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FAQ - Internships
I would like to participate in a district or university internship, how can I find out about them?
Visit the Internships section of this website for specific information on California's internship programs.
When will I be able to take the TFE, and when will it be offered?
The Teaching Foundations Examination (TFE) is administered annually four times and will be offered throughout California at numerous ETS test sites. You must contact ETS to register for the exam or if you have any other test related questions.
What materials are available to study for the Teaching Foundations Exam?
Currently, there are no specific published study materials available. You may view the Test at a Glance by going to the ETS website.
Another possibility would be to determine what pedagogical texts are used by the teacher preparation program that interests you. These books should be available at the university program's bookstore or library.
Can you explain the Early Completion Internship option?
To be eligible to participate in the early completion option, an individual must be accepted into a Commission-approved internship program and have an offer of employment from a school district. Education Code Section 44468 allows individuals to bypass teacher preparation coursework by passing the Teaching Foundations Exam and the fieldwork requirements by passing the Teaching Performance Assessment or equivalent offered by their internship program. (For the Early Completion Internship option, the Teaching Performance or equivalent must be passed the first time it is taken.) In addition to the TFE, individuals must meet the following credential requirements.
- Bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university
- Satisfy the basic skills requirement
- Subject Matter Competence (via exam-currently CSET-or approved program)
- Knowledge of the U.S. Constitution (via exam or coursework)
- Professional Fitness Requirement (fingerprinting)
Individuals may take the Teaching Foundations Exam before completing the above requirements but must complete the requirements and have an offer of employment before entering the Early Completion Internship Option. The Early Completion Option is designed for those who have knowledge and experience teaching school-age students. The TFE allows an individual to demonstrate knowledge of the teaching methods taught in a teacher preparation program. The Teaching Performance Assessment or equivalent allows an individual to demonstrate the teaching skills required of all certificated teachers. Together these assessments allow the individual to become credentialed at a faster pace.
For more information, please see Commission leaflet CL-840, entitled Early Completion Internship Option for Multiple and Single Subject Teaching Credentials.