School of Education

The Early Completion Option permits qualified interns to complete the Single Subject Credential Program on an accelerated schedule. 

CTC Explanation of Early Completion Option

To qualify for the Early Completion Option, interns must:

1. Have completed all necessary requirements to earn an intern credential, including admissions criteria:
   -- Bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university
   -- Basic skills requirement
   -- Subject matter competence
   -- US Constitution (via exam or coursework)
   -- Professional fitness (met through the Certificate of Clearance)
2. Demonstrate technology competence.
3. Be successfully recommended for an intern credential after completing the required 120 hours of pre-service instruction.
4. Submit the following items by February 1 of the academic year that they are enrolled:
   -- A letter detailing their intention to complete the Early Completion Option;
   -- A written recommendation for the Early Completion Option from the single subject program coordinator.
5. Passage of the National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge (APK): Elementary (Test code 051) for Multiple Subjects candidates or Secondary (Test code 052) for Single Subject candidates (See Terms and Definitions). An intern who elects to use the early completion option must first pass the required APK in order to qualify to take the teaching performance assessment required for the ECO, as specified in Education Code section 44468.
6. Pass the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) necessary to satisfy the fieldwork component required for the teacher intern program.  Candidates must pass the TPA within the first year of the program, on the first attempt in order to be eligible for the ECO. Candidates must remain enrolled in the program coursework and participate in the supervised clinical placement until the TPA is passed. If a candidate does not pass any section of the TPA on the first attempt, the candidate no longer eligible to participate in the ECO program and must complete the full teacher preparation program.

If all these conditions are met, interns will be recommended for their Single Subject Credential without having to complete any additional coursework or fieldwork requirements.

Candidates planning to apply for this option, need to contact the Secondary Education Credential Program Leader for review of their application.