Intern Credential Option and Eligibility Requirements

The Multiple Subject and Single Subject Credential programs, and the Education Specialist programs, offer an Intern Credential option specifically designed for the candidate who is teaching full time in an appropriate setting in a California public TK-12 school. Candidates planning to complete their clinical experience via an Intern Credential should communicate with a credential analyst in the Office of Credentials prior to beginning the eligibility process. To become eligible for an Intern Credential, a candidate must meet the following requirements:

1. Hold a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
2. Gain admittance to a School of Education preliminary teaching credential program and be a candidate in good standing.
3. Successfully complete (grade of B- or higher in each course) at least 6 units of coursework in the School of Education preliminary teaching credential program. Candidates who already hold a California Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Teaching Credential may check with the Office of Credentials for possible exemption from this requirement.
4. Verify successful completion of the California Basic Skills Requirement via one of the options approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
5. Verify successful completion of U.S. Constitution requirement (course or exam).
6. Verify successful completion of the California Subject Matter Requirement via one of the options approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
7. Verify successful completion of the School of Education’s approved intern pre-service. Multiple Subject Preservice: TESP 501 Art of Teaching I: Foundations of Teaching, TESP 502 Science of Teaching I: How Students Learn, TEP 511 Art of Teaching II: Pedagogy and Instructional Design, and TESP 508 Literacy and the Humanities, TK-8. Single Subject Preservice: TESP 501 Art of Teaching I: Foundations of Teaching, TESP 502 Science of Teaching I: How Students Learn, TEP 511 Art of Teaching II: Pedagogy and Instructional Design, and TEP 537 Teaching for Equity: Differentiation and Literacy in the Secondary Classroom. Education Specialist Preservice: TESP 501 Art of Teaching I: Foundations of Teaching, TESP 502 Science of Teaching I: How Students Learn, SPED 517 Art of Teaching II: Pedagogy and Instructional Design for Education Specialists, and TESP 508 Literacy and the Humanities, TK-8 Verify successful completion of 30 hours of early fieldwork experience via one of the following options:
   • APU fieldwork that is embedded in courses. Courses must be completed within five years prior to recommendation for the Intern Credential.
   • Current California Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Teaching Credential.
   • Life Ryan Credentials, out-of-state credentials, and previous teaching experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
8. Demonstrate competence in reading instruction via completion of the School of Education Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing course relevant to the candidate’s preliminary credential program. 
9. Gain employment under a full-time public school contract at a school site located within 50 road-miles of Azusa or an APU regional campus offering School of Education preliminary teacher credential programs.
10. Verify employment as evidenced by a letter from school or district administration on school or district letterhead fully describing the teaching assignment.
11. Submit the credential application and Intern Credential Application Request through the Office of Credentials.

Completion of the above requirements does not guarantee recommendation for an Intern Credential; such recommendation is contingent upon the availability of university coaches/mentors. The School of Education must also have a valid Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in place with the employing Local Education Agency (LEA) extending the offer of employment. Additionally, the intern coordinator and program director for the relevant preliminary teacher credential program will review the candidate’s file to determine if the candidate demonstrates appropriate academic progress and dispositions for recommendation for an Intern Credential.

Note: The School of Education at Azusa Pacific University is not approved to offer the Bilingual Crosscultural Language and Academic Development Certificate (BCLAD). At this time, the intern programs are not designed to support individuals employed in bilingual classrooms. We are unable to recommend a candidate for an Intern credential if their intern placement is in a bilingual classroom.

Once a candidate has been recommended for an Intern Credential, he/she must comply with the following requirements to maintain eligibility for the Intern Credential:

• Be continuously employed in a teaching assignment that requires the Intern Credential
• Be an APU School of Education candidate in good standing
• Be making satisfactory progress toward program completion for the duration of the Intern Credential
• Follow his/her signed advising plan
• Enroll in a candidate support and supervision course (TESP 590) or clinical practice course each fall and spring 8-week session he/she holds an Intern Credential

Note: Once a candidate has progressed to the start of the second 8 weeks of clinical practice, the candidate has passed the point where he/she can be recommended for an Intern Credential. Upon completion of 16 weeks of clinical practice, a candidate with an Intern Credential has two 8-week sessions in which to complete the preliminary credential requirements and application and move to the preliminary credential. This includes passing the CalTPA (for all candidates) and passing the RICA or other state required literacy assessment (for those candidates working toward a preliminary Multiple Subject or Education Specialist credential). Failure to either maintain eligibility for the Intern Credential or to complete the preliminary credential requirements and application within the one semester immediately following completion of clinical practice will result in withdrawal of the Intern Credential, which could impact the candidate’s employment. If an Intern Credential is withdrawn as a result of a lapse in professional responsibility, integrity, or ethical conduct, the intern may be dismissed from the program, and the intern must meet with the department chair to discuss remediation and next steps.