Sample Letter To Confirm College Students Certification Progress: Fill & Download for Free

A College Recommendation Letter is an endorsement of a college applicant that is written to bolster chances for admission. Recommendation letters are brief, formal statements that should highlight positive qualities and explain why the candidate will be successful in college studies.Though friends or family might be able to sing the applicant’s praises, the best letters are usually written by teachers or employers.This letter should provide key details about the relationship between recommender and applicant, and highlight the applicant’s positive attributes. It should include:An explanation of how the recommender came to know the applicantSalient positive qualities possessed by the applicant relevant to success in collegeAnecdotes illustrating the character and competence of the applicantThough it is easy to write a laundry-list of positives, it is better to tell a story. Simply put, try to show rather than tell why the applicant will be a success in higher education.Why Use a College Recommendation Letter?Many colleges require recommendation letters from applicants. But even if recommendations are not a strict necessity, they can help to build the case for admission.These letters matter for what they say, but they also add some default value to an application just for being included. Even if the admissions committee does not carefully read recommendation letters, they are likely to note that they were included with the application, and that the applicant in the kind of person who can drum up recommendations – a positive quality all its own.Who to Select?A teacher, coach, or counselor are ideal choices and should be able to state key facts about the student including being able to describe their personality traits, work habits, and skills. Furthermore, the individual chosen by the student should be someone that they have had a relationship with outside the hours of school such as part of a volunteer program, sports team, or academic club.An advantage to this is that Colleges and Universities understand that, on top of a full curriculum, having other activities take away from schoolwork. Therefore, if it comes down to an application with a generic reference versus another with an authentic reference, the latter will most likely get the nod.A recommendation letter should fill an entire page (usually 400 – 500 words) and contain an introduction, two (2) body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The student should be described in a way that highlights both their academic skills and personal qualities. If the letter is written well, it will provide a complete picture of the candidate which goes beyond their grades and personal resume.IntroductionThe introduction should be anywhere from 2 to 6 sentences that, more or less, describe the relationship with the student.Depending on the person it can be as short as:Example #1Dear Admissions Committee,It is with great satisfaction that I recommend Peter to the University of Oak Lane. I had the joy of teaching and coaching Peter for the last 2 years as part of our school’s math team and I’ve watched him age into an intelligent, mature young man.In this sample introduction the student is being recommended by the head of a noteworthy club (the “math team”) which is a stand-out recommendation.Example #2Dear Admissions Committee,It is my honor to recommend Jake to Faraway College as his high school basketball coach. Over the course of the last 4 years, I have seen him develop into one of our school’s most impressive players and it was his skillset that helped guide our team to a winning season last year. Without his leadership skills and discipline, our team would not have enjoyed its success.Here we have a coach that is introducing the student immediately as a leader and disciplined player. Two (2) key personality traits that a school looks for in a candidate.Paragraph #1The first body paragraph of the letter should provide a positive description of the student’s character, as well as list any achievements and awards that they may have earned. This paragraph will provide the main body of the letter and should therefore be at least 4-6 sentences in length.Example #1Laura has proven herself to be generous, enthusiastic, and helpful both in and out of class. Not only is she one of my top Physics students, but she has also been responsible for organizing student activities, and speaking at assemblies as president of the Student Council. In this capacity, Laura has demonstrated that she is a confident, well-organized, diligent, and capable leader. She has participated as a tutor in the peer-tutoring program. I personally oversee this program and can attest not only to Laura’s ability to explain and instruct, but also to her patience and her deep commitment to helping others. I am also pleased to say that I was able to award Laura with the AAPT Outstanding Student Certificate for her exemplary performance during her two years as a student in my Physics classes.In this example a physics teacher demonstrates the student’s positive character attributes by referencing the student’s personal achievements and commitments.Example #2When I was first introduced to Jordan, I was immediately impressed by his maturity and confidence. Little did I know that five years later I would be impressed further still by