Intern Pathway

The Education Specialist Credential Program Internship Pathway is designed for candidates who:

  • Have been admitted to the Post-Baccalaureate Education Specialist Credential Program
    (Note: Liberal Studies ITEP candidates are not eligible)
  • Hold a Bachelor鈥檚 degree
  • Have met all internship eligibility requirements (see below)
  • Have been offered full-time employment as the teacher of record in a public school district or charter school with a 色中色-approved Internship Agreement on file

Program Overview

  • The Internship Pathway includes the same 39 units as the Traditional Education Specialist Credential Program.
  • Once prerequisites are completed, candidates may finish the remaining program courses and student teaching requirements while employed as an intern teacher (with program approval).
  • Internship candidates must enroll in EDSP 586: Internship Support Course each semester they are employed on an internship credential (except during semesters when they are student teaching).

Is an Internship the Right Pathway for Me?

  • Internships are not right for everyone. You may be ready for an internship if you have the following:
    • Experience as a long term substitute teacher for an extended period of time
    • Experience as a private school teacher
  • The Internship Program is a rigorous program where you will be not only completing the CTC and program requirements to receive your preliminary credential but also working full time as a teacher of record.

Position Requirements

  • Must be in a district or charter school within the 色中色 service area in which 色中色 has an active Affiliation Agreement and Intern MOU on file.
  • Interns are only authorized to teach in the area authorized by their credential. For Education Specialist you must be in the setting that matches the suthorization (MMSN or ESN) that you are pursuing.
  • Interns are required to have a site support person/mentor teacher that holds a clear credential in the same area in which they are pursuing. For BILA candidates, the site support person must hold a BILA authorization as well.
  • The Site Support Person/Mentor Teacher are responsible for:
    • Being the onsite support and having an open door policy for any questions the intern may have
    • Assisting the Intern in ensuring that they are receiving the required number of hours of support from the employer on a weekly basis.
    • Observing the intern periodically.
    • Completing the midterm and final student teaching feedback forms during the student teaching semester.
    • Signing the Intern Mentor Teacher Agreement which will outline all the responsibilities.

Important Notes

  • Internships are only available in public school districts and charter schools with a 色中色-approved agreement.
  • Internships cannot be completed in private schools.

Prerequisites (11 units)

Note: EDSP 410 & EDSP 454 must be in progress or completed to apply to ESCP. EDSP 410, EDSP 454, EDEL 452 & UDCP 400 must be completed with grades posted prior to being eligible to apply for an internship. Applications submitted while these courses are in progress will not be accepted.

  • EDSP 454 - Academic & Language Development of English Learners (3 units)
  • EDSP 410  - Equity in Special Education (3 units) 

Must complete EDSP 454 and EDSP 410 to be eligible for program admission.

  • UDCP 400 - Foundations of Teaching & Learning in Diverse Inclusive Settings (2 units) **
  • EDEL 452  - Teaching & Learning Reading (3 units) ** -OR- EDSE 457/458/459*鈥 Reading & Writing in Secondary School  (3 units) 

** In order to enroll in these classes prior to admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program, candidates must have a viable job offer, meet Subject Matter Competency, have a valid CTC Clearance and TB Test, complete a faculty interview and have approval from the Program Coordinator. 

Core Courses 

Intern Pathway Core Courses for Mild Moderate Support Needs and/or Extensive Support Needs: 

  • EDSP 564 - Assessment & Evaluation of Students with Disabilities  (3 units)
  • EDSP 558 - Literacy for Students with Diverse Abilities (4 units)
  • EDSP 534 - Collaboration & Transition in Special Education  (3 units)
  • EDSP 518 鈥 Integrated Math Instruction Across Content Areas  (3 units)
  • UDCP 401 - Positive Behavior Supports (3 units)
  • EDSP 577 鈥 Instructional Methods and Strategies for Individuals with MMSN  or EDSP 578 鈥 Instructional Methods and Strategies for Individuals with ESN  (3 units)
  • EDSP 586 鈥揈ducation Specialist Intern Credential Supervision  (1 unit) Candidates that are on approved internship credentials must enroll in EDSP 586 each semester not in Student Teaching. 

Student Teaching

  • EDSP 587 鈥 Student Teaching: MMSN (8units)  or EDSP 588 鈥 Student Teaching: ESN (8 units)
  • EDSP 589 鈥 Student Teaching Seminar (1 unit)  

Semester 1 鈥 Internship Pre-Requisites (11 units) 

  • EDSP 410 (3) 

  • EDSP 454 (3)

  • EDEL 452 (3) or EDSE 457/458/459** (3) 

  • UDCP 400** (2) 

** In order to enroll in these classes prior to admission to the Education Specialist Credential Program, candidates must have a viable job offer, meet Subject Matter Competency, have a valid CTC Clearance and TB Test, complete a faculty interview and have approval from the Program Coordinator. 

Semester 2 鈥 Core Courses (10 units) 

  • EDSP 534(3) 

  • UDCP 401 (3) 

  • EDSP 518 (3) 

  • EDSP 586 (1) * 

Semester 3 鈥 Core Courses (8 units) 

Submit Student Teaching Application during this semester prior to the appropriate deadline.

