CSUF Teacher Induction Program FAQ

For answers to frequently asked questions about the Teacher Induction program, please expand the links below. For your convenience, the answers are grouped by category. If your question isn’t addressed below, please see our Contact Us page and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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CSUF Teacher Induction Program

What is the CSUF Teacher Induction Program?

Our Teacher Induction Program is designed to meet updated California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements for earning a Clear Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Educational Specialist Credential. Learn more about state requirements at the CTC Website.

Can I clear my Education Specialist/Special Education preliminary credential with this program?

Yes, qualified teachers who hold an Education Specialist Credential will be able to clear their credential with our Teacher Induction Program.

I have two preliminary credentials. Can I clear them both with the CSUF Induction Program?

The program covers multiple credentials; however, CSUF can only clear the credential for which you are completing the program. For example, if you are registered for the EDEL induction program courses, we would recommend you for the clear multiple subject credential. If you are completing the SPED induction program courses, then we would recommend you for the SPED clear credential. Once the recommended clear credential document is processed and posted with CTC, you would then be allowed to apply directly to CTC for the clear credential for the other area. Please note that you are responsible for completing all renewal requirements listed on your preliminary credential documents (if you have something in addition to the induction program renewal code).

How long is the CSUF Teacher Induction Program?

The Traditional induction program is four semesters long and is designed to be completed over a two-year period. Qualified teachers who meet certain requirements may be able to apply for the Early Completion Option to complete the program in three semesters (one year).

When does this program start?

This program begins every fall semester in September. The application period runs from March to June for Early Completion (1-year) applicants and March to August for Traditional (2-year) induction program applicants. We do not offer a spring start of this program and do not admit new students in the spring semesters.

What are the key features of the CSUF Teacher Induction Program?

Watch this video introduction to the CSUF Teacher Induction Program

Key Features of the program include:

Fully online 12-week courses (using Canvas LMS)
Alignment to the newly revised (April 2024) California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs)
Engaged instructors who are former classroom teachers and experienced online educators
Engaged program coordinator who works with mentors and induction candidates to ensure collaboration and ongoing support
Current and research-based support for new teachers to gain proficiency in the CSTPs through exploration of Artificial Intelligence, Technology Integration, Differentiated Instruction, Parent Communication, Assessment Strategies, Equitable and Inclusive Practices, and Informal Professional Development
Cohort model so you get to know your Induction Program peers for an added layer of support

Is the CSUF Teacher Induction Program fully online or are there face-to-face meetings?

The program is fully online and no face-to-face meetings are required. However, the program coordinator and course instructors are available for online or face-to-face office hours and advisement.

What courses are required in the CSUF Teacher Induction Program?

1-Year Early Completion Option	Verified 2+ years teaching 3 semesters 502A in Summer
All candidates	Fall 502G Spring 502H
2-Year Traditional Option	Newly credentialed 4 semesterst / 2 years 502E in Fall (Sem 1) 502F in spring (Sem 2)

502A (1-Year Early Completion Option)	• CSTPS Self Assessment and Proficiency • All CSTPs • Self Assessment
502E	• CSTPS Self Assessment and Proficiency • Lesson plan and observation • AI for teaching and learning • Introduction to teacher inquiry
502F	• CSTPs in Action • Action Research
502G	• CSTP Self Assessment and Proficiency • Lesson plan and observation • Action Research
502H	• CSTP Self Assessment and Proficiency • Action Research and Reflection

How much work is expected of new teacher candidates during the courses?

As a candidate in the program, you should expect to spend about 5 hours a week on your professional growth. This will include your mentor meetings (1-1.5 hours), engaging in coursework (1-2 hours), and trying new things in your classroom or completing course assignments (1 hour). Each of the 6 2-week modules requires you to engage with content and each other through a discussion or activity. Each Module gives you clear time estimates and deadlines to support your learning and professional growth.

How different is an online course from a face-to-face course?

Online teaching and learning often incite panic in students. Emergency Remote Teaching and past experiences may have left a bitter taste in your mouth. Don’t worry - our courses are not like that!

The online courses in the Teacher Induction have been developed with busy teachers in mind. Dr. Donovan, the program coordinator, is an expert in online teaching and learning and designed each course to be structured with tasks (and time expectations), chunked assignments, active involvement of the instructor and clearly articulated deadlines. You will feel like a part of a learning community, not an independent study.

What content and assignments will courses include?

The focus of the CSUF Teacher Induction Program is the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.

Each course includes a curation of resources to support your growth in each of the CSTP elements. Course assignments include class discussions, self reflections, lesson plan analyses, an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP), lesson observation and feedback, and an opportunity to document your growth and proficiency at the CSTPs. You will also have meetings with your mentor with a specific focus each week to support your professional growth.