this young man’s incredible development. Jordan is known throughout the school for his athletic achievements in track and field, as well as for being a standout performer in the theatre program. As Jordan’s counselor I have been able to track his incredible personal and academic progress, and I can attest that with his winning smile and perseverance there is no mountain that he cannot climb. By staying after school for extra help in mathematics and science, Jordan has managed to improve his academic performance to such a degree that he has been included on the school Honor Roll for two years running.This sample has a school counselor drawing upon their lengthy relationship with the student to describe their personal impression of the student’s character, highlighting the student’s work ethic and exemplary performance in multiple fields.Paragraph #2The second body paragraph is going to expand upon the first one, emphasizing the student’s participation in school and in school groups, citing specific examples of their positive character traits. Try to connect the student’s various interests and aptitudes to paint a coherent and memorable portrait. This paragraph can run from 3-6 sentences, depending on how many examples are given.Example #1Cassandra’s personal character is equally as impressive as her academic achievements. As a public speaker she is able to hold the attention of an entire assembly, and when speaking one-on-one she demonstrates empathetic listening skills, as well as a powerful intellect. Cassandra cares about those around her and is always ready to lend a helping hand or word of encouragement. In her third year, she started a sustainability program along with her peers which now performs an annual school waste audit and gives presentations on waste reduction and practices. With her unwavering enthusiasm and sense of humor, having Cassandra in a classroom is a joy for her teachers and fellow students alike.The above sample uses descriptive language and specific examples to highlight the student’s communication skills, personal interests, and positive personality traits.Example #2As captain of the girls basketball team, Melinda has participated in two state-wide championships and led our school to a victory in a district tournament. This year, she has served as the editor of this year’s school yearbook, proving her ability to delegate work to her assistant editors and organize an efficient workflow. Melinda is not only a born leader and a fastidious worker, she is a kind-hearted and sympathetic individual who strives to make a positive impact on the world around her.This example uses less descriptive language, instead relying more upon examples that pertain to the student’s extracurricular activities, demonstrating their participation, leadership skills, and sense of responsibility.ConclusionThe conclusion paragraph can be anywhere from 2-4 sentences long and its purpose is twofold: to summarize the author’s personal recommendation, and to provide a contact method for further questions.Example #1Peter’s ability to perform competitively under pressure will surely serve him well in a college setting. He is an organized, intelligent, and capable young man who would be an excellent addition to your school. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at (555) 414-4141 or [email protected],Jan TravisBiology TeacherFar Away High SchoolThe above sample has a brief summary of the student’s of positive attributes, as well as two contact methods contained in the paragraph body.Example #2In conclusion, Clayton has my respect and highest recommendation as an exemplary student. He has demonstrated excellence in all that he puts his mind to, whether working on a group project, or designing a technical experiment. Clayton’s keen interest in understanding how things work and natural aptitude for sciences lead me to believe that he will be a valuable addition to your classrooms. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at the email address provided below if you have any questions.Sincerely,Mr. John LewisPhysics TeacherWest Island High SchoolIn this concluding paragraph, the summary is geared specifically towards the college program which the student is applying for. By being specific, the author clearly demonstrates why the student is a suitable applicant for a particular college or university.Sample 1Dear Admissions Committee,I am pleased to be writing this letter of recommendation on behalf of Karen Leyland, a most promising student and wonderful individual. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching Math to Karen during her junior and senior years here at Kirby Prep School. If it were appropriate for teachers to pick favorites, Karen would definitely be one of my top choices. She has a winning attitude full of drive and perseverance that goes unparalleled. She is always attentive in class and has a knack for engaging the whole class in participation, but the attribute that admire the most about Karen is her unwavering kindness.Karen has been at the top of her class in her final year of high school and was always amongst the top 5 in previous years. Her ability to understand complex concepts and solve problems quicker than most people is the main reason why she qualified for the National Merit Scholarship Program. This accomplishment was earned by giving her undivided attention in class and doing extra