Earning your California Teaching Credential

To teach in California, it is necessary to hold a California teaching credential. As a Fellow, you will have the unique opportunity to teach full-time in an OUSD classroom, while completing all credentialing requirements. All candidates accepted into the Oakland Teaching Fellows will enroll in an approved Intern Credential Program to earn their California teaching credential. The Teaching Fellows program office will provide accepted candidates with additional information and resources for making contact with and enrolling in specific Intern Credential Programs. Once a Fellow has been accepted by an Intern Credential Program and has secured a school-level teaching position the credential program will apply for an Intern Teaching Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) on the Fellows' behalf.

While the Oakland Teaching Fellows program helps Fellows connect the pieces to earn their California teaching credentials, it is the Fellow's responsibility to meet Intern Credential Program requirements and submit verification of Intern status to OUSD Human Resources by August 16, 2010.

Note: One requirement to gain admittance to an Intern Credential Program and to teach anywhere in the State of California is the passage of California teaching tests. Fellows must take and pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) and the Basic Skills Requirement, typically the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), prior to beginning the summer Training Institute. Please click here for more information and to get started preparing for these important tests.

Intern status gives eligible individuals with no previous education coursework the opportunity to teach and earn a full teacher's salary and benefits while taking classes to earn their Preliminary or Level I Teaching Credential. Assuming timely completion of all requirements and good standing with the District, all Fellows will receive a Preliminary Teaching Credential by the end of their third year of teaching. Fellows should continue on to earn their California Clear Credential.

Visit the FAQ page for responses to common questions about earning your credential by clicking here.

For more information about the credentialing process in California visit the CCTC website.

Credential Pathways

Fellows are required to enroll in an Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)-approved Intern Credential Program that aligns with the subject area they have been assigned and will begin teaching in the fall. OTF has worked closely with the following Intern Credential Programs:

Oakland Practitioner Teacher Program (OPTP)

The Oakland Practitioner Teacher Program is the District Intern Program for special education teachers. Each component of the OPTP is designed to complement the needs of first-year teachers. The program focuses on opportunities for teachers to gain practical experience and build on their current teaching practice. Participants attend seminars conveniently located in Oakland and taught by instructors who are familiar with the challenges of teaching in high-need schools. For more information about OPTP, click here.

Alliant International University (AIU)

Alliant International University offers a variety of programs for those pursuing multiple subject and single subject teaching credentials. In addition, Alliant University offers an accelerated, Early Completion Option for qualified candidates. The early completion program would allow a candidate to earn their Preliminary California Teaching credential in two semesters. For more information on these programs, visit Alliant University's website.

Holy Names University (HNU)

Holy Names University offers students the opportunity to work towards teaching credentials in a variety of single subject areas, and multiple subjects with a bilingual track. To learn more about HNU's credential programs please visit the Holy Names University website.

San Francisco State University (SFSU)

San Francisco State University offers students the opportunity to work towards a variety of teaching credentials including moderate/severe special education, single subject areas, and multiple subject with a bilingual track. To learn more about SFSU's credential programs please visit San Francisco State University's website.

University of San Francisco (USF)

University of San Francisco offers a variety of Intern Credential Programs in multiple subjects with a bilingual track and single subject areas. To learn more about USF's credential programs please visit the University of San Francisco website.