What happens if I do not pass one of the courses in the program?

You must pass each course with a grade of B- (80%) or better to remain in the program. You must complete every assignment to pass the course, even if your grade is 80%. If you do not pass any course in the program, you will need to wait a full year before you can retake it. If you are in the ECO program and do not pass 502A in the summer, you may move to the traditional program and start with 502E in the Fall.

CSUF Teacher Induction Program: Admission

What are the eligibility requirements for the 2-year traditional program?

Applicants for the 2-year traditional completion option program must:

Be any PreK-12 educator with a preliminary California credential who will remain employed as the teacher of record for the duration of the program.
Must be teaching in the area listed on their preliminary credential. For multiple subjects, teachers must teach at least 2 subjects.
Must be the teacher of record responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating learning experiences, in addition to assigning grades and parent communication for at least 10 students (single or multiple subject credential holders) or 3 students (education specialist credential holders).
Must have at least a 25% contract (1.5 days a week) to teach in the area listed on their preliminary credential for the duration of the program.
Must have access to diverse learners including language learners and students with special needs.

Please note: Your school administrator is required to validate the eligibility information above via our Administrator Agreement form.

What are the eligibility requirements for the 1-year Early Completion program?

In addition to the requirements for the two-year traditional program, applicants to the 1-year Early Completion Option program must:

Have at least two years of teaching experience as teacher of record in the area of their earned credential as verified by their current employer
Have been employed at their current school for at least one year by the start of the program
Have proficiency at each element of the 2024 CSTPs at an applying level (independently proficient) as verified by a one-time administrator evaluation (additional or revised submissions of this form will not be permitted or accepted)
Remain at the same school for the duration of the program
Successfully complete the 1-unit summer bootcamp course with a grade of "B" or better (bootcamp course scheduled in July).

Please note: The Teacher Evaluation form can only be completed one time by the school administrator, additional submissions of this form will not be permitted or accepted.

What materials are required to complete the application?

For Traditional (2-year) induction program applicants, their school administrator will need to complete and sign an Administrator Agreement form (sent to them via email from EIP) in order to verify the applicant’s eligibility for this program. Applicants must also submit a copy of their preliminary credential with their application.

For Early Completion Option (1-year) induction program applicants, their school administrator will need to complete and sign an Administrator Agreement and Recommendation Form (sent to them via email from EIP) as well as a Teacher Evaluation Form in order to verify the applicant’s eligibility for this program. Applicants must also submit a copy of their preliminary credential with their application.

Please visit the Teacher Induction Program Application page for more information.

What are the eligibility requirements for the two year traditional program?

To be eligible for the traditional 2-year Teacher Induction Program, a candidate must meet all of the following requirements:

Hold a valid California Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Preliminary Credential. (Commission staff may issue an extension of time by appeal for a credential or permit when an applicant verifies good cause for not completing the renewal requirements. For additional information, go to CTC Extension by Appeal for Credentials and Permits and/or email credentials@ctc.ca.gov.
During the program, teach at least two courses in the subject area/grade level indicated by your preliminary credential — at a school district, charter school or private school. (Teachers employed outside of California may be eligible. For additional information, contact coetip@fullerton.edu.)
During the program, remain employed as the teacher of record for no less than 10 students for teachers with a General Credential, no less than 3 students for teachers who have only an Education Specialist Credential, in assigned classrooms; plan, deliver, and assess standard based instruction, including the California Common Core State Standards; issue student grades; and be in direct communication with parents.
Have access to a diverse population of students including English Language Learners, students with special needs and GATE students.
Have face-to-face access to a mentor assigned by school district/site.
The candidate’s school administrator is required to validate the eligibility information above via our Administrator Agreement form.

In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, to be eligible for the 1-year Early Completion Option (ECO) Teacher Induction program candidates must:

Have a minimum of two years teaching experience as teacher of record in the area of their earned credential. A minimum of one year teaching at current school, and employed at the same school for the duration of the program is also required.
Be recommended to the ECO Teacher Induction Program by their school administrator. Please note: The candidate’s school administrator is required to validate the eligibility information the candidate provides and recommend them for the 1-year ECO by completing our Administrator Recommendation form.
To be considered for the 1-year Early Completion Option, school administrators will complete a Teacher Evaluation Form to verify applicants are independently proficient at each element of the recently revised (2024) California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTPs).