work outside of the classroom. She’s always able to manage her time superbly and willing to lend a hand to other students struggling with their work. While some are destined to develop leadership skills, Karen seems to possess the intrinsic qualities of a born leader and she’s able to accomplish this without an air of arrogance or superiority towards her peers.Math is Karen’s main academic focus, but she is also thrives in the music department. She plays saxophone in the jazz band and has a deep understanding of the connections between music and mathematics. I have heard her play on multiple occasions and it’s obvious she has an amazing mind for music comprehension and composition. I’m also fortunate enough to play music with Karen when we both can spare the time and my favorite part about it is the change in teacher-student dynamic wherein I get to play the role of the student again. It’s refreshing and confirms my belief that teachers learn just as much from their students as students do from teachers.Any college would be thrilled to accept Karen as she is an outstanding student with so much to offer. Our school was very lucky to have her as a student and I’m sure your faculty will feel the same should she be accepted. Karen embraces constructive criticism and strives to improve in every aspect of her education and beyond. She deserves all the good things that will inevitably come her way in her post-secondary years. I would be glad to answer any further questions you have regarding Karen or Kirby Prep School.Sincerely,Erik PerkinsMath TeacherGeorgiana Bruce Kirby Prep SchoolSample 2Dear Admissions Committee,It is without hesitation that I write to you in regards to Ted’s acceptance into your prestigious institution. I am a counselor at Crescent Valley High School and have had the pleasure of working with Ted throughout his high school career. I’ve watched him develop into a well-rounded and mature young man, who will accomplish many great things in his lifetime. He is a talented and hard-working individual who finds joy in helping others. Ted has amazing people skills and can make anyone feel comfortable around him.In Ted’s first year of high school, he came to me in need of some guidance. He had gone through some heavy family problems and it was causing his school work to suffer. I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to help Ted through these rough times. He is a compassionate, caring, and self-efacing person, with an unshakable positive outlook on life. Once he had worked out his own issues, all he wanted to do was take his experiences and help other students with similar problems. He began volunteering at North View Elementary School, talking with kids and even tutoring in multiple subjects. I’ve never come across anyone who wasn’t immediately enamored by Ted’s amicable demeanor.Throughout his high school career, Ted has excelled in every field of his education and also taken on multiple extra curricular activities. In his senior year, Ted was president of the Student Council, captain of the basketball team, and an honor student. He has become proficient at juggling multiple work loads. He also continued his counselling at the elementary school throughout these years. Even still, he wanted to make a bigger difference. He decided to present his outlook on life by holding a seminar in the gymnasium. Most of the school attended to listen to Ted as he spoke eloquently on overcoming your fears and insecurities and transforming them into positive thinking. It was a captivating 20 minute speech that led to an uproarious standing ovation. Someone managed to film the presentation and the video has thousands of views on YouTube.I am very pleased that Ted approached me to write this letter as I am so impressed by his achievements and his enormous potential. He is a charming young man who is able to see the good in everyone. If Ted is accepted into your Counseling Psychology Program, there’s no doubt in my mind he will excel in this field and go on to change many lives for the better. The confidence and charisma that he has developed over his high school career is phenomenal and I look forward to seeing that continue in college. Please contact me if you wish to further discuss Ted’s acceptance into your college.Regards,William MackenzieGuidance CounselorCrescent Valley High SchoolSample 3September 1, 2017Dear Admissions Committee,I am submitting this letter in support of Jim’s application for admission to the Class of 2022 at Michigan State University.I have been Jim’s supervisor at Bellevue Coffee since he was hired in April 2014. In this time, he has consistently shown himself to be a steadfast, professional, and pleasant employee. Though this is his first job, he has demonstrated professional instincts and a bulletproof work ethic since day one.A short anecdote to illustrate Jim’s character:Last Sunday, our early shift barista called out sick. While I, as store manager, would normally cover such an expected absence, I was otherwise occupied with a family medical matter. I reached out to Jim, and he enthusiastically volunteered to take this early shift, even though it meant a 16-hour day for him.Though Jim routinely works 20 hours per week, I understand that he has only improved his grades since starting this job. Being a first-hand witness to his quick-thinking, judgement, and ethic in the workplace, it is hardly surprising to hear that he again made the dean’s list last spring.I have no doubt that Jim will be a successful member of the class of 2022 and offer my wholehearted endorsement of him.Sincerely,XXXXXX XXXXX

