1.   What is the process to apply to the different department programs?

See the handbook section on “How to Apply.”

 2. What is the "Two-Tier" Administrative Credential? 

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires (CCTC) has two levels of Administrative Services Credential: The Preliminary Administrative Services (Tier I) Credential and the Professional Administrative Services (Tier II) Credential.  Upon the completion of Tier I, students who are not yet employed in Administration can apply for the Certificate of Eligibility.  This certificate authorizes them for employment in administration.  Upon initial employment in an administrative position, the certificate holder will be eligible to apply for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential which is valid for 5 years.  The completion of a Professional Administrative Services Credential program is required within the first 5 years of employment as an Administrator.

The CSUEB Professional Administrative Services Credential Program (Tier II) is a three-quarter sequence.  The program begins in the Fall quarter; however, if interest warrants, another cohort could begin in another quarter.  Students form a cohort group that stays together for three consecutive quarters of the program and become an important professional and personal support to each other.  The CSUEB Tier II program is a combination of classes (face-to-face and on-line activities) in advanced instructional leadership and management skills and includes supervised fieldwork for the new on-the-job administrator.

3. What is the Internship Credential?

§      An Internship Credential allows you to hold an administrative job while you complete your Tier I Credential.  If you qualify for the Internship Program (i.e. you will have at least a 40% administrative position) contact Professor Jose Lopez at jose.lopez@cuseastbay.edu.  

4. On the University application, what should I declare as my “objective” with the University?

If you are likely to pursue and Master's Degree, designate the Master Degree code (08271) on the university graduate application.  If you declare, "credential only," you can decide later to go on for the Master’s Degree as a new objective.

5. What is Tier I fieldwork? 

Fieldwork is a three-quarter sequence of field-based administrative activities that is cooperatively planned by you, your district supervisor (usually your principal), and a university facilitator. Your cohort coordinator will provide an orientation and a Fieldwork Handbook to assist you in the process. Fieldwork provides the opportunity for practical, "nuts and bolts" development of leadership skills.

6. What about course loads?  I work full-time! 

All coursework can be completed while working full-time.  Classes are generally offered 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. during the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters, with occasional Saturday meetings and afternoons or evenings during Summer quarter.  Seminars are held on Saturdays for the Tier I Internship program.  Tier II classes are offered on selected Saturdays.

7.  How many courses do I take per quarter?

8. When should I take the CBEST? 

Successful passage of CBEST is a requirement before the beginning of the program.  The test is offered several times per year, so plan ahead for registration deadlines.  When you receive notification of having passed the test, please send the department one of the "Transcript Verification" cards attached to your test results.  Successful passage of this test is required for all internship candidates before CTC will issue the internship Credential.

9. How do I talk with an Advisor? 

Once you enter the program, your advisor is your Cohort Instructor.  In the Research Cohort your advisor is the Graduate Coordinator.  At any time, however, you may call for an appointment with the Department Chair or the Graduate Coordinator.

10. How many units can I transfer towards the credential?

Transferable units for the credential are dependent upon where the course was taken, how long ago, whether the content is aligned to CCTC requirements, etc. You should make an appointment with the relevant program coordinator or with the Department Chair to determine how many units can be transferred.

11. What do I need to put on the university application?

PART A

To specify the major/program objective for which you are applying.

§      Write: EDLD

What is your degree objective? 

§      Write: CREDENTIAL OR MASTERS/CREDENTIAL in the blank spaces

Educational Credential Objective…

§      Write: Y since you are applying to a credential program this term 

§         In Credential Objective Name write either: Preliminary Administrative" (Tier I) or  Professional Level Administrative" (Tier II)

§         In Credential Code write either:

--501 (for the Preliminary Administrative Credential) or

--502 (for the Professional Level Administrative Credential) 

PART B

Employment and Service 

§      Write: On file with the department

References

§      Write: On file with the department

Statement of Purpose

§      Write: I am applying in order to complete the (Preliminary Administrative Credential) and if you plan on completing your master's degree add and to complete a master's degree in Educational Leadership

For additional assistance with the university application, contact

§      Admissions (510) 885-2784; University Directory Assistance (510) 885-3000

12. What is the relationship among credentials?

If you have at least a 40% administrative position, have passed CBEST, have three years of teaching experience, and are accepted into the Internship Program, you may apply for an Internship Credential.  This credential is good for two years.  By the end of those two years, you must have completed the program for the Preliminary Credential.  Should you obtain a full time administrative position at the conclusion of your course work, you apply for a Preliminary Credential.  If you do not have an administrative position, you can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which has no expiration date.  Within five years of securing an administrative position, you must complete a Professional Credential program.  To apply for the Tier II Credential you must have 2 years of administrative experience. 

13. How do I apply for the Preliminary Credential or Certificate of Eligibility?

In the last quarter of coursework, you can obtain an application from the Credential Student Service Center (CSSC AE 235) for an application.  The University recommends you for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Credentials, not your district.  You must have:

·        Verification of passing scores on the CBEST in your file 

·        A copy of your teaching credential

·        Verification from your district indicating you have a minimum of 3 years full time teaching or services experience

·        Verification from your district that you have a full-time administrative position if applying for the Preliminary Credential

·        A 3.0 GPA in all credential courses.  

14. What is the Writing Skills Requirement for the Master's degree?

The University's Writing Skills Requirement applies to all master's is degree candidates.  See the university web site for further information or contact the Assessment and Testing office at 510. 885. 3661. 

15. How many units can I transfer towards the Master's degree? 

The Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership is a 45-quarter unit degree program.  There is a 13-unit limit for any combination of extension or non-resident units.  Units taken as part of a previous degree cannot be used towards a current master degree.  Transferable units must be less than 5 years old and must be approved by the department Graduate Advisor. 

§      Contact the Graduate Advisor if you have questions related to the Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.  Contact information is on the department web site. 

§      If you have questions about transferable units for the Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with an Emphasis in Urban Teacher Leadership (UTLMS), contact the UTLMS program coordinator via links on the department web site.   .

16. What is the Five Year Rule for the M.S.? 

Courses you wish to apply towards the degree must not be more than five years old.  To determine whether or not your courses exceed the 5-year rule, count back from your expected quarter of graduation.  For example, if you wish to graduate in Spring of 2005, courses taken before Summer 2000 exceed the 5-year limit and cannot be applied toward the degree. 

17.  Should I wait to complete my electives for the Master's degree until I am working on Tier II?

All Tier II classes may be used as electives toward the degree electives.  However, since Tier II accepts only those students with administrative positions, it is probably better to complete the degree first.  If you wait until you've completed the Tier II, the 5-year limit on your courses taken for the preliminary credential may have expired and may not count toward the completion of the Master’s Degree.  Masters electives may be approved as Tier II non-University units. 

18.  How do districts view the Master's degree in Educational Leadership?

Many districts view the M.S. degree as a requirement for an administrative position.  However, you're the best judge of how this applies to your professional goals.

19.  What happens to me if the Department / University rules change? 

You should purchase a University catalog the quarter you officially begin the program.  The university website in the class schedule is important information about registration fees, add/drop procedures, graduation procedures, and refunds.  The catalog and class schedule are available online at http://csueastbay.edu for the current year.