As a new educator holding a Preliminary California Teaching Credential or a PS-VTW (Variable Term Waiver), you can now clear your credentials through a fully online, one-on-one mentoring model program. Receive the support you need to develop critical skills — which helps increase retention of educators — under the guidance of an experienced mentor.
Individual Learning Plans (ILP) focus on self-identified goals and self-reflection, and are evidenced through video recordings, and online learning forums. Candidates may teach in public, private, charter, or international schools with diverse populations. ILPs also include any additional requirements individuals need to clear their credentials.
This two-year program is designed around the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and the immediate classroom needs of teachers. It is also fully aligned with the new standards for teacher induction programs that were released by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in 2016.
We Are Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2020! Application Deadline: August 17, 2020.
SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program is designed to help new California teachers clear their Multiple and Single Subject Preliminary Credentials in just one year through online lessons, instructional feedback, and a unique one-on-one mentorship model.
About the program
“SDSU paired me with an experienced teacher from the same discipline, which I found incredibly helpful because no matter what topics we discussed in our weekly conversations – from instruction and classroom management to teaching standards and curriculum – my mentor was well-equipped to answer all of my questions."
- Emily Deveraux, Academy of Our Lady of Peace, San Diego
As a new educator holding a Preliminary California Teaching Credential or a PS-VTW (Variable Term Waiver), you can now clear your Multiple and Single Subject Preliminary Credentials with SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program — a fully online, one-on-one mentoring model program. Receive the support you need to develop critical skills — which helps increase retention of educators — under the guidance of an experienced mentor.
Opportunity for Higher Salaries
In addition, you will be able to earn up to 24 semester units throughout the duration of the program, which many employers and school districts factor into decisions regarding your salary scale — typically, teachers with more credits are prepared to earn salaries that reflect their academic accomplishments.
Estimated Cost
Completion Time
Course FormatBecome a better educator while you earn valuable credits and clear all your preliminary teaching credentials in one program. Get the support you need in the classroom through SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program.
What Do Our Students Have to Say?
“I chose the Teacher Induction Program to clear my CA credential,” said Sahar. “But I can honestly say that by choosing SDSU, this served more than just a requirement, but rather, it’s been a time of professional growth as an educator. I have gained confidence in my teaching abilities that was clearly mirrored in my classroom, my students, and my personal reflections.”
- Sahar Muhareb, Orange Crescent School, Garden Grove
“Having the program online and video chat meetings with my mentor made this program ideal for a well-balanced work/school/family life. I recommend this program to everyone that tells me they need to clear their credential.”
- Janice Maschue, San Marcos Unified School District
The core of the curriculum is based on your Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Your ILP is supported through video recordings, guided lessons, and online learning forums that will help you achieve your self-identified goals as a new educator. The curriculum will include any additional requirements you need to clear your credentials.
Program Is Perfect For...
Credential Process for New California Teachers
- Hold a bachelor's degree
- Earn a Preliminary Credential or PS-VTW through requirements set forth by the California Commision on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), as well as coursework and student teaching experience
- Begin your teaching career with a teaching contract
- Use SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program to earn your Multiple Subject Credential or Preliminary Single Subject Credential
- Renew your credential by paying the CTC required fees every 5 years. At this time, CTC does not require any additional professional growth requirements cleared credential holders
SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program is designed for new teachers holding a Preliminary California Teaching Credential or PS-VTW and currently teaching in public, private, charter, or international schools throughout the State of California.
If you’re a new educator holding a Preliminary Credential, and you need to clear your Multiple and Single Subject Preliminary Credentials, this program can help you obtain the credentials you need.
You will also have the opportunity to earn up to 24 total semester units, which many school districts factor into your salary scale.
Early Completion
While most students complete the program in two years, certain candidates are eligible for Early Completion. If you’ve successfully completed a year of induction through a different program, or you have more than three years of teaching experience under an issued credential, you will be able to complete SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program in just one year. Early Completion is not guaranteed and requires a review from the Induction Admissions and Retention Committee.
What You Can Learn
This program is designed around the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and the immediate classroom needs of teachers. It is also fully aligned with the new standards for teacher induction programs that were released by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) in 2016.
While you work towards clearing your credentials, you will also have the unique opportunity to become a stronger teacher through our one-on-one mentoring program. You will be matched with an experienced educator who teaches your subject or grade level. Your mentor will provide you with:
- Feedback on video recordings of your actual lessons
- Assistance with analyzing your assessment data to drive instruction
- Advice on what it takes to become a well-rounded educator and a leader in your school community
You will also have the opportunity to customize your curriculum by developing your own Independent Learning Plan (ILP) with the help of your mentor. Your ILP is based on your unique needs as a new educator. Through virtual lessons based on your career goals and self-identified areas of need, you will acquire knowledge that’s relevant to your teaching practices, and you will be able to apply that knowledge in the classroom the very next day.
