Every Teacher Needs a Credential
To be hired in a teaching position, every educator must have a teaching credential. There are two options for you to be hired.
You have a K-12 single-subject credential in your art form: dance, music, theatre, or visual art. (At this time, if you would like to teach media arts, please pursue a visual art credential.)
You have another type of credential (multiple-subject or single-subject in a different area) and can/will add a content area or supplemental subject matter authorization that allows you to teach your art form.
I Do Not Have a Credential. What Do I Do?
You must obtain a credential through a teacher preparation program. A bachelor's degree is required, though some universities offer a blended program where you earn a bachelor's degree and credential at the same time. If you already have a bachelor's degree, complete these additional requirements:
Meet the basic skills requirement.
OPTION 1: Take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). SDCOE has a free online, asynchronous CBEST prep class (read more here).
OPTION 2: Submit transcripts showing passage of courses in reading, writing, and mathematics. Courses must be at least 3 semester units taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, and passed with a grade of B or better.
OPTION 3: Qualifying scores on the SAT or ACT may also be accepted.
Show subject matter competence. Prove capability in the arts area you intend to teach by having a degree/major in the subject or by passing the CSET in the subject.
Complete a course or pass a university exam on the U.S. Constitution.
What Teacher Preparation Programs Offer an Arts Credential?
Several local universities offer arts credential options as part of their teacher preparation program. Application deadlines and internship eligibility vary. See this spreadsheet for more information.
An internship is an alternative to student teaching. Sometimes school districts still have open positions after exhausting their pool of credentialed applicants, and work with university credential programs to place a qualified credential student as teacher of record (paid) in lieu of student teaching. You must be in a credential program that allows interns, but there is no guarantee that internships will be offered. An intern credential is temporary and continuation in your credential program is required.
I Have a Out-of-State Credential. What Do I Do?
We recommend that you work closely with and submit your documentation to the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Credential Services. Click here for more information, or watch this video.
First, collect these documents: transcripts (bachelor's degree and any teacher preparation program units), a photocopy of your out-of-state teaching credential, proof of basic skills, and any optional documents (e.g., verification of years of teaching, performance evaluations, National Board Certification).
Transcripts must be from a regionally accredited college or university and must have your degree posted. Electronic transcripts must be sent directly from your university to sdcred@sdcoe.net. If your university does not offer electronic transcripts, you may have them send hard copies to: SDCOE, 6401 Linda Vista Road, Credentials Room 104, San Diego, CA 92111.
Then, work with SDCOE to complete other California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) documents:
Live Scan Fingerprinting. Submit an online request for a fingerprinting appointment at the San Diego County Office of Education. Bring with you two copies of the completed 41-LS form (for the state of California), and if desired, the Clearinghouse Fingerprint form (good for most San Diego school districts, so you don't have to be printed for each district).
Completed Temporary County Certificate (TCC) form. Complete and submit the Temporary County Certificate Form. Omit your social security number; SDCOE will contact you via phone to ask for your social security number. (A social security number is a required field for the CTC application, but for security purposes, do not send it on any electronic forms.)
Certificate of Clearance. If you are in California, wait until you have been Live Scanned, then go to the CTC website and use the blue "Educator Login" button to create a profile and complete the online application. If you are not in California, follow the directions on this CTC webpage.
Application for Credential (form 41-4)
Application Fee. $100 money order or cashier's check payable to CTC ($50 if you received a Certificate of Clearance credit).
Please note: In the first five years of teaching in California, you will be required to complete an induction program, and unless your state's credential provides an English learner authorization, you may need to complete additional coursework or exams for this authorization.
I Have a Non-Arts Credential. What Do I Need to Add the Arts?
If you earned your credential prior to 2022, an English credential may be used to teach theatre and a physical education credential may be used to teach dance.
If your credential is newer or in any other subject area, choose from options below.
OPTION 1: Add a supplemental subject matter authorization (for teaching grades K-9)
You may add a supplemental authorization in dance, music, theatre, or visual art if you have a collegiate major in the subject area OR official transcripts showing the completion of either 20 semester units (or 10 upper-division semester units) of college course work in the subject, passed with a grade of "C" or higher.
To request, send your application (form 41-4), official transcripts verifying the degree or coursework, and the processing fee.
For more information, see the CTC's supplemental authorization webpages for multiple-subject or single-subject credentials.
OPTION 2: Add a content area (for teaching K-12)
You may add a content area (a full authorization, essentially a full credential) in dance, music, theatre, or visual art if you show subject matter competency via a collegiate major in the subject or completion of the CSET.
A pedagogy course in the arts subject is required. Check with the university credential programs above to see if they offer an arts subject-specific pedagogy course.
To request, send your application (form 41-4), supporting documentation (such as official transcripts or test scores), and the processing fee.
For more information, see the CTC's adding a content area webpage.
**You may also find this document or this video from SDOCE helpful.
I'm Ready! How Do I Apply to SDUSD?
IF YOU HAVE A MULTIPLE-SUBJECT CREDENTIAL:
Apply to the SDUSD Multiple-Subject Teacher Pool on Springboard.
IF YOU HAVE A SINGLE-SUBJECT CREDENTIAL (dance, music, theatre, visual art):
Apply to the SDUSD Single-Subject Teacher Pool on Springboard.
These are eligibility pools, meaning the deadline is rolling and your application will be processed as received. As you are cleared by Human Resources, your information will be collected in a database and you will be contacted by schools/sites as positions become available.
You may also apply if you do not yet have a credential, but are currently enrolled in a teacher preparation/credential program.
I'm Confused... Where Do I Start?
If you do not have a credential: Fulfill the prerequisites and enroll in a credential program.
Complete your bachelor's degree.
Take the CBEST if you cannot show coursework that meets the basic skills requirement.
Take the CSET if you did not major in your art form.
Choose and enroll in a teacher preparation program that offers your arts credential.
Apply to San Diego Unified.
If you have an out-of-state credential: Transfer your credential.
Make an appointment with Credential Services at the SDCOE.
Request an official transcript of your bachelor's degree be sent to the SDCOE.
Collect your documents (your teaching credential, proof of basic skills, etc.).
Get fingerprinted.
Complete the forms and pay the fees.
Apply to San Diego Unified.
If you have a valid California credential in another area: Add an authorization or content area in the arts.
Apply to San Diego Unified. You may be eligible to teach temporarily with your current credential.
Take the CSET if you did not major in your art form.
Take a pedagogy class (if adding a content area).
Complete the forms, attach the documentation, and pay the fees.
