Adding an Intern Pathway

For Commission-approved institutions already approved to offer a preliminary credential program:

Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject, Education Specialist, or PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Programs

In order for an institution with an approved Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject, Education Specialist, or PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential program to add the intern pathway to their existing program, institutions must complete the following steps:

Step 1: Send an email to intern@ctc.ca.gov with the subject line “New Intern Pathway” to let the Commission know that your institution would like to be approved to offer an intern pathway for the current traditional preliminary credential program.

Step 2:  Post responses to the following prompts on the institution’s Accreditation website and submit the URL link to intern@ctc.ca.gov:

  • Response to the intern preconditions for the appropriate credential program being proposed. The full text of the preconditions can be found on the Preconditions webpage.
  • A short description of the pathway including all coursework and fieldwork required. Please provide a short explanation about how the proposed intern program will differ from the institution’s Commission-approved traditional pathway. Please outline where courses will be the same for interns as for the candidates in the traditional Commission-approved pathway and, if there are any different courses, or sequence of courses, please describe which courses.
  • Information about when the institution would like to begin enrolling interns.

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Programs

In order for an institution with an approved Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC) to add the intern pathway to their existing program, institution must complete these steps:

Step 1:  Send an email to pasc-casc@ctc.ca.gov with the subject line “New Intern Pathway”  to let the Commission know that your institution would like to be approved to offer an intern pathway for your current traditional PASC program offering.

Step 2:  Post your responses to the following prompts on your Accreditation website and submit the URL to the pasc-casc@ctc.ca.gov inbox:

  • Respond to Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Preconditions internship requirements and describe the process the program will use to ensure that individuals meet all of the necessary requirements outlined in those preconditions. The full text of the preconditions can be found on the Preconditions webpage.
  • Identify any program design and implementation differences that will exist between the intern pathway and the traditional pathway toward reaching the PASC. For example, will there be differences in coursework? Or how will your program provide support to candidates that are in the intern pathway as these candidates currently have administrative job responsibilities? Identify any specific coursework and/or additional training that intern candidates will be required to complete, if any, prior to beginning their internship position.
  • Identify your program’s collaboration efforts with other institutions and professional organizations in supporting the intern pathway to the PASC, if it will be different from the current traditional route. Provide narrative and evidence that addresses how the program will provide qualified coaches to support the candidates in the intern pathway. The response should include plans for collaboration and identify specific names of institutions and professional organizations with whom you plan to collaborate.  Please consider PASC Program Standard 2: Collaboration, Communication, and Coordination and Common Standard 3 in your response. 
  • Information about when the institution would like to begin enrolling interns.

Submitting the Required Information

This information should be submitted to with a subject line of “New Intern Pathway”

  • For Preliminary Multiple/Single Subject, Education Specialist, and PK-3 ECE Specialist Programs, email: intern@ctc.ca.gov

All institutions should copy the Initial Program Review (IPR) Team the submission at IPR@ctc.ca.gov.

Cost Recovery Fees

Once the request for an intern pathway is received, an invoice for Cost Recovery Fees will be sent to the fiscal contact at the institution. Directions for submitting payment will be included with the invoice. Payment must be received prior to recommendation for the pathway approval.

Review process

Staff reviews the information submitted for the proposed intern pathway. Depending on the specifics of the proposal, additional information may be needed. Programs would be notified of the need for any additional information after the first three requirements have been submitted.

Once staff has deemed that the proposed program meets all Commission requirements, it will be added to the next regularly scheduled Committee on Accreditation meeting agenda for the Committee’s review and approval. A paragraph summarizing the program will be included on the agenda.

An institutional representative will need to be available during the COA meeting to answer any questions during the approval for adding an intern pathway.

Updated December 11, 2025