Credential Programs
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Apply to an NU Credential Program – We’ll Be with You Every Step of the Way!
If you’re a teacher committed to keeping your knowledge and skills current with today’s expectations and standards of excellence, earning a career-focused credential can be an excellent way to move to the head of the class amongst your peers.
At many institutions of higher education, the application and admission processes can be daunting, but at National University, we believe in a streamlined, stress-free process that helps you dot all the I’s, cross all the T’s, and be ready to continue the ever-evolving journey in the field of teaching.
If at any point during the application process you have questions or need help, just contact our admissions team at (855) 355-6288 or via email at admissions@nu.edu. Here’s what we need to do to get started.
STEP 1: Complete Your Online Application
Once you’ve determined the right credential program for you, our streamlined online application process will help you enroll and make your way to achieving your goals. Because NU accepts and reviews applications year-round, you can start your first course as soon as next month, depending on your program of study.
Upon matriculation, you’ll receive an Urgent Program Requirement Message that welcomes you to your program and gives you access to the National University Credential Course Compass. The Credential Program Course Compasses guide you through key milestones in your program from enrollment to credential recommendation.
STEP 2: Submit Your Transcripts and Other Required Documents
Admission to NU’s credential programs is based on valid submission of documentation, including a student’s academic record at other institutions, test scores, interviews, professional experience, motivation, and educational objectives.
You can send your official transcripts from other schools you attended by using our transcript request form. Please provide all transcripts promptly to avoid admission delays. Your application is valid for one year.
STEP 3: Discuss Your Plans With Your NU Enrollment Advisor
At NU, we support you every step of the way with an ecosystem of resources to help you succeed. Whether you’re a working parent or busy professional, you will never feel like you’re going it alone.
This team effort begins with a conversation you’ll have with your NU Enrollment Advisor, during which we’ll start by discussing your current situation and what you hope to achieve by earning your credential. Your Advisor will then look for ways NU can provide financial, academic, social and emotional, family and community, and career support to help ensure your success. We believe in your potential, and we want you to succeed like over 240,000 alumni already have.
Have a question now? Just ask!
STEP 4: Determine the Best Way to Pay for Your Education
Education is an investment in yourself and your future. Having a career-enhancing credential on your resume can increase your earning potential, improve your job prospects, and set you up for a more secure future.
At National University, we strive to make higher education accessible to all adult learners, and we are committed to helping you find the resources you need to pay for college and achieve your goals. To help reduce the cost of education, we accept all federally funded financial aid programs, including grants, loans, and scholarships. We also award tuition scholarships and grants to those who qualify.
Most college students pay for their education with grants, scholarships, loans, or a combination of the three. It can seem like a daunting process, but at NU you won’t have to go it alone. Between your admissions advisor and our experienced team of financial aid experts, we’ll review the results of your student aid report and help determine the best options available to you.
First things first. Visit studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to fill out the FAFSA application for federal student aid, including federal student loans. Then, contact our financial aid team at financialaid@nu.edu or (800) 628-8647, ext. 8500.
STEP 5: Start Earning Your Teaching Credential!
Because your life’s already in progress and time is a precious commodity, National University created an innovative way to help you fit continuing education into your current work and family responsibilities. We offer four-week classes, so you can focus on one subject at a time, one month at a time, and finish your program faster.
Best of all, we’ve simplified and streamlined our application process so you can get enrolled in your chosen credential program right away. And because we accept and review applications year-round, you can start learning as soon as next month, depending on your program of study and location of choice.
Ready to get started? Let’s take your current credentials and take them to the next level!
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying to college is a big decision, and you’ll surely have questions. If yours isn’t answered here, just give us a call at (855) 355-6288 or email us at admissions@nu.edu.
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At National University, you can pursue any of over a dozen career-focused credential programs to elevate your teaching career:
- Clear Administrative Services Credential Induction Program
- Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
- Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Internship Option (California)
- Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential
- Inspired Teaching and Learning with a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential and Internship Option (California)
- Preliminary Education Specialist Authorization Teaching Credential
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential School Counseling
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential School Psychology (PPSP) Program
National University accepts and reviews applications year-round, so you can start learning as soon as next month, depending on your program of study and location of choice. Plus, we offer four-week courses, so you can focus on one subject at a time, one month at a time, and finish your degree faster.
National University generally accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions, subject to certain criteria. Here are some actions you can take to find out whether your credits will transfer:
- Apply to National University today. If you’re ready to make a major change in your education, applying to a new school is the most important step you can take. Once your application is in our system, we can help you determine which, if any, credits are transferable
- Contact NU Admissions for personal, one-on-one support from an enrollment advisor
- Contact your school about having your transcripts sent to National University. The Registrar’s Office should be able to assist by providing us with your sealed official transcripts
Want to get a quick estimate of how many of your credits will transfer? Use our credit transfer calculator for undergraduate transfer students
Find out how to transfer college credits to National University.
Yes! In honor of our students, and in celebration of our 50th anniversary, National University has invested $50 million in new student scholarships. To learn more about numerous scholarships and grants funded by National University, how to apply, and how much you might be able to save on your teaching credential, click here.
