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Multicultural/Multilingual Teacher Preparation Center

Students pursuing their Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential through the department become members of the Multicultural/Multilingual Teacher Preparation Center (M/M Center). The M/M Center is specifically designed to prepare future teachers to work in Multicultural and Multilingual settings. Other important features of the M/M Center include:

  • In-depth preparation to work with English Learners (EL) through additional coursework and through infusion of EL content in all M/M credential courses.

  • Emphasis on teachers who are committed to increasing social justice and educational equity for low income and culturally and linguistically diverse groups

  • Only center with the Bilingual Authorization (Spanish and Hmong)

  • All field experiences in schools serving culturally, socially and economically diverse students.

  • Bilingualism in a language other than English is not required for the M/M Center

Two Authorizations Available

  1. For English speakers, the Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential with an English Learner Authorization (ELA Enhanced)

  2. For students who are bilingual in a target language, the Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential Bilingual Authorization in Spanish or Hmong.

Admission Procedures and Requirements

Students who seek to fulfill the requirements of the Multiple Subject Credential or the Single Subject Credential (with either the ELA Enhanced or Bilingual Authorization) within a standard four-year college program must plan their academic schedules very carefully. Completion of the Preliminary Teaching Credential requires that the student:

  • hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;

  • complete an approved program of teacher preparation, including student teaching;

  • pass a college-level course or examination on the U.S. Constitution;

  • pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST);

  • complete all pre-requisite coursework for specific pathways Education.

Note: Students who seek to fulfill the requirements of the Multiple Subject Credential or the Single Subject Credential (with either the ELA Enhanced or Bilingual Authorization) within a standard four-year college program must plan their academic schedules very carefully.

For the Multiple Subject Credential the student is also required to:

  • pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA) and an approved course in the teaching of reading; and

  • pass the approved subject matter examination California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET) Multiple Subject, Subtests I, II and III.

For the Single Subject Credential the student is required to:

  • complete an approved teaching major (subject matter) program or pass an approved subject-matter examination; and,

  • complete an approved course in the teaching of reading.

Students may apply for program admission as early as the first semester of their junior year. Applications are available approximately six weeks prior to the application deadline. Because of space limitations, not all qualified applicants may gain admission to a program.

In screening for admission, the Teacher Preparation and Credentials (TPAC) office houses the following procedures and selection criteria:

Application Deadline: Applicants must complete two (2) applications. The Teacher Preparation Program application is available from the TPAC Office (EUR 216 and online at www.edweb.csus.edu/tpac. The Graduate Studies Application is available online only at www.csus.edu/gradstudies/appinfo_general.htm. The TPAC office receives applications for fall semester by the first Monday in March and for spring semester by the first Monday in October of the semester preceding program matriculation. The application deadline may be extended under special circumstances. Application deadlines are also subject to change; please consult both the TPAC Office and the Office of Graduate Studies for the most current application deadline dates.

Verification of Subject Matter Competence: Multiple Subject students verify subject matter competence by completing the CSET Subtests I, II, and III.  Single Subject students verify subject matter competence either by exam (CSET subject assessment tests specific to the appropriate discipline/content area) or by completion of an approved subject matter preparation program. Subject matter competence must be demonstrated by all candidates prior to entering their final semester of the teacher preparation program.

Demonstration of California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST): Multiple Subject applicants have two options for demonstrating Basic Educational Skills. Passing the CBEST is one method for satisfying this requirement. The second option is to pass CSET Subtest IV (which is taken in conjunction with CSET Subtests I, II, III). Basic Educational Skills must be demonstrated prior to beginning the Preliminary Credential Program. Single Subject applicants have one option for demonstrating Basic Educational Skills: passing CBEST.

Applicants who demonstrate Basic Educational Skills prior to admission will have this factor considered favorably in the admission screening process. Note: For more information about the CBEST and/or CSET exams, please visit the testing agency website: www.ctcexams.nesinc.com For additional information about the exams and assistance in preparing for them, please contact the College of Education Equity Coordinator, Adriana Echandía, in Eureka Hall 212.

Grade Point Average (GPA): Applicants shall have earned a 2.67 GPA at the college level. If the candidate has attempted at least 30 semester units at Sacramento State, the GPA shall be based on the cumulative work attempted at Sacramento State. If the candidate has not taken 30 semester units at Sacramento State, the GPA shall be based on cumulative work attempted at all colleges or universities attended. The University is permitted a small percentage of exceptions to this regulation.

Writing Proficiency: Prior to admission to the Basic Credential Program, applicants must meet the writing proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

  • pass the Sacramento State Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) with a score of eight or higher;

  • pass a writing proficiency exam at another collegiate institution and provide the Teacher Preparation and Credentials office with verification of a passing score;

  • earn a grade of "B" or higher in ENGL 120A at Sacramento State or similar course from another institution as verifiable by a college transcript and a course catalog description;

  • if scoring six on the WPE, enter semester one and enroll concurrently in ENGL 109, maintaining that enrollment until the WPE is passed; or

  • pass the writing portion of the CBEST writing exam.

  • For Multiple Subject candidates ONLY, a passing score on CSET subtest IV, when taken in conjunction with CSET subtests I-III, can satisfy the writing proficiency requirement.

Note: For credential program acceptance, writing scores should be available to the TPAC office no later than mid-April for fall semester applicants or no later than mid-November for spring semester applicants. Sacramento State writing proficiency results are available within 4 weeks of test date. CBEST results are available within six weeks of test date.

Written Application: As part of the Teacher Preparation Program application, applicants submit a written application that includes a list of experiences that relate to teaching, a list of other experiences that indicate the breadth of the applicant's background, and a written statement in which the applicant indicates professional goals. These three components will be evaluated by faculty reviewing the application. (Note: the application to the Office of Graduate Studies requires a much shorter statement of purpose.)

Interview: All applicants are interviewed. This interview provides an initial screening of the candidate's spoken English and target language skills where applicable. It is also designed to assess the candidate's promise as a prospective teacher.

Recommendations: Applicants submit two completed recommendation forms, one from a person who has observed the applicant's performance in a work setting and one from an instructor who can attest to academic competence. The recommendation forms are part of the Teacher Preparation Program application packet, available from the TPAC Office in Eureka Hall 216 and on line at www.edweb.csus.edu/tpac.