Credential Program

Application portfolios for the Spring credential program are due on October 15. Applications for the Fall credential program are due March 15.

About the Credential

Undergraduates who have completed the CalTeach minor and declared a major in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field are eligible to apply for the credential program. This program supports them in obtaining a math or science secondary school teaching credential, allowing them to begin teaching in middle or high school upon graduation. Students admitted to the credential program will participate in student teaching while concurrently enrolling in the final CalTeach course, EDSTEM 303: Apprentice Teaching.

The CalTeach Credential Program is unique in the state of California as it grants credentials concurrently with undergraduate education.  This enables aspiring teachers to enter the classroom sooner and at a reduced cost compared to a typical post-baccalaureate credential program.

Application

Eligibility

Admission to the credential program is exclusively for students majoring in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. STEM students now have the ability to complete the SMR Worksheet that allows undergraduate course work to meet CSET requirements.  Non-STEM majors should contact the Student Services Coordinator for an evaluation of their coursework and advice on what the Admissions Committee will be considering, along with potential suggestions for additional or alternate coursework..

*Note: Some students may complete the Credential Program in the semester following graduation through UC Berkeley Extension concurrent enrollment. To apply, students must submit their application (including a $125 fee) to Berkeley Extension. A step-by-step guide for enrollment is available here

As of June 29, 2024,  recent legislative changes have eliminated the requirement for the CBEST and BSR worksheets for students who have already graduated. This change simplifies the path to obtaining a teaching credential. If you are an undergraduate, we are currently reviewing whether these requirements still apply before student teaching. Stay tuned for further updates on this matter. For now, enjoy one less hurdle in your journey towards becoming a teacher!

Application Materials

Please see the right sidebar for the application forms and credential program information.

Application Deadlines

For the Spring Credential program, applications are due annually on October 1st. For the Fall credential program, applications are due on March 15th.

Subject Matter Requirements

Please consult the CalTeach Subject Matter Requirements Worksheet: Calteach Subject Matter Requirements Worksheet for information on the updated SMR Requirements for our program.

Deferral

If you choose to defer your admission to the CalTeach Credential Program, kindly complete and return the Deferral Request Formf you choose to defer your admission to the CalTeach Credential Program, please complete and return the  Deferral Request Form to the Student Services Coordinator.

Credential Program

Students admitted to the credential program will participate in student teaching while concurrently enrolling in the final CalTeach course, EDSTEM 303 Apprentice Teaching. To choose this option, you must have availability in your schedule to complete student teaching and the Apprentice Teaching course during your last semester at Berkeley, or during one semester of a fifth year. The student teaching placement will require at least two hours per day in the classroom (Observe 1 hour, Teach 1 hour) minimum, plus additional time for travel and preparation. The specific schedule will be determined by the school where your student teaching placement is located.

EDSTEM 303: Apprentice Teaching

Apprentice Teaching (EDSTEM 303) meets one afternoon each week for two hours. Taught as a seminar, the course provides a supportive and collaborative environment where apprentice teachers share their experiences and successes and work through classroom challenges. One of the central components of Apprentice Teaching is the teacher inquiry project: a systematic, data-based investigation that teachers use to improve their professional practice. Instructors and peers provide guidance and feedback as apprentice teachers plan, implement, and evaluate these projects. The finished project portfolio serves as the final evaluation for the course. The course also emphasizes curriculum and assessment planning, and instructional strategies to actively engage students.

Teacher Candidate Funding Explorer 

The Teacher Candidate Funding Explorer is a searchable database of federal and state dollars you may be eligible to collect to make your journey toward a teaching credential affordable or cost-free. Funding opportunities depend on your unique circumstances, as well as your choices in career and teacher program pathway.

For more guidance about how to blend and braid these funds, see Funding Your Future in Teaching. This practical guide offers financial planning steps for every aspiring educator—and example funding packages for those considering a California-based teacher residency program.

Documents & Forms

Application Forms

Lesson Plans

Questions? See Our FAQ Page.
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