Point Loma Nazarene University offers specially designed teaching credential programs for teacher candidates seeking to develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions as highly qualified, high performing educators of noble character in the context of an intentionally Christian learning community. PLNU credential graduates are well equipped to successfully address the needs of diverse learners in an era of assessment and accountability. There is a rich blend of research-based learning theory with explicit classroom application supported by expert faculty with extensive K-12 learning community experience.
Credential candidates at PLNU may choose to earn a teaching credential in one or more of the following areas: multiple subject, single subject, or special education (mild-moderate and moderate-severe). PLNU offers approved programs for both the entry level preliminary credential as well as the second level or professional clear credential for all the areas above.
All teaching credential programs are offered on the Mission Valley, Arcadia, Bakersfield and specific Inland Empire locations.
The PLNU credential program is ideal for candidates who are maintaining full-time employment as they seek their preliminary or professional clear credential. Post-B.A. graduates pursuing a teaching career right after college.
PLNU also supports preliminary credential candidates serving with an intern credential in school districts with unfilled needs for credentialed teachers.
Courses are offered year-round with a full schedule of courses during the summer months.
Credential candidates are encouraged to develop a continuous and cohesive course of study from the preliminary credential through the professional clear credential culminating in the completion of a Master of Arts in Education degree to derive the greatest transformation in their development as a teacher of excellence supporting the successful learning of ALL students in their classrooms.
Preliminary Credentials
Multiple Subject
The multiple subject teaching credential program of 37 semester units, enables candidates to teach in self-contained (K-12) general education classrooms in California.
Single Subject
The single subject teaching credential program of 34 semester units, enables candidates to teach in grades 6-12 in specific disciplines in which they have demonstrated subject matter competency through an approved examination or coursework.
Education Specialist (Special Education)
The education specialist credential program of 43-45 units enables candidates to teach special education students. PLNU offers two types of education specialist credentials: mild-moderate and moderate-severe. This credential program is closely aligned with the multiple subject and single subject credential program and can be readily obtained with 14-17 units of additional coursework by candidates already holding one of these general education credentials.
Mild-Moderate
This credential prepares candidates to serve students with mild-moderate disabilities and focuses on assessment, curriculum adaptations, as well as collaboration and consultation with colleagues, support staff, resource agencies and parents supporting the implementation of a student’s individual education plan. The credential candidate also acquires the foundation of knowledge, skills, and dispositions similar to multiple subject and single subject candidates.
Moderate-Severe
This credential prepares candidates to support students with moderate-severe disabilities to access the core curriculum with appropriate accommodations and adaptations as part of a student’s individual education plan. There is an explicit focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to extensively co-teach and collaborate with colleagues, support staff, resource agencies and parents.
Internship Credentials
PLNU has viable partnerships with specific districts, county offices and consortia with unfilled needs for credentialed teachers and offers the intern credential program for qualified multiple subject, single subject, and special education credential candidates to allow them to work as contract teachers with strong support from PLNU expert faculty as they earn their preliminary credential.
Professional Clear Credential
Multiple Subject/Single Subject
Point Loma Nazarene University School of Education offers an approved 2042 Fifth Year Program to teachers needing to clear their preliminary teaching credential and do not have access to a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Induction Program. This program requires 30 post-baccalaureate units including four advanced credential courses taken AFTER the completion of the preliminary credential: Advanced Health, Advanced Technology, Advanced English Learner Strategies, and Advanced Special Populations. Each of these courses is 3 semester units.
Private school teachers, charter school teachers, Ryan credential teachers and teachers from out-of-state actively take coursework in Point Loma’s responsive and customized professional clear credential program.
Professional Clear Credential for Special Education
Point Loma partners closely with specific K-12 public school districts to provide a relevant course of study for special education teachers seeking to clear their preliminary credential in either or both designations: mild-moderate, moderate-severe. Special education teachers participating in BTSA can seamlessly apply their research-based PLNU coursework to deepen and extend their work in induction.