IMPACT Intern Program

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing sets the minimum standards for Intern Eligibility. Once you are Intern Eligible, you can get hired as a teacher of record, apply for your University Intern Credential and begin our two-year IMPACT credential program to earn a CA Preliminary Teaching Credential. The following requirements must be satisfied to be Intern Eligible:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
2. Complete an approved Pre-Service Preparation Program
3. Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirements, e.g., CBEST
4. Demonstrate subject matter competency for your desired credential type, e.g., CSET (Early Childhood Special Education does not need this requirement).
5. Complete the US Constitution Requirement (you met this if you earned your BA/BS from a California State University, CSU)

• Once you are intern eligible, you can be hired as a teacher of record (get the pay and benefits of a teacher), while you are taking classes in the evening to earn a CA Preliminary Teaching Credential.
• Timing, cost, and support are some of the benefits as well.
• Classes are held at a time and frequency that allows a teacher to work full time (e.g. two days a week, 5pm-8pm).
• Peer support comes from a variety of sources, for example, coordinators, instructors, university supervisors, peers, and peer coaches.

At this time, we do not have online classes. We offer a face-to-face program. We offer our coursework on two different campuses: The main TCSJ campus in Stockton or our satellite campus at Central Valley High School in Ceres.

• No more than 8 units can be transferred.
• Only courses completed within the last 7 years will be considered (unless you already hold a credential)
• Only courses that qualify for graduate credit by an accredited institution can be transferred. *Exception: Integrated credential coursework completed as an undergraduate may be considered pending review of transcripts and course descriptions.

Once enrolled in the IMPACT Program you are expected to attend all classes on your schedule with your cohort. Our program has a cohort structure, that is to say, groups of students go through the program together. The relationships and support established in cohorts is strongly linked to intern success. Our interns are given their schedule at the beginning of their two-year program so they will know when there are program breaks and be able to plan vacations, etc. Usually, we do operate on a traditional school calendar, which means intern courses are not scheduled during some of the summer months. The schedule that is created for you and your cohort is carefully planned out and arranged in a way that you must complete the courses in the order that they are in.

No, IMPACT is an Intern program through which you can earn only one credential at a time. However, you could finish one, then start the other credential program, and we would give you equivalencies for courses that apply (e.g. you would not have to attend those again).

You must do the job-hunting yourself. We recommend you contact each district with whom you have an interest, and use the recruitment website edjoin.org to inquire as to needs and application process. Demonstrating subject matter competency (e.g. passing the CSET exams) will be the most important support to your employment search. Our Pre-Service Coordinator will provide you with a letter that documents your status, which you may copy and include with your employment applications.

At this time, we do not have tuition assistance programs for our intern credential program (e.g. financial aid). We do provide a way to pay intern tuition in small monthly increments through automatic payroll deductions (available for most districts) and we offer interest-free payment plans.

If a district is not able to hire enough fully credentialed teachers, the next best opportunity for a district is to employ an intern, who is earning their credential while teaching.

You must want to do it. If one has the desire to be a teacher; enjoys being with children or teens; and is willing and open to learn, the district, school and our program assist you during the process of obtaining your credential. Also, our Pre-Service program builds a foundation for teaching prior to becoming the teacher of record. If you feel that you are not ready to take the responsibility of a classroom on your own, then perhaps you should apply to Residency@TCSJ or a traditional student teaching program at a university. However, on-the-job training for many professions has a high success rate. The ability to combine knowledge with practice creates a strong, real learning environment for a new teacher.

No. Your internship (teaching position for the duration of the two-year program) is comparable to student teaching and you will be supervised and evaluated during your time as an intern teacher.

Refer to Ed. Code Section 44466 and discuss this with your employer.

Yes. Education Code Section 44327 is very clear that school districts must recognize credit earned by each intern and that it is transferable to their academic record in the same manner as if the intern had participated in a traditional college program. We recommend that you discuss this with your employer.