We’re a veteran-founded, San Diego-based nonprofit. Since 1971, our mission has been to provide accessible, achievable higher education to adult learners. Today, we educate students from across the U.S. and around the globe, with over 240,000 alumni worldwide.
The value of a college education is undeniable. Think of an industry-relevant teaching credential as an investment in your future.
At National University, we strive to make higher education accessible and achievable by helping you find financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, that will help defer or delay tuition costs and related expenses. Our financial aid representatives are happy to help you. Please call 1-800-NAT-UNIV or e-mail us for assistance.
Many credential programs require candidates to meet a US Constitution requirement. There are different options for fulfilling this requirement. Candidates may do this by verifying completion of one of the following:
- The candidate successfully completed a college or university level course that covered the principles and provisions of the US Constitution with a grade of “C” or better. (Examples include U.S. History 1600-1887 or American Government.)
- The candidates passed an approve US Constitution examination offered by some County Office of Educations, college, or university.
- The candidate successfully completes National University’s Training and Development US Constitution course and exam. Please contact Training and Development if you are interested in this course.
Candidates should speak with a Credential Advisor for assistance in verifying completion of this requirement or for assistance.
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Traditional student teaching coursework signifies a minimum of 600 instructional hours, which equates to 16-18 weeks of unpaid, full-time hours. Students must complete all student teaching requirements 90 days before any student teaching placement. Placements take place during fall and spring.
To be placed in a student teaching position, candidates must also submit their Student Teaching Placement Request at least 90 days before the term they would like to student teach. Student teaching placement requests get submitted via the digital form below as soon as a candidate knows their preferred student teaching timeframe.
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You must meet subject matter competency before your methods coursework by:
1) Completion of a subject matter program approved by the commission
2) Passage of a subject matter examination (the California Subject Examination for Teachers or CSET)
3) Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions that address each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential under Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation
4) Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following, as applicable:
- For single-subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates
- For multiple-subject credentials, a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas under subdivision (b) of Section 44282
- For education specialist credentials, either a major in one of the subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates or a liberal studies or other major that includes coursework in the content areas under subdivision (b) of Section 44282
5) Through a combination of the methods described in clauses (1), (2), and (3), in whole or in part, has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential under Section 44282 for multiple- and single-subject credentials, or under Section 44265.
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Once you’ve completed all credential requirements, submit your preliminary credential recommendation request. Initiate this process by contacting your academic and financial advisors via the advisor@nu.edu email address. A credential recommendation is a three-step process.
Step 1 — Your academic and financial advisors will review your student file to ensure you meet all requirements. They will then send you the Request for Credential Recommendation form to complete and return.
Step 2 – When your academic and financial advisors receive the Request for Credential Recommendation form from you, they will send your application file to the credential processing team. The credential processing team will review your file a final time and then complete your recommendation for the preliminary credential on the CTC website.
Step 3 – Once your preliminary credential recommendation has been made via the CTC website, you’ll receive a notification in your NU student email with instructions on how to pay for your newly recommended document. You must log onto the CTC website to pay for your document after receiving a recommendation notification. If you don’t, the CTC won’t grant your preliminary credential. After 90 days of nonpayment, the CTC system will purge your recommendation, and you’ll need to begin an additional recommendation process.
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University intern teaching credentials go to individuals who complete the required intern preservice coursework and have received an offer for a full-time position as a teacher of record with a school. University internships provide participants with classroom experience (clinical practice) while they complete coursework requirements for a preliminary credential.
Students who wish to complete clinical practice under a university internship must secure their intern position within a school district. That position must include a one-year paid contract to teach full-time while completing the program.
- You MAY NOT be employed with a district as an Intern without FIRST being granted a university internship credential by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
- Undergraduate-level students do not meet the requirements for a CTC-issued university internship credential.
Credential Programs:
Program Disclosure
Successful completion and attainment of National University degrees do not lead to automatic or immediate licensure, employment, or certification in any state/country. The University cannot guarantee that any professional organization or business will accept a graduate’s application to sit for any certification, licensure, or related exam for the purpose of professional certification.
Program availability varies by state. Many disciplines, professions, and jobs require disclosure of an individual’s criminal history, and a variety of states require background checks to apply to, or be eligible for, certain certificates, registrations, and licenses. Existence of a criminal history may also subject an individual to denial of an initial application for a certificate, registration, or license and/or result in the revocation or suspension of an existing certificate, registration, or license. Requirements can vary by state, occupation, and/or licensing authority.
NU graduates will be subject to additional requirements in a program, certification/licensure, employment, and state-by-state basis that can include one or more of the following items: internships, practicum experience, additional coursework, exams, tests, drug testing, earning an additional degree, and/or other training/education requirements.
All prospective students are advised to review employment, certification, and/or licensure requirements in their state, and to contact the certification/licensing body of the state and/or country where they intend to obtain certification/licensure to verify that these courses/programs qualify in that state/country, prior to enrolling. Prospective students are also advised to regularly review the state’s/country’s policies and procedures relating to certification/licensure, as those policies are subject to change.
*Positions may require additional experience, training, and other factors beyond successfully completing this degree program. Depending on where you reside, many positions may also require state licensure, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all licensure requirements are met. We encourage you to also review program-specific requirements. Any data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and does not guarantee that completion of any degree program will achieve the underlying occupation or commensurate salary.
