District Intern Credential for Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist Instruction Teaching

The District Intern program provides an alternative route to earning a teaching credential. Interested individuals should contact a sponsor with a Commission-approved district intern program for specific requirements.

Requirements for Issuance

Individuals must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  1. For all authorizations:
    1. Possess a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. 
    2. Complete a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university.
    3. The governing board of the employing agency must verify (on form CL-707A, entitled Governing Board Statement for District Intern Credentials) that the district intern will be assisted and guided throughout the training period by a certificated employee who has been designated per California Education Code Section 44830.3(a)
    4. Completed application (form 41-4), and, if not previously submitted to the Commission, a completed Live Scan receipt (form 41-LS).

     

  2. For the grade 6–12 specified subject authorization, individuals must also satisfy the following requirements:
    1. Verify knowledge of the subject to be taught (see Terms and Definitions for a list of available subjects) by one of the following methods:
      1. Complete a Commission-approved subject-matter preparation program.
      2. Pass the appropriate subject examination(s) as explained in Commission leaflet CL-674S, entitled Verifying Subject Matter Competence by Examination for Single Subject Teaching Credentials.
      3. For specialized science subjects only, individuals may either take and pass the appropriate subject matter examination(s) or obtain verification of completion of subject matter course work from the Commission as explained in Coded Correspondence 03-0010 [1].
      4. Successful completion of applicable coursework verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework must be completed at a regionally-accredited institution and addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single Subject Credential.
      5. Complete a degree major from a regionally-accredited college or university in one of the statutory subjects available for the Single Subject Teaching Credential as listed below. Degree major must be in the subject area being sought.
      6. Successful completion through a combination of items 1-4 as described above verifying that the applicant has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Single Subject Credential.
      Note [1]: The last administration of the examinations in the Specialized Sciences was July 11, 2015. Applicants will have five years during which to use passing examination scores toward obtaining California certification. The last date to verify subject-matter equivalency by coursework for any of the Specialized Sciences was July 11, 2015. See Coded Correspondence 14-09.

     

  3. For the grade K–8 self-contained classroom and core setting authorization individuals must satisfy the following requirements:
    1. Verify knowledge of the subject to be taught by one of the following methods:
      1. Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject matter examination(s). See Commission leaflet CL-674M, entitled Verifying Subject Matter Competence by Examination for Multiple Subject Teaching Credentials, for additional information.
      2. Complete a Commission-approved elementary subject-matter program or its equivalent and obtain verification of completion from the authorized person in the education department of a California college or university with an approved program.
      3. Successful completion of applicable coursework verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. Coursework must be completed at a regionally-accredited institution and addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
      4. Complete a degree major in liberal studies or interdisciplinary studies from a regionally-accredited college or university.
      5. Successful completion through a combination of items 1-3 as described above verifying that the applicant has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content area of the Multiple Subject Credential.

       

  4. For the Bilingual Authorization, individuals must verify passage of the listening, speaking, reading and writing on the appropriate California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): World Languages (Languages Other Than English) examination in the target language or a local level assessment that verifies a language proficiency level that is equivalent to the passing standard of the CSET: World Languages prior to entering the Intern Program. For additional information, contact Evaluation Systems, Group of Pearson at (916) 928-4002, or visit their website.

  5. For Education Specialist authorizations, individuals must satisfy all of the requirements as described in 1, and 2 or 3 above.

Authorization

The District Intern Credential with grades K-8 authorizes the holder to teach in a self-contained classroom such as the classrooms found in most elementary schools. In addition, the holder may serve in a core or team teaching setting. This credential also authorizes the holder to teach English language development and specially designed academic instruction in English to English learners limited to the grade levels of the credential. When issued with a bilingual authorization, it allows the holder to teach English language development, specially designed academic instruction in English, primary language development and subject matter instruction delivered in the primary language to English learners  limited to the grade levels of the credential.

The District Intern Credential with grades 6-12 authorizes the holder to teach the specific subject(s) named on the document in departmentalized classes such as those found in most middle and high schools. This credential also authorizes the holder to teach English language development and specially designed academic instruction in English to English learners limited to the grade levels of the credential. When issued with a bilingual authorization, it allows the holder to teach English language development, specially designed academic instruction in English, primary language development, and subject matter instruction delivered in the primary language to English learners limited to the grade level of the credential.

