SB2042 University Internships

The Internship Program provides an opportunity for qualified Single Subject Credential Program candidates to work as teachers of record while completing their preservice preparation.  Internship positions are offered by the district in consultation with the Single Subject Program. Internships are an alternative to traditional student teaching for completing the culminating field experience in the program.  Since they are full-time teaching positions, internships are limited to students who demonstrate a high degree of readiness for teaching.

An internship is an entry-level paid teaching position in a public secondary school classroom.  The Intern Credential holder is an employee of the school district on a contractual basis and is subject to all district employment policies.  It is the responsibility of the candidate to seek out internship employment opportunities, apply for the position with the district and be hired prior to applying for the internship with the program and for the internship credential with the CTC.  Interns are also program students, subject to program requirements. 

A list of the current districts that have an internship agreement with CSULB is available from the Single Subject Credential Office upon request.

Interns hold considerable responsibility as the classroom teacher of record responsible for designing, developing, and implementing curriculum and instruction for a full load of classes for the length of the school year.  In addition, they are expected to be fully participating members of the school faculty, including service on school committees, supervision of student activities, and attendance at school and district meetings and inservices.  Only candidates who are truly ready for the responsibility and heavy workload should become interns.

Candidates must consult with their Credential Program Advisor and the Single Subject Credential Program as they explore the possibility of doing an internship. 

To be approved for an internship, candidates must:

1. be in good standing in the program and the university;
2. be enrolled in at least one program course each semester and receive a grade of C or better (must have a B or better in EDSS 450);
3. have passed all parts of the CBEST;
4. demonstrate subject matter competence (CSET or coursework);
5. have character clearance (valid Certificate of Clearance or 30-Day Sub Permit);
6. show proof of meeting the U. S. Constitution requirement;
7. have completed a minimum of 120 hours of pre-service training in classroom management and planning, developmentally appropriate teaching practices, subject specific pedagogy and communication skills including reading with 40 of these hours focusing on English Language Learners (completed through EDSS 300 and EDSE 457);
8. demonstrate relevant, successful experience working with students;
9. have an offer of employment from a school district that has a current internship agreement on file with CSULB;
10. have an offer of employment that satisfies the basic requirements for a student teaching placement (within the subject area of the credential the candidate is seeking, teach a minimum of 3 class periods one of which must be a different preparation from the other two);
11. file a complete internship application with the Single Subject Credential Program and with the candidates subject area program;
12. have the approval of the Credential Advisor in their subject area and the approval of the University Coordinator;

The Intern Credential is authorized for two years in the candidate’s teaching field; interns cannot teach out of their field. The legislature's intent in enacting The Teacher Education Internship Act in 1967 is to provide employment opportunities for those students considered ready to enter the classroom by combining educational theory and classroom practice prior to completion of a university teacher professional preparation program, and by providing individualized, intensive support that is standards based and performance driven to maximize the success of intern teachers.

Candidates can become interns when they pass the CBEST, demonstrate subject matter competence, are admitted to the SSCP, have completed the 120 hours of pre-service training, have an offer of an intern teaching position from a participating school district, and are approved by the program.  The Single Subject Credential Program assesses internship applications with a critical eye toward the aptitude and skill development of the potential intern.  Internship applications are rejected for candidates who have not demonstrated readiness for complete responsibility for a full-time teaching position.  Being offered an internship position by a district does not guarantee that an internship will be approved.

Intern applicants must also open a file with the Credential Center (ED1-42). Upon completing all program requirements for advancement to student teaching, interns may use their teaching position as the “student teaching” experience as long as the position fulfills the requirements for the student teaching (teaching three periods within the candidates subject area with one of the 3 periods being a different preparation from the other 2).

 NOTE:  Intern candidates must also submit an application to student teach by the regular deadlines:  October 1 for Spring and March 1 for Fall student teaching.

Intern candidates must qualify for advancement to student teaching and they must also attend a mandatory student teaching application meeting and apply to student teach along with all other program students.  When approved for student teaching, Interns register for 15 units of Intern Student Teaching (EDSS 572 A,B,C) and the 3 unit Student Teaching Seminar (EDSS 473) as scheduled by their program.  A University Supervisor observes the intern periodically during the term, conferences with the intern after site visits, and provides support as needed.  The school provides a Site Support Teacher (Mentor Teacher) who functions as the Intern’s on-site mentor.  Interns are evaluated the same as traditional student teachers both by the University Supervisor and the Mentor Teacher at midterm and at the end of the semester.  In conference, your evaluations are reviewed, discussed, and signed by both you and your evaluator (mentor teacher or university supervisor).  Both the mid-term and final evaluations are done online using www.Taskstream.com.  The performance areas and indicators on the Evaluation Form are closely linked to the California Teaching Performance Expectations. Interns will not be recommended for their preliminary credential unless both the midterm and final evaluations from the university supervisor and mentor teacher are submitted on www.Taskstream.com.

All internship application materials should be submitted to the Single Subject Credential Program Office (ED1-67).  Applications received less than 1 (one) month from the start date of the internship may not be approved in time causing a delay in the start date.  An internship may not be started without an approved application on file with the subject area and the Single Subject Credential office.  To use an internship for student teaching, the complete application is due no later than April 15^th for fall student teaching and November 15^th for spring student teaching.

If you are offered an internship position, immediately contact your subject area advisor and Jessica Vieira (jvieira@csulb.edu) in the Single Subject Program Office to make an appointment to discuss your eligibility and the internship application procedures.