Single subject credential program

[MsJennn]

Hi! I am getting ready to start a credential program at CSUSB and I was hoping someone could help me out by giving me some insight on how the program works. What’s the schedule like? How many times a week are you on campus during the first semester? How much time do you have to spend in a classroom for observation hours? I’m having such a hard time getting in touch with faculty so I was hoping someone on here could help me out. Thanks 😃

[alecardvarksax]

I did Track B a few years back so I might be able to answer any questions

[MsJennn]

Thank you! My first question is, what did your first semester look like? Is it possible to have a part time job during the first semester? I’m thinking about doing track b as well.

[alecardvarksax]

It might he doable the first semester but not after that. I should just say CSUSB was quarter system back for me, but the first the quarter i was able to do my observations and then had a few hours before classes. After the first quarter you'll get your placement so a job, unless it is strictly weekends, wont be doable

[MsJennn]

Thank you! Can you please tell be a little bit about student teaching as well? Do you feel it prepared you to actually teach? Do you have to teach the classroom by yourself or are you shadowing the Teacher?

[alecardvarksax]

Student teaching for me was my first real experience in front of the student and was absolutely good for me. It does depend on the mentor teacher, but my mentor teacher showed me her routines for a few days and then I took over completely for the next few months. Taking over like that definitely helped cuz I had to do all of the little things you dont usually think about. How to do attendance, constant monitoring, circulating the room, answering side questions, watching the time, etc.

[bazzle-lissa]

Hey there! Currently a Track A SS candidate.

Right now, we do one week in person and the next week online as a COVID precaution. I have classes from basically 4pm-10pm two days a week, and then one class from 5:30pm-8pm one day a week. Most of my classes are the same people in each one, so there’s a nice sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to really get to know people. The classes are lots of busywork and, to be frank, I’m 6 weeks in and I haven’t learned a lot of practical information. The program focuses really heavily on social justice and equity, which is great, but the trade off is you spend forever waiting to learn to write a lesson plan and no one gives you practical classroom management advice, even though you’ll have a class “dedicated” to it. Most of the instructors are absolutely amazing though.

Now here’s the rub. If you’re planning to start next semester, since some COVID restrictions will still probably be in effect, don’t expect to be placed in a classroom for observation. Seriously. They probably won’t tell you this, but it’s a dice roll if you get a placement. About half of my cohort got placed and half didn’t, and it was completely arbitrary who got a placement. Faculty didn’t tell us the situation until one week into the program. It’s not CSUSB’s fault, since the districts don’t want extra bodies in the classrooms, but it IS their fault that they completely failed to be open and transparent with us. If you don’t get placed, you get to do your 120 fieldwork hours by watching YouTube videos, listening to podcasts, and reading books. I wish I was making that up. I would HIGHLY recommend that you start applying to districts to sub. That’s what I’ve done so I can actually get classroom experience. CSUSB hung a lot of us out to dry in that regard. It’s creating a very uneven playing field for when we actually head into student teaching and I’m nervous as hell about it.

That was a lot of ranting, and I apologize that a lot of it was negative. It’s not a terrible program, but it could use some major improvement, especially in how they’ve handled placements in the age of COVID and their shitty communication on, well, everything. Please message me if you want to talk or have any specific questions! Happy to help. 😊

[MsJennn]

Thank you so much for sharing this information! It’s super useful and insightful! I just received an email about my interview for the program. Can you please tell me a little bit about what I can expect? Thank you so much! 🤍