The tragic story of Hans HellmannThe pioneering quantum chemist was forced to leave Nazi Germany because his wife was Jewish. He was executed in the Soviet Union because he was German.by Andrew GrantIn 1933, quantum chemist Hans Hellmann was one of the hundreds of German professors who lost their posts when all non-Aryans were deemed unfit for civil service. A year later, he fled Nazi Germany with his family to seek refuge and employment in the USSR, where he received a prestigious appointment from the state and became a Soviet citizen.This portrait of Hans Hellmann, presented to the Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry in Moscow in 1999, was painted by Hellmann’s niece Tatjana Liwschitz. Credit: Eugen SchwarzThen the Soviet government began targeting foreigners as part of Joseph Stalin’s ideological purges. Within three years of his first forced migration, Hellmann had once again become an enemy in his home country. “I am really afraid to engage in too much correspondence with other countries,” he wrote to his mother from Moscow in late 1937. “In fact, the wall between us gets higher every day.” A few months after Hellmann wrote that letter, Soviet secret police broke into his apartment, arrested him for espionage, and took him to Moscow’s Taganka prison. He was executed in May 1938 at the age of 34.Hellmann was one of hundreds of thousands of victims of the Soviet Union’s Great Purge, yet his story stands out because of his scientific achievements and the tragic path that led to his death. He was a pioneering physical chemist who used quantum mechanics to examine the forces at work in generating and destroying chemical bonds. Like other displaced German physicists, he had to make a new home after fleeing Nazi Germany—but his status as a foreigner sealed his fate in Stalin’s purge. And if not for the determined efforts of his son, Hellmann’s story might have never been fully known.Early life and careerHans Gustav Adolf Hellmann was born on 14 October 1903 in the small harbor town of Wilhelmshaven in northwestern Germany. By all accounts he was a thrill seeker, says his niece Petra Netter, who is now a retired psychologist at the University of Giessen. At least once he suffered a severe injury in a motorbike accident.When it was time for college, Hellmann enrolled at the Institute of Technology in Stuttgart to pursue electrical engineering. Within a year, he had switched his focus to physics. It was an exciting time to study physical science in Germany. Hellmann’s mentors included crystallographer Paul Peter Ewald as well as Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner, who supervised his master’s project on preparing radioactive samples. Lectures by Walther Kossel on the electronic theory of valency gave Hellmann a taste of the recent work on various types of bonding.Hellmann’s doctoral thesis adviser, the experimental physicist Erich Regener, proved an especially important figure in his life. Along with guiding his student through research on the decomposition of atmospheric ozone, Regener introduced Hellmann to the woman who became his wife. Viktoria Bernstein was the daughter of Jewish parents in Ukraine and the niece of Regener’s wife; she had been adopted into the Regener household following the deaths of her parents. In the very busy year of 1929, Hellmann earned his doctorate, began an assistantship in Hanover, married Bernstein, and had a son, Hans Jr, who was born on Hellmann’s 26th birthday. His work and his family life were taking off.Influenced by Kossel’s lectures and surrounded by a talented group of chemists in Hanover, Hellmann turned his attention to the field that would soon be called quantum chemistry. The topic appealed to him because it provided the opportunity to use the tools of quantum mechanics to decode the physical nature of chemical bonding.In the spring and summer of 1933, Hellmann published in Zeitschrift für Physik two papers that clarified the factors at work in the formation of covalent bonds. His molecular virial theorem enables the determination of both the potential and the kinetic energy of a molecule, which is necessary to understand the energy needed for bonding. He then demonstrated that to calculate the force between atoms in a molecule, performing a relatively simple classical calculation is equivalent to undertaking a complex quantum one. Other researchers independently came up with a similar idea around the same time, but only two names would stick—it’s now called the Hellmann–Feynman theorem.Hellmann’s body of work before age 30 should have led to a prime position in the German university system. But it was 1933, and newly appointed chancellor Adolf Hitler was asserting his control over Germany. A law passed in June disqualified Hellmann from the civil service because of his wife’s Jewish heritage. It didn’t help that Hellmann was a vocal leftist; Netter reports that her uncle discussed socialist ideas whenever he visited her parents’ house. On Christmas Eve, Hellmann received a letter that officially dismissed him from the German civil service, effective 31 March 1934.Anticipating the arrival of that letter, Hellmann had already been looking for jobs outside