Credential and Certificate Programs

In addition to its degree-based programs, the School of Education offers a credential program and three certificate programs that can be added to an existing preliminary or clear credential. These credential and certificate programs range from 12-13 total units and provide opportunity for further specialization and a link between theory and practice.

Professional Clear Teaching Credential: Multiple Subject or Single Subject

For: Teachers Working in Private or Charter Schools

Point Loma Nazarene University offers the Professional Clear Credential program to private and charter school teachers who need to complete requirements for the Ryan or 2042 Professional Clear Credential.

A PLNU Credential Analyst reviews the transcripts and credential renewal requirements for each teacher participating in the Partnership Program.

The 2042 Professional Clear Credential requires 30 post-baccalaureate units approved by PLNU, including four 3 unit advanced courses to be taken AFTER completion of the preliminary credential.

Program Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Multiple and Single Subject (Clear Credential) program will be able to:

Equip

1. Work collaboratively with school site personnel and university faculty to gain a deepened understanding and competence of effective pedagogy and ability to apply academic instruction that includes universal access and equity for all students.
2. Maintain competencies in knowledge, skills, and attitudes that demonstrate the ability to utilize the teaching model of Plan/Teach/Reflect/Apply in order to maximize student success.
3. Develop attitudes and skills to effectively communicate with all students – special needs, diverse cultural groups, and second language learners.

Transform

1. Demonstrate how to identify, clarify, and address barriers to student learning while partnering with community resources to achieve academic goals.
2. Cultivate on-going self-evaluation and life-long learning habits that promote dispositions of noble character.

Empower

1. Honor diversity while using pedagogical skill to implement principles of equity and empowerment.
2. Commit to ongoing professional development, a lifestyle of integrity and fairness and the use of high ethical and professional values in the field with administrators, colleagues, parents, and students.

Program Eligibility for the Clear Teaching Credential: Multiple Subject or Single Subject

See the degree to which the credential program is attached.

Graduation Requirements

See the degree to which the credential program is attached.

COURSE	TITLE	UNITS
GED 641	School Communities in a Pluralistic Society	3
GED 642	Teaching Strategies for English Learners	3
GED 673	Reflective Coaching Seminar	3
GED 677	Teaching Strategies for Special Populations	3
	TOTAL Professional Clear Advanced Coursework	1

If 2042 credential candidates have earned 30 post-baccalaureate units, they need only the 12 advanced course units and can complete those courses in two semesters.

If candidates have not earned 30 post-baccalaureate units, they will meet with an advisor to set up an appropriate program plan.

Sample 30 units program: Graduate Education 616, 628, 639, 641, 642, 670, 672, 677, 683, 689.

The needs of Ryan Credential Candidates are addressed separately if there are course requirements beyond those offered above.

Those interested in seeking a Master of Arts in Education in Teaching and Learning in addition to the Professional Clear Credential may apply their coursework to the M.A. degree. This degree requires 36 units of 12 courses of graduate level work. Candidates usually take six units per semester including summers.

Certificate Programs

Child Welfare and Attendance Certificate (CWA)

The Child Welfare and Attendance authorization is a specialization for MA/PPS candidates currently enrolled in a course of study leading to a PPS credential and those who already hold a PPS credential or social workers and psychologists who desire to add the CWA certification.

Program Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Child Welfare and Attendance program will be able to:

Equip

1. Maintain competencies in knowledge and skills of a child welfare and attendance specialist regarding the history, philosophy, and laws related to K-12 students in the California public education system.

Transform

1. Promote the child welfare and attendance program through modeling servant leadership that focuses on positive outcomes for diverse school communities in the belief that all students can learn and succeed.

Empower

1. Engage in on-going professional self-evaluation and personal self-reflection using the dispositions.
2. Assess student needs routinely and use technology to conduct, analyze, and evaluate research data and communicate results to all school stakeholders.

Program Eligibility for the Child Welfare and Attendance Certificate

See the degree to which the certificate program is attached.