Please note: The Teacher Evaluation form can only be completed one time by the school administrator, additional submissions of this form will not be permitted or accepted.
Successfully complete our 1-unit summer EDEL/EDSC 502A bootcamp course with a grade of “B” or better

Candidates are not eligible for the Teacher Induction Program if they do not meet admission criteria listed above. This includes teachers who:

Do not have a valid general (single or multiple subject) credential or education specialist credential with at least two years remaining.
Do not have a contract for the first year of the program for at least 25% employment as a teacher of record in a California K-12 school/district with an approved Administrator Agreement Form.
Are day-to-day or long-term substitute teachers, instructional aides or RTI specialists.
Hold a Ryan Credential.
Were not prepared in California.
Are teachers of record with responsibility for less than 10 students.
Have successfully completed their first year of induction training/units at a school district

What if my preliminary credential has expired or will expire soon?

As long as you have earned a preliminary multiple or single subject credential, you are welcome to apply to our program, even if your preliminary credential has expired. Once we have reviewed and accepted your application, you can then fill out the CTC extension request form, have your employer complete the "Employing Agency" portion of the extension form, and then send it to us at coetip@fullerton.edu so that we can complete the "Induction Program" portion of your extension request form. We will send the completed extension request back to you so that you can submit it to the CTC for their review.

Do I need to be employed full-time?

Teachers employed at least 25% part-time (1.5 days a week) teaching at least two courses in the subject area/grade level indicated by their preliminary credential — are acceptable as long as they meet all additional admission criteria.

Do I need to remain employed for the full two years? What if I change jobs?

To continue in the program, you must remain employed by a California K-12 school with an approved Administrator Agreement Form. If anything listed on your approved Administrator Agreement Form changes (including: the subject or grade level you teach, the number of students you serve, amount of classes you teach, your school, etc.), you must notify both the TIP faculty coordinator and coetip@fullerton.edu immediately provide your new administrator’s name and email address so that we can send them a new Administrator Agreement form to complete. You may continue in the program as long as your new employer/administrator verifies that you still meet the program eligibility requirements. Participating teachers who separate from their employment during a course will be required to stop out of the program until re-employed.

What will happen if I do not pass a course?

In the event that a traditional TIP student does not receive a “B-“ grade or better in the first course, EDEL/EDSC/SPED 502E, that student will need to re-apply to the Teacher Induction Program the next time it is offered and (once accepted) start the program over from the beginning.

In the event that a traditional TIP student does not receive a “B-“ grade or better in any of the following courses: EDEL/EDSC/SPED 502F, 502G, or 502H, they will be required to stop out of the program and may not continue in the program until that course is successfully completed. A course may be repeated one time in order to receive a passing grade. Depending on your situation, this could result in a delay of a year or more.

If an ECO TIP candidate does not receive a “B” grade or better in the EDEL/EDSC 502A summer course, that student is no longer eligible for the 1-year ECO program. This student can either enroll for the traditional 2-year program in the fall semester (the same year they took the 502A course) OR re-apply to the Teacher Induction Program the next time it is offered and (once accepted) start the program over from the beginning.

Is it possible to teach in an out-of-state or international setting during the program?

Applicants who are teaching in international or out-of-state settings may qualify for the program if they meet California content and contexts. After you apply to the Teacher Induction Program, you will be sent an Out of State Standards Verification form to complete as part of your application.

Am I eligible for the program if I earned my initial credential outside of California?

Yes. However, you should confirm with CTC that they consider your credential acceptable for clearing.

What happens if I change schools or grade levels during the program?

If you are in the 1-year ECO program, you must remain at the same school for the duration of the program. If you are in the 2-year Traditional Completion program, ultimately, for maximum professional growth, you would be at the same school for the duration of the program. However, we understand that things happen, and your school may no longer have a position for you. If that is the case you will need a new administrator agreement that acknowledges you are in an induction program and the school will provide the necessary support for you to succeed. You must notify the TIP program coordinator (ldonovan@fullerton.edu) and University Extension Teacher Induction Program (coetip@fullerton.edu) immediately to ensure continuity of support.

CSUF Teacher Induction Program: Registration and Cost

When and how will I register and pay for the Teacher Induction Program courses?

Course fees are due at the time of registration each semester.

Approved applicants for the 2-year Traditional Completion Option will be emailed Fall registration information during the months of July and August.

1-year Early Completion Option program candidates are required to complete the EDEL/EDSC/SPED 502A Bootcamp course with a grade of “B“ or better during the Summer (July) in order to be admitted as a 1-year ECO candidate for the Fall term. (Those who receive lower than a “B” grade will be offered admission to the 2-year Traditional Completion instead starting the fall term of that year.)

1-year Early Completion Option (ECO) conditionally-accepted applicants will be emailed the EDEL/EDSC/SPED 502A Bootcamp course registration information in the months of May and June. ECO admitted students will be emailed Fall registration information in August (after 502A bootcamp grades are posted).

What is the expected cost of the Teacher Induction Program?

