How can the Bay Area Teachers Center offer credential coursework if it is not a university or college?
The BATC is in a partnership with San Francisco State University. The units required for the credential are awarded through San Francisco State University, but all of the classes (except Curriculum and Instruction classes) are offered at our Lick-Wilmerding campus in San Francisco.

Why should I choose the Bay Area Teachers Center?
There are many features that make the BATC an attractive option. Classes are scheduled conveniently for working teachers and take a personalized, hands-on approach to teacher education. The cohort groups interact regularly with guest speakers who are experts in the field of secondary education. Records for credential candidates are kept at the BATC and transferred to San Francisco State University's office of teacher preparation prior to the candidate's final appointment with a credential analyst.

How is the student teaching requirement met?
Most students are teaching while enrolled in the BATC credential program, and the teaching position itself is the "student teaching" assignment. Enrollment in the BATC as a student teacher includes the support of a SFSU supervisor as well as help completing the PACT.

Can I still become a teacher if I don't have a subject area specialty? I know that the credential requires that I have a specialty that is a course taught in secondary school.
The State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that candidates for the Single Subject Credential have an undergraduate unit emphasis in the subject taught. It is important to have transcripts reviewed to ascertain what would be needed to complete this requirement.

How can I satisfy the Subject Matter Competency Requirement?
Subject Matter Competency can be established in the following subjects which are taught at the secondary school level: Art, English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science and Social Science.

A candidate can satisfy the Subject Matter Competency Requirement in two ways:

Coursework: To have coursework assessed, a candidate must contact the Credential Advisor at San Francisco State University in the candidate's content area. The advisor will evaluate transcripts and decide whether the candidate has met the Subject Matter Competency Requirement.

Examination: Candidates may meet the Subject Matter Competency Requirement by passing the CSET exam. These exams are given regularly in the subject areas taught in the secondary curriculum. The candidate must be warned, however, that these tests are extremely challenging.

How do I get started on the application process?
Read the How To Apply section here.

Is part time enrollment possible?
Part time enrollment is possible. Completing the program at a part time pace will generally take 3-4 semesters.

What is the intern program? How do I apply for an internship credential?
Multiple & Single Subject Intern Programs

The Multiple and Single Subject Intern Programs are part time, alternative teacher certification programs for classroom teachers who are earning a teaching credential at the same time as they are employed by a public school.

To be classified as an "intern" by BATC/San Francisco State University, you must meet the following requirements:

• You mut be currently employed as "the teacher of record," working within your own classroom in a school district that SF State has an internship partnership with. Substitutes and paraprofessionals are not eligible.
• Please note: San Francisco State University does not accept applications from teachers working at private schools or private charter schools.
• SFSU currently partners with the following districts: San Francisco Unified School District, Oakland Unified School District, San Mateo County school districts and some Marin school districts.
• San Francisco State University cannot work with teachers who are employed by schools that are further than 20 miles away from San Francisco State's main campus on 1600 Holloway Avenue.

If you are a Single Subject applicant...

• You must be teaching at least two courses in your area of subject matter competancy. You cannot teach any course outside your proven subject matter area.

If you are a Multiple Subject applicant...

• You must be teaching in a self-contained classroom.

What are the steps to getting an intern credential?

Securing an intern credential is a simple process of applying to the California Teaching Commission for your intern credential.

San Francisco State credential analysts actually submit your application; you must collect the below documentation and bring it to the Teachers Preparation Center at San Francisco State.

The Internship Credential Application consists of:

• The Application for Award of Credential
  • To download form, go to
  • http://www.sfsu.edu/~cstpc/downloads/App_Award_Credential.pdf
• A processing fee of $25 made payable to San Francisco State University.
  • To dowload receipt form, go to
  • http://www.sfsu.edu/~cstpc/downloads/Fee_Receipt_Form.pdf
• Proof of completion of the US Constitution requirement
  • For details, go to http://www.sfsu.edu/~cstpc/usconstitution.htm
• Proof of having met the 120-hour pre-service requirement.
  • Please note: This document is provided by Dale Allender and simply shows that you have taken at least three 3-unit courses prior to applying for the Intern Credential.
• Proof of enrollment
  • You can use:
  • a copy of your class schedule,
  • a letter from Dale Allendar stating that you are currently enrolled,
  • a bursar's receipt or
  • printout from MySFSU of your tuition fee payment

Submit the internship application documents to Elizabeth Creely, Intern Assistant at

Burk Hall Room 244

San Francisco State University

1600 Holloway Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94133

SFSU will submit your application to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). As soon as SFSU submits your application, the CTC will contact you using the email address used on your application, aksing you to complete a legal history affidavit and pay a Credential Fee with a credit card.

The amount of the fee depends on whether you have already paid for a Certificate of Clearance or not. The fee will be either $29.50 or $57. (This includes a $2 service fee.)

• Please note: Your application is not complete until you have paid this fee.

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing will generate an automatic receipt via email that you can give to the Human Resources Department in your school district to prove that you are in the process of securing your intternship credential.

Approximately two weeks after you pay your fee, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing will notify you that you have been awarded an intern credential. They will provide a link that will allow you to access and print your credential.

Who can I speak to at San Francisco State University about my status as an intern?

If you have any questions about the intern program, the steps needed to apply for an intern credential or issues you feel need more discussion, feel free to contact the intern assistant Elizabeth Creely at ecreely@sfsu.edu. She'll be happy to help you.