Graduation Requirements

See the degree to which the certificate program is attached.

School Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists and current PPS candidates who wish to earn certification for the Child Welfare and Attendance credential, must meet all the requirements for the PPS as a prerequisite for the following course descriptions:

Child Welfare and Attendance Courses

COURSE	TITLE	UNITS
GED 645	The Law and the Professional Role of the Child Welfare and Attendance Counselor	3
GED 646	Child Welfare and Attendance Program: Leadership, Management, Collaboration and Community/Parent Partnerships	3
GED 647	School Culture and Addressing Barriers to Student Achievement	3
GED 688	Field Experience - Child Welfare and Attendance (150 hours)	3

Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development Certificate (CLAD)

The purpose of this certificate is to prepare teachers to effectively deliver English language development and specifically designed instruction for academic content to limited English proficient students from all languages. Students must complete specialized coursework for the CLAD Certificate (Education 601, Graduate Education 641, 642, and 668).

Program Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development (CLAD) certificate program will be able to:

Equip

1. Build on knowledge, skills, experiences, and strategies for teaching a diverse student population. Foster an understanding of cultural concepts and perspectives when providing equitable learning environments, delivery of comprehensive, specialized instruction for English learners, and students with diverse learning needs.
2. Maintain competencies in knowledge, skills, and practices that develop and advocate implementation of effective instruction to meet the needs of a diverse student population while meeting legal requirements.
3. Model professional and ethical standards and dispositions.

Transform

1. Build on knowledge, skills, experiences, and strategies acquired during preliminary preparation for teaching a diverse student population.

Empower

1. Build on knowledge, skills, applications, and dispositions acquired to serve a diverse school community.

Program Eligibility for the Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development Certificate

See the degree to which the certificate program is attached.

Graduation Requirements

See the degree to which the certificate program is attached.

COURSE	TITLE	UNITS
EDU 601	Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations	3
GED 641	School Communities in a Pluralistic Society	3
GED 642	Teaching Strategies for English Learners (BTSA Standard 19)	3
GED 668	Bilingual Education and Specially Designed Academic Instruction	3

Reading Certificate

The pivotal goal of all the courses in the Reading Certificate program is to contribute to the improved reading achievement of California’s children by influencing the professional growth of their teachers. Upon successful completion of all coursework, candidates may apply to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) for the Reading Certificate. Candidates must have completed three years of successful K-12 teaching at the time of submission to CCTC for this certificate. Please contact the credential analyst at the regional center for further information.

Program Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Reading Certificate program will be able to:

Equip: Maintain competencies in knowledge and skills by demonstration of the following:

1. Utilize research-based instructional practices, intervention models and strategies in reading and language arts to benefit all students.
2. Utilize effective instructional practices by the application of the teaching model of "plan, teach, reflect, and apply" to maximize student success and to effectively communicate with all students – special needs, diverse cultural groups, and second language learners.

Transform: Promote the success of all students by demonstration of the following:

1. Collect and analyze data to advocate for all students.
2. Cultivate on-going self-evaluation and life-long learning habits that promote PLNU dispositions of noble character.

Empower: Promote the success of all students by demonstration of the following:

1. Research and identify research-based strategies to help struggling readers.
2. Reflect on the research based strategies that were applied during intervention and how they had implications for the candidate's instructional practices.

Program Eligibility for the Reading Certificate

See the degree to which the certificate program is attached.

Graduation Requirements

See the degree to which the certificate is attached.

Candidates complete the following coursework:

COURSE	TITLE	UNITS
GED 628	Using Technology to Support Student Learning (BTSA Standard 16)	2
GED 692	Standards, Assessment and Instruction: Comprehending and Composing Written Language	3
GED 693	Research-based Intervention: Models and Strategies	3
GED 694	Standards, Assessment and Instruction: Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development	3
GED 698	Special Studies in Education: Literacy Field Studies (Reading Certificate Level)	1

 Course Descriptions