful completion of this course is required to demonstrate subject matter competency in Social Science.

• Students create the History/Social Science portfolio in HIST 198.

• This course should be taken the final semester or concurrent with completion of the final course requirements for the pre-credential program.

Can I take SSCI 193 instead of HIST 198?

• Only students with catalog rights prior to Fall 2005 will be allowed to complete SSCI 193 instead of HIST 198.

What is the History/Social Science portfolio?

• The portfolio is the means the department selected to determine whether a student has met the subject matter competency expectations set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

• The portfolio is representative of coursework completed for the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program

• Students research their experiences and coursework to create their portfolios in HIST 198

• The portfolio is assessed by a committee of faculty in History, Government, Economics, and Geography

• To prepare for the portfolio, students should retain all course materials (exams, essays, projects, syllabi and handouts) for courses taken to satisfy the requirements of the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program.

Can I take HIST 192 instead of HIST 191?

• Only students with catalog rights prior to Fall 2005 will be allowed to complete HIST 192 instead of HIST 191.

What is EDBM 170?

• Bilingual Education: Introduction to Educating English Learners

• Required for students completing the Fall 2005+ pre-credential program.

• Includes a fieldwork component tutoring an English learner

• Certificate of Clearance (COC) required - fingerprinting, background check, TB test (www.ctc.ca.gov)

GE & Graduation Requirements

Where can I get advising about General Education and other graduation requirements?

• All transfer students and first-time freshmen should attend orientation (www.csus.edu/acad/orientation)

• Current students receive GE advising from the Academic Advising Center (www.csus.edu/acad, 278-6351, 1012 Lassen Hall) on a drop-in basis

• Contact Prof. Chloe Burke (3099 Tahoe Hall, cburke@csus.edu)

What is the WPE and when should I take it?

• The WPE (Writing Proficiency Exam) is a prerequisite for enrolling in a Writing Intensive GE course (a graduation requirement)

• You have two chances to pass the WPE; you also have the option of taking ENGL 109W instead of the WPE

• It is a good idea to take the WPE as soon as you complete ENGL 20. You must pass the WPE before finishing 74 units or you will receive a registration hold

• For information about the WPE: www.csus.edu/wpe

• To register for the WPE: www.csus.edu/testing

HIST 191 and 198 require the WPE, do they fulfill the Writing Intensive requirement?

• No.

What Writing Intensive course should I take?

• Writing Intensive courses in the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program: HIST 105, 110, 122A/B, 138A/B168; HRS 140; PHIL 101; ETHN 100; GOVT 165

Graduation

When and how do I petition for graduation?

• Apply one calendar year before you intend to graduate

• Spring/summer graduation application deadline: May 1

• Fall graduation application deadline: November 1

• Application and instructions: http://webapps1.csus.edu/admr/content/evaluation/graduation_application.asp

• List only courses completed for the History major (not the social science preparation courses) on your graduation application

• You need the signature of your pre-credential faculty advisor and the department chair to file your application

Credential Program

When do I apply for a teaching credential program?

• Sac State offers two and three-semester single subject credential programs. The two-semester program begins only in the Fall; the three-semester program begins in the Fall and the Spring.

• Application deadlines

  • Fall program starts (2 and 3-semester) – 1^st Monday in October

  • Spring program starts (3 semester only) – 1^st Monday in March

• Attend a Teacher Preparation Information Session before you apply to the program (info sessions schedule: http://edweb.csus.edu/tpac/advising.html

• Teacher Preparation and Credentials website: www.csus.edu/teach

What are the prerequisites for Sac State’s teaching credential program?

• Minimum GPA of 2.67 (2.75 in last 60 units)

·        A bachelor’s degree

·        Subject matter competency (demonstrated by either completing a subject matter program such as the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program or taking the CSET exams)

·        Pre/co-requisite courses: EDBM 170, EDS 100 A/B, HLSC 136, EDTE 331

• Attend a Teacher Preparation Information Session before you apply to the program (info sessions schedule: http://edweb.csus.edu/tpac/advising.html

·        Credential program admissions guide: http://edweb.csus.edu/tpac/advising

If I complete my BA at Sac State can I choose to attend a different teaching credential program?

• Yes. Students who complete the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program acquire subject matter competency that is recognized by all credential programs.

• Other credential programs in the Sacramento region:

  • UC Davis Teaching Credential Program (with MA) http://education.ucdavis.edu/programs/Credential

  • Project Pipeline http://www.projectpipeline.org/

  • Teacher Education Institute http://www.egusd.k12.ca.us/tei/

Do I have to take the CSET exams?

• Only students who do NOT complete a subject matter program (History BA/Social Science pre-credential program or Social Science BA pre-credential program) have to take the CSET for admission to a single subject credential program.

• www.cset.nesinc.com

Do I have to take the CBEST exams?

• Yes, all students interested in entering a credential program need to pass the CBEST.

• www.cbest.nesinc.com

Waiver Letters

How do I get a subject matter waiver letter?

• If you completed the History BA/Social Science pre-credential program at Sac State, contact Dr. Chloe Burke cburke@csus.edu, Pre-credential Coordinator

• If you completed the Social Science BA pre-credential program at Sac State, contact Dr. Tim Fong tfong01@csus.edu, Director of the Social Science program

• If you completed a History BA at Sac State, contact Dr. Chloe Burke cburke@csus.edu to have your transcripts evaluated

• If you completed any non-History BA at Sac State or elsewhere, contact Dr. Tim Fong tfong01@csus.edu to have your transcripts evaluated (a fee may apply).