CCTC: Frequently Asked Questions

Community College Teaching Certificate

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About the Program | Prepping for An Internship | Teaching at a Community College |  Information & Registration

About the Program

Are there any prerequisites? Do I have to have a credential to participate?

The Community College Teaching Certificate is a graduate-level program. Participants should hold a master's degree in a subject area taught at the community college level, be in the final phase of a graduate degree program, or have any degree and 6 years of experience in the designated Career Technical Education (CTE) area.

While a teaching credential is helpful, it is not required to teach at the community college level (as it is for teaching at the K-12 level).

Teaching in the community college no longer requires a credential. Since 1990, most community colleges require faculty to have a master's degree in a discipline currently taught at the community college level.

What are the designated areas related to Career Technical Education (CTE) and how can I determine my eligibility?

If you have six years of work experience and a degree specific to one of the CTE designated industry sectors that is taught at a CC, you may be eligible to teach in that discipline. The Career Technical Education (CTE) industry sectors are listed on the California Department of Education website. For support in exploring this option, contact the course faculty.

What are the advantages of this program versus other kinds of certificate-style programs in terms of the benefits to the student?

Providing the optional internship is one of the biggest benefits of our program that sets us apart. It gives you a “foot in the door” kind of approach. You pick the community college of your choice to fulfill your internship and choose your own mentor, which may also provide you with visibility within the college.

When are the courses? What does the program cost?

Courses are scheduled for the benefit of working adults and are held on weekends. Courses are offered at least two times a year.

View our Course Descriptions, Schedules & Costs ►

Do I need to take the courses in a particular order?

This 3-course graduate-level program consists of two (2) preparatory courses (GED 548 & GED 549), followed by one (1) independent study course (GED 594). GED 548 and GED 549 can be taken in any order, but must be completed prior to attending GED 594.

Some things to note:

• Completing GED 548 & GED 549, each with a grade of “B” or better, is a prerequisite for the independent course, GED 594; students cannot sign up for the 594 course without first successfully completing the required courses and receiving approval from the program faculty by meeting the required criteria, which includes satisfying the California Community College Minimum Qualifications. 
• The optional internship with a faculty mentor is something students find on their own and coordinate with their own schedule in mind, as each person's location, discipline, days of availability, etc., are different. The CSUDH program faculty will provide guidance and assistance through the internship process.

How long does it take to complete the certificate?

The certificate can be completed in as little as two terms (one for the two preparatory courses and one for the independent study course). We recommend that students expect to complete within a 3–5 year period in order to stay up-to-date with California Community Colleges current/best practices.

Where are the classes held?

Classes include both live online and asynchronous online components.

Optional internships are held on-site or online through a community college where you arrange your internship (conducted only during the fall or spring terms).

Do you offer financial assistance?

• Financial aid is only available for programs that result in a degree.
• Students may qualify for WIOA funding. This program is approved for funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The majority of funding is budgeted toward adult and dislocated workers whose current job skills are out of date or will be soon; this is generally allocated for Adult, Dislocated Worker, Older Youth and Younger Youth categories. Clients seek training to update current skills or learn skills for a new career if their occupation is not in demand.
  For more information, view our WIOA Information Site ►
• Students may qualify for a private student loan through various sources. For more information, search online for "private student loan providers" to explore your options and review specific lender details.

For foreign diplomas, must a transcript evaluation be done before starting the Community College Teaching Certificate program?

Individuals who have completed college or university coursework at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts.

For details, visit: https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/foreign-transcript-evaluation-(cl-635)

It is crucial that you know the equivalency to a US degree before beginning the Community College Teaching Certificate Program so that you can identify the MQ areas in which you're qualified to teach. 

Do I need to be admitted to the University before registering for a course? Is there an application process?

Students do not need to be admitted to CSUDH to attend this program; students register through the CCPE Registration Office at 310-243-3741 (Option 1).

Optional: Prepping for An Internship

When do I take the Internship?

If you opt to pursue an internship, the process for looking for an internship (school, program, mentor, etc.) will begin during the academic courses (GED 548 and 549). Once you have secured your internship, it will take place during the Independent Study (GED 594) class. 

What guidance or support does the program offer related to the internship? Does the program support making contacts with the internship?

Students seek and secure their internship, as each person's needs regarding location, discipline, days of availability, etc. are unique to them. The internship course faculty guides and directs students through the process, providing helpful resources and guidance as well as support to ensure the internship agreement is accepted by the receiving institution. As professor of record, the internship course faculty evaluates the student's progress, collaborates with the mentor, and ensures all required intern evaluations are completed by the end of the semester.

Are there specific schools that offer an internship/have a relationship with your program?

The program has established relationships with a few community colleges, but keep in mind that the CC that you select must be within driving distance for you to attend on site. You can discuss this further with the internship course faculty. Internships must be performed at an accredited community college in the qualified discipline during the Fall or Spring semester.

How does a student find a mentor once they have completed the two prerequisite courses (GED 548 and GED 549)?

1. Each student is guided to look at the schedule of classes for the community colleges in their area. 
2. Students check the class offerings in their specific discipline to determine which one they could attend if a mentor accepts them. 
3. To help increase the response rates from potential mentors, an email template is provided to all students. 
4. An interview takes place with the potential mentor; if the intern is accepted, the internship course faculty completes an agreement between the CC and CSUDH. 