  • EDSP 558 (4) 

  • EDSP 564 (3) 

  • EDSP 586 (1) * 

Semester 4 鈥 Core Courses and Student Teaching (12 units) 

  • EDSP 577 (3) or EDSP 578 (3) 

  • EDSP 587 (8) or EDSP 588 (8) 

  • EDSP 589 (1) 

Program Policy requires that students maintain a 3.0 GPA in Core Courses with no grade lower than a "C." A grade of "D" or "F" will result in the candidate being placed on probation and given two academic semesters to retake the course to receive a C or higher.  Candidates not able to complete remediation within two academic semesters will be disqualified from the program.  

Intern Candidates must meet state and program conditions for advancement to student teaching.  Intern Candidates must obtain a Student Teaching Application from the website and apply to Student Teaching at the beginning of the semester prior to enrolling in the courses listed below. See the Student Teaching website for more information on Student Teaching, procedures and policies, the application process and deadlines. 

Candidates that receive an internship offer after the registration period ends for the semester (census - week 4 of the semester) will not be able to be approved until the following semester when the candidate is able to enroll in EDSP 586, apart from student teaching. Candidates wishing to use an internship position for Student Teaching must have an official job offer by January 2 or August 1 prior to the start of the semester to allow enough time to complete the Eligibility and Approval Process and be recommended for their internship before the semester begins.  

To be eligible for an internship, ESCP Candidates must have met ALL of the following requirements: 

  • Be fully admitted to the Education Specialist Credential Program
  • Be in good standing in the Education Specialist Credential Program
  • Be a matriculated 色中色 Student (Interns must be matriculated and enrolled in a course each semester they are an active ESCP Intern. Interns cannot take an Educational Leave of Absence.)
  • Hold a Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution in the US or equivalent.
  • Have completed the Subject Matter Competency Requirement
  • Have completed the US Constitution Requirement
  • Have completed the following courses: EDSP 454, EDSP 410, EDEL 452/EDSE 457, and UDCP 400  

Candidates that receive an internship offer after the registration period ends for the semester (census - week 4 of the semester) will not be able to be approved until the following semester when the candidate is able to enroll in EDSP 586, apart from student teaching. Candidates wishing to use an internship position for Student Teaching must have an official job offer by January 2 or August 1 prior to the start of the semester to allow enough time to complete the Eligibility and Approval Process and be recommended for their internship before the semester begins. 

Once candidates have completed all of the above requirements, they are eligible for an internship and can request an to provide school districts when applying for teaching positions. 

University Admission

  • Admission to the credential program is separate from admission to the university.
  • Post-Bacc students must apply to the university at by the published deadline.
  • Most candidates:
    • Apply to the university first (to complete prerequisites), then apply to the program.
  • Some candidates:
    • Apply to the university and program simultaneously if prerequisites are already completed.
  • 鈿狅笍 University admission does not guarantee program admission.

Steps to Apply for the ESCP Internship Pathway

Step 1: Secure a Teaching Position

  • Obtain a full-time teaching position as the teacher of record.
  • Confirm that 色中色 has an Internship Agreement with your district.
  • Obtain an Offer of Employment on district letterhead including:
    • District and school site
    • Start date
    • Grade level/assignment
    • The type of credential or permit you will be employed under.

Step 2: Complete the Pre-Internship Application to initiate the approval process.

Prior to completing the Pre-Internship Application you must have an official offer in writing from your district HR. You will need to upload this to the Pre-Internship Application. 

Click here to complete Pre-Internship Application

鈿狅笍 Important Deadline Policy

  • Internships cannot be approved after census (week 4 of the semester).
  • If you receive an offer after census, approval will be delayed until the next semester.

Deadlines for Pre-Internship Applications

Internship TypeFall DeadlineSpring Deadline
Pre-Student Teaching Internship (still completing methods courses)September 15February 15
Student Teaching Internship (all coursework completed; internship replaces student teaching)August 1January 2

Step 3: Program Review

  • Once your Pre-Internship Application is submitted:
    • The Student Success & Advising Center (SSAC) will review eligibility.
    • The application is sent to your Program Coordinator for review.
    • If approved, the Faculty Intern Coordinator will contact you to schedule your Step 4 meeting.

Step 4: Internship Application & Credential Recommendation

  • Meet with the Faculty Intern Coordinator to review internship and application requirements.
  • Submit your completed Internship Application (via DocuSign) for final approval. Must be submitted prior to the 色中色 semester beginning for Student Teaching Interns or prior to census date for Pre-Studenet Teaching Interns.
  • Once approved and all documents are in place:
    • You will be recommended to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for your Internship Credential within 10-14 days of your application being approved by your program coordinator.
    • You will then receive an email from CTC with instructions to apply online with the CTC and pay the fee. Your credential will then typically be granted within 10-14 days.
  • 鉁 The Internship Credential is valid for 2 years.
    鉁 To earn your Preliminary Teaching Credential, all program requirements (including CalTPAs) must be completed.

Ongoing Requirements

  • Remain enrolled in at least one credential course (EDSP 586) each semester until program completion.
  • Log weekly Intern support hours in MyCED.
  • Prepare lesson plans for University Mentor when being observed
  • Meet a minimum of 6 times throughout the semester with your University Mentor.
  • Attend Mandatory Program Workshops.
  • Interns cannot take a Leave of Absence.