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 credential program that’s right for you, our streamlined, online application process will help you get enrolled and on 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.
Each credential program requires that the student attend a Faculty/Credential Advisement Orientation at which they learn about the university and state requirements needed to earn a credential. After the orientation, students have 30 days to make an appointment with a Credential Advisor to return the program documents given at the orientation.
One more thing – there’s no application fee to take this first step on your journey towards personal, professional, and academic achievement at NU!
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 220,000 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.
At National University, you can pursue any of over a dozen career-focused credential programs to elevate your teaching career:
- Alternative Route to Licensure Elementary
- Alternative Route to Licensure Secondary
- Clear Administrative Services Credential Induction Program
- Clear Education Specialist Teaching Credential
- Early Childhood Special Education Add-on Authorization
- 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
- Reading and Literacy Leadership Specialist Credential
- Special Education Generalist Alternative Route to Licensure
- University Internship Credential Program for Pupil Personnel Services School Counseling (California Only)
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.
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National University generally accepts transfer credits from regionally accredited universities, colleges, and community colleges, subject to certain criteria. Here are some actions you can take to find out whether credits from your current or former school 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 official sealed transcripts.
Want a quick estimate of how many credits will transfer to NU? Use our credit transfer calculator for undergraduate transfer students.
Learn 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 220,000 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.
Many of our students are currently working in a school as full-time teacher with an Emergency Long Term Substitute Permit. These permits are valid for one year and require verification that the candidate is enrolled in a credential program and that they have successfully completed at least nine-quarter units toward their teaching credential. This is verified by completion of a CL-469 by a CCTC-authorized signer.
If you need to obtain a CL-469, please review the CL-469 Request Form and contact a Credential Advisor. They will be able to verify eligibility and facilitate the completion of this form for your employment.
Student teaching requirements and placement policies can be found in the Student Teaching Handbook. This handbook outlines all National University policies and procedures for supportive teaching through the program.
Subject matter competency is how the University and the state verify that a candidate has met the requirements to teach a particular subject area to students. This can be verified by passing the California Subject Exams for Teachers (CSET) in the appropriate subject area in which a candidate is seeking a credential. Students who are seeking a single subject teaching credential (typically for junior high or high school) may also verify subject matter competency by completing a CCTC-approved subject matter equivalency program and providing appropriate documentation. All students are required to verify subject matter competency prior to being placed into student teaching.
Candidates seeking a teaching credential in the areas of Agriculture, Business, Health Science, Home Economics, and Industrial and Technology Education may take the Single Subject Assessment for Teachers Exam (SSAT) to verify subject matter competency.
Candidates who have passed the formerly required Praxis & SSAT examinations (including the MSAT) may have met subject matter competency. Scores are valid five years from the date taken. Please speak with a Credential Advisor for assistance if necessary.
For further information for the CSET and/or SSAT examinations, please visit www.cset.nesinc.com.
Toward the end of the credential program, usually during student teaching, field experiences, or internship courses, candidates need to apply for the teaching credential. To do this, make an appointment with a Credential Advisor. At this appointment, the Credential Advisor will assist you with completing the application, collect the required materials for the CCTC, and send it to the Processing Center at the National University Administrative Office in San Diego.
Credential Technicians will review the application and, if all necessary documents have been verified, will send the application to the CCTC for document granting. At the same time, the Processing Center will send the applicant a Verification Letter of Completion that may be used to obtain employment until the credential is received from the state.
National University offers a number of alternative certification programs, to allow candidates to participate as Interns. These intern programs encourage students to obtain employment as Intern Teachers, where they will be compensated as the “teacher of record” while they simultaneously complete coursework to improve their teaching skills.
Teacher candidates interested in this program must be approved by program faculty to participate in the internship program. They must also obtain fingerprint clearance, verify passage of the CBEST, fulfillment of subject matter competency in the appropriate area, fulfillment of the US Constitution requirement, and verify an offer of employment as an Intern. The candidate is also responsible for completing some pre-service coursework. Once all of these requirements have been met, the candidate will meet with a Credential Advisor to apply for the Intern Credential.
For the Administrative Services Intern program, candidates must also meet with faculty to approve participation in the program. Candidates must also supply a copy of a valid California credential, verification of three years of experience as a credentialed person in schools, two letters of recommendation (one from the superintendent), and verification of passing CBEST scores. Once all of these requirements have been met, the candidate will meet with a Credential Advisor to apply for the Intern 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.