Germany. He likely received multiple offers, including one for a position in the US. He accepted a post at the Karpov Institute of Physical Chemistry in Moscow. The choice made sense at the time, considering his wife’s birthplace, his support of socialism, and an impressive salary. But the decision would ultimately cost him his life.Success and tragedy in the USSRIn May 1934 Hellmann joined Karpov as head of the theory group in a department dedicated to the structure of matter. Just after his arrival, Hellmann devised another technique for simplifying convoluted chemistry. He considered atoms of two elements in the same group of the periodic table, such as lithium and potassium. It is far more difficult to quantum-mechanically determine the chemical properties of potassium than of lithium, because the complexity of the calculation scales with the number of total electrons. But Hellmann simplified the process by consolidating the effects of the atoms’ nucleus and inner electrons into a parameter called a pseudopotential. After accounting for each atom’s pseudopotential, a quantum chemist need only focus on the atoms’ valence electrons.Although he had only limited fluency in Russian, Hellmann thrived in his new position, and his superiors noticed. He received the Soviet equivalent of a full professorship in 1935, a considerable raise in 1936, and the title of leading scientist in 1937. At the urging of government officials, Hellmann became a Soviet citizen.Hellmann’s position also gave him the chance to achieve a long-standing goal: publishing a quantum chemistry textbook. He had written most of it in Germany but couldn’t get it published after Hitler’s rise to power. Hellmann revised the manuscript with the help of colleagues and students at Karpov. His Russian-language textbook was published in 1937; remarkably, a publisher in Leipzig agreed to distribute a German version. “It was very progressive for its time,” says Roald Hoffmann, a Cornell theoretical chemist and Nobel laureate who owns an original copy of the 1937 German printing. Though the book sold poorly in Germany, it would serve as an important reminder of Hellmann’s achievements during the many decades that his fate remained a mystery.As Hellmann’s career was soaring, Stalin was beginning his purge of “anti-Soviet” elements within the USSR. Foreigners—even those who had fled persecution in other nations—were regarded as having questionable loyalty. Despite his success, or perhaps partly because of the jealousy his success may have wrought, Hellmann seemed to recognize that he was under suspicion. In one letter to relatives, he expressed a desire to leave Karpov for another institution that was considered more tolerant. In another letter he described how foreign-born people in the Soviet Union “would vanish.” He clearly knew that he was in danger.Late on the night of 9 March 1938, Soviet secret police broke into the family apartment and dragged Hellmann away. Hans Jr, who was 8 years old at the time, says that he still remembers men in dark coats waking him up and searching for material to use as evidence against his father. A few days later, Viktoria went to Karpov in an unsuccessful effort to collect her husband’s salary. She spotted a notice on the wall denouncing her husband, which was signed by two of his colleagues. One of them took over Hellmann’s research group after the arrest.Hellmann’s wife and son wouldn’t definitively learn of his fate for another 51 years.Getting the story outKicked out of their Karpov-provided apartment, Viktoria and Hans Jr scraped together a living near Moscow as war broke out. But even Viktoria’s Slavic background couldn’t protect her from the Soviets’ aggressive campaign to quash dissension. She was arrested in 1941 and charged with conspiring to translate for invading German soldiers—soldiers who would have thrown her into a concentration camp because of her Jewish heritage.For the second time, Hans Jr saw a parent hauled away. Police took the 11-year-old to an orphanage, but he ran away to his aunt’s house in Moscow. For the next half century, he would go by the name of Genadij Minchin. Gradually he pieced together information about his family. In 1956 he got to see his mother, who despite being “rehabilitated” was forced to live near the camp in Kazakhstan where she had been imprisoned. Two years later, through a Red Cross initiative, he received contact information for the family of his father’s sister, who lived in Hamburg, but he was not permitted to leave the USSR to meet them. During the final months of the Soviet Union’s existence, in 1991, his forced confinement in that country finally came to an end. He emigrated to Germany with his wife and one of his sons, changed his name back to Hans Hellmann Jr, and obtained German citizenship.Still, he didn’t know the full story of his father’s life. In 1989 he and his mother finally received the death certificate that confirmed their fears—Hans Hellmann Sr had been executed on 29 May 1938. The turning point in Hans Jr’s quest came in 1992, when a history professor put him in touch with Sabine Arnold, a historian and journalist who was based in Moscow. With Arnold’s help, Hans Jr wrote a request to receive copies of a file on his father that had been compiled by the People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD), the precursor to the KGB. The file included a confession