PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Credential
Becoming a Teacher for PK/TK through grade 3
PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program prepares candidates to teach in preschool through grade 3. The program prepares candidates to collaborate with professionals for diversity, equity, and inclusion and to meet the individual needs of all children and families. This program incorporates cutting-edge educational theories, innovative and effective teaching practices, and guided field experiences in culturally and linguistically diverse schools. Two post-baccalaureate pathways are offered (traditional student teaching and intern) in a hybrid modality, in which one-third of the content is delivered online and two-thirds face-to-face on the SFSU campus.
We also offer 1) an option to complete a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education program or Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction after credential students finish the credential program and 2) adding a bilingual authorization in Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish to teach in a bilingual classroom setting from preschool through grade 3, after completing the credential program.
PK-3 ECE Program Pathway Options
This program offers evening classes, and candidates are placed for student teaching in socially, economically, culturally, and linguistically diverse PK/TK and K-3 classroom settings. The program’s coursework and teaching placements guide and support candidates to develop culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate, and inquiry-based instruction to meet learning standards and promote social justice and equity for children and their families.
Candidates are placed in cohort learning communities to take sequenced coursework as a group. Subject Matter Competency must be completed before the spring semester begins.
Completion Pathway
| Summer | Fall | Spring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courses | EED 719 Play & Inquiry-Based Learning
EED 768 Culturally Sustaining Teaching & Learning |
EED 733* Integrated Teaching through the Arts
EED 734 Teaching Early Childhood Math, PK-3 SPED 671 Supporting Social/Emotional Development and Equitable Practices for Young Children with Disabilities and their Families EED 628 PK3 Practicum Seminar 1 |
EED 738 Language and Literacy in Multilingual PK3
EED 735* Science and Environmental Education EED 758 Practicum Seminar 2 |
| Fieldwork | EED 608 Fieldwork Phase I (3 units) 15 hours/week for 16 weeks, 2.5 days | EED 748 Fieldwork Phase II (3-4 units) 3 days/week for 16 weeks (January start) |
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing provisional permit allows non-credentialed individuals to work as the teacher of record only if the teacher is enrolled in a credential program and meets other criteria. Hiring decisions are made entirely by the local school district. If a candidate has an offer of employment and wishes to enroll in the intern program, the following conditions must be met:
- A candidate must show evidence of completion of Subject Matter Competency.
- A school district must offer the candidate a teaching position at a PK/TK or K-3rd elementary school site;
- A candidate must apply and be admitted to an accredited credential program;
- The candidate must complete 120 credit hours of credential coursework (equivalent to three 3-unit classes)
Once these conditions are met, the candidate must submit an application for the intern teaching permit to the Department of Elementary Education Intern Coordinator, who will review for approval. The Graduate College of Education Credential Analyst will then authorize the permit.
*Note: Interns work at a slower coursework pace while in the credential program to permit full time employment.