The District Intern Credential with the Education Specialist Authorization authorizes the holder to teach individuals in any of the specialty areas authorized under current regulations in grades K-12 and in classes organized primarily for adults. This credential also authorizes the holder to teach English language development and specially designed academic instruction in English to English learners with special needs across the full continuum of placement options indicated in the students’ IEPs and in alignment with the disability categories authorized by the teacher’s credential and authorizations.

The District Intern Credential with the Education Specialist Authorization is available in any education specialist specialty area. Presently, there are programs available in only the areas of Mild to Moderate Support Needs(MMSN), Extensive Support Needs (ESN), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).

Period of Validity

The Multiple Subject and Single Subject District Intern Credentials are valid for two calendar years. The Education Specialist District Intern Credential is valid for three years. The governing board may request a one calendar-year extension of the credential if the district intern needs additional time to successfully complete the Professional Development Plan and experience requirements.

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The Professional Development Plan

The district that employs a district intern must have developed and implemented a Professional Development Plan in consultation with a Commission-approved program of teacher preparation. The district intern must be assisted and guided throughout the training program by either a person designated as a mentor teacher, a teacher selected through a competitive process, or a person employed by the program to supervise student teachers. A current Professional Development Plan must be on file at the Commission office before the District Intern Credential will be issued. The Professional Development Plan must include the following:

  1. Prior to beginning daily teaching responsibilities, individuals must complete one of the following:
    1. 120 clock-hours of training in child development and the methods of teaching the subjects and grade levels to which the district intern is assigned.
    2. Six semester units of course work in the same areas.

  2. Additional instruction in child development and teaching methods during the first semester of employment for interns who are employed in kindergarten or grades 1–6.
  3. Instruction in the culture and methods of teaching English learners during the first year of employment for interns who are employed in bilingual classrooms.
  4. Courses or training as determined by the governing board of the school district.
  5. A successful annual evaluation of the district intern’s performance.

Completion of the District Intern Program

Each candidate for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with a Bilingual Authorization, or the Education Specialist Instruction Credential must pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).

When the district intern has successfully completed the Professional Development Plan, Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA), RICA (if needed), and the experience requirement, the governing board of the employer will recommend the district intern for a 5-year preliminary credential. Available credential options, based on the candidate's program, are as follows:

  • Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization.
  • Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization.
  • Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization.
  • Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential with Bilingual Authorization.
  • Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Teaching Credential with English Learner Authorization.

Upon successful completion of the district intern program and recommendation for an appropriate preliminary credential, candidates must complete a 2-year teacher induction program to be eligible for the clear credential. Please review this information on clearing your credential.

Terms And Definitions
Statutory Single Subjects

The statutory single subjects available for the single subject credential are listed below:

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Agriculture
Art
Biological Sciences (Specialized)[2]
Business
Chemistry (Specialized)[2]
Dance
English
Foundational-Level General Science
Foundational-Level Mathematics
Geosciences (Specialized)[2]
Health Science
Home Economics
Industrial and Technology Education
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics (Specialized)[2]
Science: Biological Sciences
Science: Chemistry
Science: Geosciences
Science: Physics
Social Science
Theater
World Language: English Language Development
World Languages-Languages other than English (specify language)

Note [2]: The last administration of the examinations in the Specialized Sciences was July 11, 2015. Applicants will have five years during which to use passing examination scores toward obtaining California certification. The last date to verify subject-matter equivalency by coursework for any of the Specialized Sciences was July 11, 2015. See Coded Correspondence 14-09.

Teaching Performance Assessment

A performance-based assessment based on the Teaching Performance Expectations that all single subject teacher candidates are required to pass in order to qualify for preliminary teaching credential if enrolled in a Commission-approved teacher preparation program on or after July 1, 2008.

Program Information

Districts needing additional information regarding developing a district intern program should contact the Commission’s Professional Services Division at (916) 445-0184.

For more information, go to the Commission-Approved District Intern Programs page.

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Reference:

California Education Code Sections 44259, 44325, 44328, and 44830.3


CL-707B  July 2022

 

Updated July 01, 2024