Teacher Preparation Program

The Teacher Preparation Program at Cypress College is a comprehensive student services program that provides academic support, specialized counseling, and outreach to students who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching. The primary purpose of the program is to provide Cypress College students with a clearinghouse of information and resources to help them become teachers. The program also provides early fieldwork experience in an educational setting. The program offers special classes called Teacher Preparation Classes. These classes are designated with an apple in the Class Schedule. These classes are designed to enhance the future teachers’ understanding by providing a variety of different experiences in the classroom related to the field of Education.

Information

For specific advisement at Cypress College, contact the Teacher Preparation Counselor:
Velia Lawson
(714) 484-7015
Student Center, 2nd floor, Counseling

For all other inquiries, contact:
Nina DeMarkey, Dean
Social Sciences Division
Humanities Room 238
(714) 484-7185

The Cypress Teacher Preparation website is: http://CypressCollege.edu/academics/specialprograms/TeacherPrep.

NOTE: Students with a criminal record are strongly recommended to contact the Teacher Preparation office at (714) 484-7185 to find out their eligibility in the program.

NOTE: Students interested in Teaching should use the program code to indicate their area of interest for the Liberal Arts degree.

California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST): The CBEST verifies proficiency in reading, mathematics, and writing. Passing the CBEST is a requirement for obtaining a teaching credential issued by the California Commission of Teacher Credentialing and is required prior to student teaching. It is strongly recommended that students seeking a teaching credential take the CBEST after completing category A and B4 in the CSU/GE Requirement or Area 1 and Area 2 in the IGETC/GE Requirements. CBEST review classes are offered periodically throughout the year. Check the Class Schedule for specific dates. Students should pass the CBEST before leaving Cypress College. For more information about the CBEST exam, log on to www.cbest.nesinc.com.

California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): All applicants for an elementary teaching credential must prove they are knowledgeable and competent in the subject area(s) they will be licensed to teach. For the middle or high school teacher, subject matter competence focuses on a particular subject such as English or Math. The secondary teaching credential does not require the CSET as long as the student is in an “approved program” and majors in the same subject of their credential. For the elementary teacher, subject matter competence must be demonstrated for all subjects relevant to the elementary classroom through the CSET exam. The exam is divided into subtests (most exams have three subtests) and the examinee has five hours to complete it. Passing the CSET is required for those students who pursue the multiple subject credential. For further information, visit the CSET website at: www.cset.nesinc.com.

CSULB (ITEP) Elementary Program and CSUF (STEP) Elementary Program: The Teacher Preparation Program curriculum fulfills all the lower division requirements for the CSULB (ITEP) and CSUF (STEP) Integrated Teacher Education Programs. Upon completion of the integrated program, a student will meet requirements for both a B.A. in Liberal Studies and preliminary multiple subject teaching credential for teaching grades K through 8th, without having to enroll in a year-long credential program. Applications and further information are available in the Teacher Preparation Program Office in the Division of Social Sciences, Humanities, Room 238.

Education Specialist Credential (Special Education): The person holding this credential may work with elementary, middle school, or high school students. An Education Specialist Credential offers the following specializations: Mild to Moderate Disabilities, Moderate to Severe Disabilities, Visual Impairments, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Physical and Health Impairments, and Early Childhood Special Education. A student will need to earn a Bachelor’s degree, pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), complete a teaching credentialing program, pass a U.S. Constitution class, pass the California Subject Examination (CSET), pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA), and obtain a Character and Identification Clearance.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential: A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach in a “self-contained” classroom, meaning that one teacher teaches all subjects to the same students. A student will earn a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Liberal Studies or Child Development (but not exclusively), pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), complete a multiple subject teacher credential program, pass a U.S. Constitution class, pass the California Subject Examination (CSET), pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA), and obtain a Character and Identification Clearance. All of the California State Universities now have a statewide agreement that they will all use the same 45 units of common core for all Integrated Teacher Preparation Programs in the State of California.

Single Subject Teaching Credential: A Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach a particular subject at the middle school or high school level. Examples of specific Single Subjects are: Art, English, Health Science, Home Economics, Industrial and Technology Education, Language (other than English), Math, Music, Physical Education, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geosciences, Physics, and Social Science. A student will need to earn a Bachelor’s degree (preferably in the subject taught), pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), complete a teaching credential program, pass a U.S. Constitution class, pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA), and obtain a Character and Identification Clearance.

Teaching Credential Preparation: There are several types of credentials offered by the state of California that students can receive. Students interested in teaching at the elementary school level will be obtaining a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. The students interested in teaching at the middle school or high school level will earn a Single Subject Teaching Credential. Most California Teaching Credentials take five years to complete on a full-time basis. The required lower division courses may be completed at Cypress College. For more information, log on to the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing website at: www.ctc.ca.gov.

Education Specialist Credential (Special Education): The person holding this credential may work with elementary, middle school, or high school students. An Education Specialist Credential offers the following specializations: Mild to Moderate Disabilities, Moderate to Severe Disabilities, Visual Impairments, Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, Physical and Health Impairments, and Early Childhood Special Education. A student will need to earn a Bachelor’s degree, pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST), complete a teaching credentialing program, pass a U.S. Constitution class, pass the California Subject Examination (CSET), pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA), and obtain a Character and Identification Clearance.