When should I contact a potential mentor to complete the third and last  class to secure an internship?

• You should contact the course faculty regarding your optional internship when you enroll in your second course of this certificate program. You will be guided to use an email template to ask for an interview with several potential mentors. 
• You search the CC schedule of classes in your discipline at a time and day that fits your schedule to ensure you can complete the 45 required hours for the semester. Most colleges release their Fall schedule in May and their Spring schedule in November. 

Can I complete my internship with a mentor at a university instead of a community college?

Community colleges generally require in-person interaction with an on-campus class while working with a mentor teacher; therefore, universities do not qualify for this internship class at this time.

How do students with a full-time job or other commitments complete the optional internship since it requires a full semester with a mentor at a community college?

We encourage you to check to see if the community college in your area offers evening or weekend classes in your specific discipline, or online internship opportunities, or other days/times that may still fit your schedule. Some students make specific arrangements with their employers to be able to participate and fulfill the one semester internship requirement. 

Do interns or mentors receive compensation when participating in the internship?

Interns do not receive financial compensation for the internship; however, they do receive graduate credit for the independent study class, and when completed, they can apply to receive a Certificate for Community College Teaching. Mentors are not compensated for their time.

What are the benefits of participating in the unpaid internship?

The internship is like a semester-long job interview. This is an opportunity to get your foot in the door, strengthen your network within the college, build relevant, applicable skills into your resume, and demonstrate your professionalism. You may want to attend committee meetings, possibly alongside your mentor teacher, and show your dedication to the role. It is a way for the community college to get to know you and see your potential, which may lead to further opportunities in the future.

What is the schedule of an internship? It is part-time or full-time?

The optional internship's requirements are to complete 45 hours (approximately 3 hours/week for a 15-week term) of classroom instruction under mentor guidance. Scheduling is dependent upon multiple factors including mentor availability and the community college course schedule.

I'm ready to start the internship process... What paperwork is needed?

Please contact the program faculty by November for the Spring semester and by July for the Fall Semester.

Completing the Certificate

Do I receive a certificate for completing the program?

Once you have successfully completed the program requirements and independent study, you can apply to receive the Certificate for Community College Teaching.

How do I claim my digital course badges and certificates?

There are several ways to view, check the status of, and/or share your digital credentials! Once a student has successfully completed GED 594, they can request their certificate badges by signing into Canvas Credentials to create an account using their CSUDH Toromail address. For more information, visit our Digital Credentials website.

Teaching at a Community College

What kind of teaching opportunities exist at local community colleges?

Community colleges are focused on students who want to transfer to universities, complete occupational certificates (i.e., nursing, child development, etc.) and take non-credit courses such as ESL. Applicants with teaching experience and the minimum qualifications in required general education subjects may have more employment opportunities within the community college system. Some disciplines are simply not taught at community colleges, or are in low demand for teachers. 

What are the degree requirements necessary to teach at a community college?

Almost all community college teaching positions require an earned master's degree. This requirement is called "the minimum qualifications or MQs."

The MQs can be found online by discipline:
Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges ►

Do I need a masters degree to complete your program?

To make sure a student has the best chance of completing the certificate, students should confirm that they meet the MQs, which may include a master's degree as determined by the MQ Handbook.

I reviewed the Minimum Qualifications Handbook that determines if I'm eligible to teach at a community college, but how do I find out if I meet "equivalency?"

Generally, applicants are not selected to interview for a teaching position unless they meet the minimum requirements for that discipline. Equivalency is rarely performed by CC HR departments except after an applicant has been hired for a position; CCs are responsible for reviewing an applicant’s graduate educational background to look for graduate-level courses completed in that discipline. (Please note that this process can take several months.)  

An applicant’s employment history can also be reviewed for courses in occupational disciplines where a minimum degree is already present. In those occupational areas, proof of employment is the secondary requirement for teaching. An example would be in Administration of Justice, which requires a bachelor’s degree and work experience in law enforcement or probation.

Is a teaching certificate required to teach at a community college?

Community colleges do not require you to complete a Community College Teaching Certificate before being considered for a teaching position. However, for those who do not possess any teaching experience, this program can prepare the applicant to compete for faculty (adjunct/lecturer) positions. The certificate program allows individuals to acquire the confidence, skills, and experience needed to be successful at teaching a wide range of students within the community college system.

I have a degree in one discipline but I'm not sure if community colleges teach this subject. Am I the right candidate for this program?

It is recommended that you search community colleges’ schedule of classes to see if they offer the courses for which you meet minimum requirements before starting this program.

I heard that community colleges teach a lot of online classes. Will this program prepare me to teach online?

This program is geared towards preparing students for obtaining teaching experience both on campus and online with students at a community college.

This program teaches (but does not certify) students how to teach online classes. In addition, some community college districts train their own faculty to teach online to ensure they meet the standards for quality online learning; however, all CCTC students will have already been prepared in advance by gaining practical knowledge and experience with online instruction and course building. 

Professional Links: How to Get a Community College Teaching Job

Minimum Qualifications Handbook for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges (for reference only)

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