The program is offered through University Extension and the current course fee is $675 per unit. The 2-year Traditional Program consists of 9.0 units total ($6,075*). The 1-year Early Completion Option (ECO) program consists of 5.0 units total ($3,375*). *Fees are subject to change at any time without further notice.

Am I eligible for financial aid?

University Extension students are not eligible for traditional financial aid. However, University Extension provides information that may assist students to participate in private student loan programs. Please refer to Financial Assistance for Continuing Education.

CSUF Teacher Induction Program: District Responsibilities

What does my district need to sign?

The Administrator Agreement Form needs to be signed by the school administrator. It is an official document signed by the school administrator that confirms candidate employment, eligibility for our program, and identifies the mentor assigned by your school/district. The agreement describes the responsibilities of the school administrator, mentor, and candidate.

Who arranges for my mentor?

Site administrators will assign a mentor to candidates per the Administrator Agreement Form. The assigned mentor must complete a Mentor Agreement form confirming that they are eligible to serve as a mentor and agree to the mentor's responsibilities.

What if there is no one at my school who can be a mentor?

Ultimately, the mentor should be someone familiar with your specific school environment. This might be your administrator, a fellow educator, or a program specialist from your site. If not, the next best mentor is an educator from an alternate school or a retired educator who has familiarity and experience with your school environment. If a mentor from your district is not available, CSUF can try to match you with an appropriate campus mentor.

CSUF Teacher Induction Program: Mentor Responsibilities

How much mentoring and support will I receive during the program?

You will receive support from your instructor (campus-based mentor) and your site mentor. CTC requires a total of 15 hours of mentoring from your site mentor per semester. This means in some weeks, you will have 1 hour of mentoring and in other weeks, you will have 1-2 hours of mentoring.

When will I need to have a mentor assigned?

Per CTC requirements, mentors must be selected and assigned within 30 days of the participating teacher's (student's) enrollment. For successful course completion, we ask that mentors be assigned to the teacher candidate by the site administrator within one week following the course start date. Mentors may be assigned to support more than one new teacher candidate.

What if my mentor doesn't work out?

There are several reasons why a candidate may need to be placed with a different mentor other than the one originally assigned. Whatever the reason, it is the responsibility of the student/participant to notify their school administrator, the TIP faculty coordinator, and the email coetip@fullerton.edu of the issue/request to change mentors immediately.

Efforts will be made to maintain respect and sensitivity for all involved and work collaboratively towards a solution. Appropriate information will only be shared when needed.

If a solution cannot be reached with the current mentor, the school administrator will need to identify another qualified mentor to work with the student/participant. The new mentor must complete a Mentor Agreement form and submit it to coetip@fullerton.edu for review.

What are mentor qualifications?

The Teacher Induction Program provides guidance and clear expectations for the mentoring experience based on program design features. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires the following qualifications of mentors:

Knowledge of the contexts and the content area of the new teacher's teaching assignment;
Demonstrated commitment to professional learning and collaboration;
Possession of a Clear Teaching Credential
- General credential candidates must be paired with a mentor who holds the same type of credential as the candidate. Candidates with a preliminary Multiple Subject credential must be paired with a mentor with a cleared Multiple Subject credential. We highly recommend that these candidates be paired with mentors teaching in the same grade groups (i.e. K-3 candidates with K-3 mentors). Candidates with a preliminary Single Subject credential must be paired with a mentor teaching in the same subject matter (i.e. a candidate teaching History cannot be paired with a mentor teaching Math).
- Candidates with a preliminary Education Specialist credential must be paired with a mentor who holds the same credential type and teaches in the same specialty (i.e. moderate support needs (MMSN) candidates must be paired with a mentor with an MMSN specialty).
Ability, willingness, and flexibility to meet the new teacher's needs for support;
Minimum of three years of effective teaching experience; and
Approval by the new teacher's site administrator to serve in the role of mentor.

What are mentor responsibilities?

CTC requires the mentor to meet with you at least once a week (for a total of 15 hours) to support your growth in the CSTPs. The CTC also requires mentors to participate in approximately 2 hours of training per semester. The program coordinator works with mentors on this requirement.

What happens during mentor meetings?

Mentor meetings will come in many shapes and forms. Mostly, the meetings will be conversations and sharing resources on a topic related to course work and specific CSTPs. The topics will be provided to you in class and to the mentor by the program coordinator. Other meetings will include things such as the lesson observations, help with course assignments, attending PD together, just in time support for immediate issues, sharing resources, and so on.

Applying for the Clear Credential

What is the process for applying for a Clear Credential?

Upon completion of the Teacher Induction Program, candidates will apply for the Clear Credential through the Credential Preparation Center. The application requires documentation of current CPR certification and a processing fee.