Outcomes
Labor Analysis
California K-12 Teachers with Bachelor’s Degree
Job Postings
Last 12 months
38,387
Projected Growth
Over 10 years
6.94%
Salary Range
3+ Years Experience
$51,000-$64,000
Source: BLS & Burning Glass Technologies, 2020
The outlook for fully-credentialed California educators is bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were just under 40,000 job openings for fully-credentialed teachers in California over the past year, and employment numbers are projected to grow by 7% over the next ten years.
Why Should You Choose Us?
Personalization
SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program is designed around your unique needs as an educator. Through ILPs and job-based learning opportunities, you will be able to customize your curriculum to get feedback on your lessons, support with your courses, and advice on your teaching career.
Individual Support
SDSU’s Teacher Induction Program features a unique one-on-one mentorship matching program. You will be able to cultivate a professional relationship with an experienced educator who can help guide you through the program towards better teaching practices.
Real-World Benefits
The primary goal of the Teacher Induction Program is to help you clear your Multiple and Single Subject Preliminary Credentials, an essential step for anyone interested in teaching in California. You will also have the opportunity to earn up to 24 semester units, which many school districts factor into decisions about your salary.
Meet Our Teacher Induction Staff
Christie Pearson-Wohlwend
Credential Analyst and Program Admission
Christie Pearson-Wohlwend has been a credential analyst for over 25 years. As a certification officer, she works between the CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing and SDSU to provide support and advising services for all credential candidates, while also recommending candidates for their licensure.
Christie Pearson-Wohlwend earned her undergraduate degree in Speech Communication at California State University Long Beach. She moved to San Diego to attend graduate school at San Diego State University, where she focused on interpersonal communication while conducting her thesis work in social support. Outside of the office, she enjoys camping and hiking with her family on the weekends.
Dr. Laura Craig
Induction Director
Dr. Laura Craig is an alumna of San Diego State University and comes from a family of Aztecs. She has a BA in Liberal Studies, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and CLAD credential. She also earned a M.Ed. and a Reading Specialist Credential through SDSU.
Dr. Craig was awarded an Ed.D. with a specialization in Professional Leadership, Inquiry, and Innovation from Concordia University Portland. Her dissertation was on the Attitudes and Beliefs of New Teachers Towards Induction Requirements.
Her elementary classroom experience includes teaching in the La Mesa-Spring Valley and Murrieta Public Schools, serving as Reading Specialist for one of Julian Charter Schools, three years of teaching at the Franconian International School in Germany, and for the past nine years, serving as a first grade teacher and a Reading Specialist at a private school in Temecula.
Dr. Craig enjoys helping new teachers with induction through SDSU Global Campus and works in a variety of capacities for the SDSU School of Teacher Education.
Contact Information
I loved this program because, yes, it did free me up from having to attend inperson classes but also because I got the benefit of earning upperdivision credits which gave me a salary increase at the same time as earning my clear credential. That was a huge deal for me! It's FAR better than BTSA. If a candidate has an option of selecting another program besides their district's BTSA program, this is 100 percent the way to go. You earn more credits, and it's extremely engaging. Working online gave me time to read the materials and work independently on the weekends which is also super significant when you consider that a lot of us as first, second or third year teachers are working well past dismissal to get our jobs done. And I also worked on my assignments during my break and lunch – which allowed me to implement my learning right then and there in the classroom! The most impactful thing that affected my teaching was looking at assessment in a new way. I also understood special education more fully than I ever did from my credential courses. I passed my clear credential with distinction, which made me super proud– also, passing with distinction is a testament to the high quality teaching of the induction program at SDSU.
Clearing my credential through SDSU's Teacher Induction program was an amazing experience. Professors were easily accessible and the assignments required of the program were all things that benefited myself as an educator and my students. I was taught how to reflect on my teaching and how to think critically about lesson planning, which was beneficial for my students.
I graduated from the program last year and am so grateful you were willing to work with my unique teaching position with a small population. I recommend SDSU's Teacher Induction program to anyone who will listen! The program taught me a lot and helped me become a confident teacher. Two years ago, I started teaching with FIELD and began teaching adult high school using my multi-subject credential. I am now the regional manager of the northern schools for FIELD.
The most valuable feature of the San Diego State University (SDSU) Teacher Induction Program was the support I received from my mentor teacher. SDSU paired me with an experienced teacher from the same discipline, which I found incredibly helpful because no matter what topics we discussed in our weekly conversations – from instruction and classroom management to teaching standards and curriculum – my mentor was well-equipped to answer all of my questions. In addition to having the knowledge and experience required to mentor, she was invested in my success, shared countless valuable resources to help me improve as an educator, and offered sage advice drawn from years of practice. The Program also provided me with the tools to teach remotely. Since the courses and mentor meetings are conducted online, I became conversant in numerous applications and platforms which I took back to my classroom and have become useful teaching tools.