No, however, unlike other intern programs, you are considered a probationary employee with an Intern Credential. As such, districts must notify you if you are non re-elected. However, the majority of our interns remain with the same district throughout the duration of their program.

Admission into the IMPACT intern program takes place every fall. If you are not eligible to enroll by the fall admission deadline, you may apply in future years. It is important to note, the CCTC may change the intern eligibility requirements and/or the standards. In these cases, when taking a break between completing Pre-Service coursework and enrolling in IMPACT, you may need to complete additional or different coursework when you return, prior to being eligible for admission to the intern program.

Yes. Our program is a fully accredited alternative teacher certification program through CCTC (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, phone: 916-445-7254). Our college is also accredited by WASC. We highly recommend candidates review the CCTC website for further information regarding credential requirements (www.ctc.ca.gov). Our program has to meet the exact same requirements of all other California teacher preparation programs. We are listed on the website under “Commission-Approved Professional Preparation Programs.”

University intern credentials are valid for a period of two years and lead to the preliminary credential.

California has a two-tiered credential system, preliminary and clear. At the end of the IMPACT Teaching Credential program, candidates who complete the program requirements are eligible to apply for a Preliminary Teaching Credential. This credential is valid for 5 years. Within 5 years, a candidate must complete a Commission approved induction program to clear their credential.

No. Internship programs result in the same credential as is earned through a traditional teacher preparation program (e.g. California Preliminary). All credentials are issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. However, the difference may be the way another State recognizes the credential. Credentials earned in Stockton ARE earned through Teachers College of San Joaquin and are therefore accredited by WASC. You can check with the credentialing agency of a state if that is of specific concern. Be sure to mention the credential earned would be a California Preliminary Credential earned through an alternative certification program accredited by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing. If you plan to move to another state you should NOT join our program unless you are certain the state to which you might move accepts a valid California credential earned through an accredited teacher preparation credential program.

California requires verification of teachers’ basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. You can learn more at https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/basic-skills-requirement-(cl-667).

California requires verification of teachers’ knowledge of the subject they will teach. You can learn more at https://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/subject-matter-requirements.

Yes. If you want to earn an Education Specialist Credential*, you may technically demonstrate subject matter competency in multiple subject or single subjects. You can learn more at https://www.ctc.ca.gov/educator-prep/subject-matter-requirements.
*As of January 31, 2023, subject matter is not required to earn an Early Childhood Special education teaching credential.

Yes, credentials are not related to your degree. We recommend you base your choice on the age group with whom you enjoy working.

Both credentials are for TK-12. Usually elementary (TK-6th grades) are multiple subject teachers; single subjects are taught in middle school (7-8) or high school. Occasionally a single subject teacher, like PE or music, may teach in an elementary school. Middle schools and alternative programs for high school students may require a multiple subject credential because the teacher of record teaches two or more subjects to the same group of students. If you have a program or school you are interested in, they will be able to tell you which credential will be needed.

University intern credentials include a limited EL authorization (ELAM, ELAS or ELAE) that allows you to have EL students in your class(es)

The Early Completion Option (ECO) is intended to provide individuals who have requisite skills and knowledge an opportunity to challenge the course work portion of a Multiple or Single Subject Intern Program. In lieu of coursework, students must demonstrate pedagogical skills through a performance assessment while in a Commission-approved intern program. To be eligible for enrollment in the Early Completion Program, students must meet the following criteria:

Early Completion Option Eligibility Requirements:

1. Pass the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK):

1. • Elementary (Test code 051) for Multiple Subject candidates or
   • Secondary (Test code 052) for Single Subject candidates

2. Pass CalTPA Cycle 1 on the first attempt. TPA Cycle 1 must be completed, submitted and scored, prior to Enrollment in ECO.
3. Meet with a TCSJ program advisor to review the remaining requirements and sign an ECO Advisement Form. All remaining requirements must be met within the academic year.

Questions about the ECO? Contact IMPACT Director, Michele Badovinac at mbadovinac@sjcoe.net.