Prospective Students

PK-3 ECE Instructional Specialist Credential

Admissions Deadlines

Application Process

Apply to the University Online - $70 University fee – non-refundable

Admissions Requirements:

1. Apply to the University online at Cal State Apply $70.00 University Fee (non-refundable)
   • Please review the application guide for additional information.
     
     1. When completing the Cal State Apply for Fall 2025 admissions, select the following program: Classified postbacc: PK-3 Credential.
     2. Please Note: Official transcripts from all institutions attended must be submitted to the Admissions Office prior to the deadline.
   •  Helpful tips to ensure your transcripts are received:
     • Submit your Cal State Apply application prior to sending official transcripts from your former institutions.
     • Use the same name on your Cal State Apply application as on your transcripts (if your name has changed, indicate this in your transcript order).
2. If you are interested in adding the Bilingual Authorization to your program, answer “Yes” to the following question in your application: “Are you interested in adding the Bilingual Authorization in Spanish?
3. Prepare documents to be scanned and uploaded
4. Baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. Graduating seniors are welcome to apply the semester they plan to graduate. Applicants can be conditionally accepted pending degree conferral.
5. Official transcripts of all college course history with degree posted. CSUDH Alums not required, except for all other institutions.
   • Sealed copy or electronic copy to be sent to University Admissions admissions@csudh.edu or CSUDH Office of Admissions & Records, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, CA 90747
   • Official opened copy to be uploaded with the COE Supplemental Program Application. CSUDH Alums upload unofficial copy.
6. Minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA) in all baccalaureate course work or 2.50 GPA in the last sixty (60) semester units attempted.
7. Verification of Subject Matter:
   • • • • Possession of a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a degree major in Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Human Development, Early Childhood Education, Child and Family Studies, Early Childhood Studies, Human Development and Family Science, Family Science, or Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies. See link for approved majors that meet subject matter.

            OR

           Completion of 24 semester units or the equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable coursework at a regionally accredited institution of higher education in early childhood education and/or child development. 
         • Completion of subject matter is not required to apply but requires a Continuous Progress Towards Subject Matter form to be completed and submitted with application. Subject Matter must be completed prior to entering Phase III (full-time student teaching). Subject matter is required to apply for an intern credential.
8. Copy of valid Certificate of Clearance, child development permit, emergency, substitute permit, or pre-intern credential. Live Scan form must be filed with the State of California, Commission on Teacher Credentialing (allow 10 days for processing).
9. Evidence of current negative TB test Applicants must provide verification of freedom from active tuberculosis. The TB test report or a letter from a physician regarding a chest x-ray, must have been administered within the last year and clearly indicate a negative result, as well as applicant name, DOB, and clinic information or stamp. This test may be completed at any health facility. If the applicant is a current CSUDH student, they may contact the CSUDH Student Health Center for a tuberculosis test. The telephone number is (310)-243-3629.
10. Essay up to 300 words: Discuss your interest in teaching preschool through 3rd grade students in racially and culturally diverse classroom at under-resourced schools in the Los Angeles area.
11. Equitable Standards for Clinical Practice (ESCP) Student Commitment Form
12. CPR Certification - Areas must include infant, child and adult CPR. Online certification is acceptable.
13. Letters of Recommendation - Applicants must provide two professional recommendations. Recommendations must be completed by a faculty member, employer, or someone that is knowledgeable regarding the applicant’s personal qualities and ability to work with children. Recommendations from family members and friends are not acceptable.

    Please be advised that your application will be considered incomplete until a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation are submitted by the application deadline. To ensure your application is complete, confirm that your recommenders have successfully completed their Likert scale evaluation and uploaded their letter of recommendation. Your application may not be reviewed and may be withdrawn if these requirements are not met by the deadline.

    Once you have saved an electronic recommendation, an email request will automatically be sent to the recommender on your behalf. Please advise your recommender to look for this email in their inbox, as well as their spam or junk-mail folder, as emails do occasionally get filtered out.

14. Verification of U.S. Constitution: Beginning with the Spring 2026 application cycle, you will need to meet this requirement via coursework (grade C or better) or by US Constitution Exam.

International Students (Additional Admissions Requirements):

1. Foreign Transcript Evaluation
   The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requires all foreign degrees/coursework to be evaluated by one of their approved agencies. Please see their website for a list of approved agencies.
2. English Proficiency (TOEFL)
   • International applicants need to provide proof of English proficiency by receiving a minimum proficiency score on an approved English Language Proficiency Exam. For up-to-date information on requirements, visit the CSUDH International Students webpage.