letter, handwritten but not by Hellmann, that authorities had almost certainly forced him to sign. “His hand was trembling when he wrote his signature,” Arnold says. Another document in the file admitted that the NKVD had no proof that Hellmann had committed the crime of espionage of which he was accused.Over the next several years, Hans Jr collaborated with Arnold, chemist Eugen Schwarz, and others to write a comprehensive personal and scientific biography of his father. Schwarz, from the University of Siegen, had been fascinated by Hellmann since reading his papers as a graduate student in the 1960s. The biography, along with a reissued edition of Hellmann’s textbook, has helped put a story behind a name that often appears, without context, next to Feynman’s. “He truly was an outstanding scientist,” says Nobel laureate Hoffmann. Beyond his limited but impressive research, Hellmann’s legacy lies in his rare ability to simplify, whether in proposing pseudopotentials or explaining them to a broad audience in a textbook.Viktoria lived into her 90s in Russia. Hans Jr, now 88, lives in Siegen. Every two years he takes an hour-long ride to the University of Marburg, where the theoretical chemistry group hosts a Hans Hellmann Award Lecture given by a leading European quantum chemist. He plans to make the trip again for the next lecture in December 2019.Source The tragic story of Hans Hellmann

How to Apply | Single Subject Credential Program"What the educator does in teaching is make it possible for the students to become themselves" - Paulo FrierePotential candidate: We are excited for you to take this next step in your educational journey and apply to enroll in our teacher preparation program! The SJSU Single Subject Credential Program is known for effectively preparing transformative educators at the secondary education level in the San Jose region and beyond. See PayScale ranks SJSU education majors #7 in the nation for salary potential.Application UpdatesSummer/Fall 2021 applicantsWe understand that COVID-19 is impacting potential applicants’ ability to complete some of our normal admission requirements. We will update you on all requirements through this web page as we have further information. It is important to note that even if a requirement is waived or deferred, it strengthens your application to complete or show progress toward completing that requirement.Updates as of 9/8/2020 to the Pre-Professional Hours and Certificate of Clearance requirements are detailed below.Updates as of 9/18/2020 to the CBEST and CSET requirements are detailed below.Click here for a one page summary of current requirements. Further information about each requirement is detailed on this "How to Apply" webpage.For questions about current requirements, please contact our Single Subject Credential Program Coordinator Paula Oakes at [email protected] or contact the Teacher Education Department at [email protected]. We are happy to work with you on admissions.Overview of Eligibility and Application RequirementsTo ensure the quality of our program and compliance with California standards, qualified candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree with at least a 2.75 grade point average. GPA for admission to the university is calculated by the last 60 semester units or by the last 90 quarter units taken or your cumulative GPA, whichever is higher.Note: International coursework may require additional steps of evaluation. See Graduate admission for more details (include hyperlink) (This requirement also reflects that during the program, you must maintain a B average or better to remain in good standing, and you will need a B average to be able to apply for your credential at the end of the program.).You will also need to submit the following materials as part of your application:An official, sealed transcript from each college you have attendedVerification of meeting the Basic Skills requirement (CBEST or equivalent) (Covid Flexibility--see below)Completed Certificate of Clearance1-page resumeVerification of your completed 45 hours of Pre-Professional ExperienceVerification of CSET subject matter competency or Teacher Ed Approved Subject Matter Preparation Program Form (Covid Flexibility--see below)Two letters of recommendation1-page cover letter (optional, unless you are applying for the Yearlong Residency Program, Critical Bilingual Authorization Pathway (CBAP), or Internship Program)Tips:Our Deadlines webpage will help you identify when you need to submit your application materials to SJSU via CalState Apply and to our Teacher Education Department.Admissions to this program occur on a semi-rolling basis, so it is in your best interest to apply as soon as you are prepared to.You should begin to schedule your CBEST and CSET exams as soon as you know you will be applying to this program. It can take time to prepare, receive your results, and retake if necessary.See below for required steps prior to application review. Note: each step may have a number of components.Step 1 | Attend an Applicant Information Session & Meet with Your Subject Area AdvisorRSVP and attend an Applicant Information Session. These sessions provide an overview of the program, address questions and introduce you to advisors and potential future classmates.Contact your Subject Area Advisor to schedule an appointment to complete the following requirements. The process and availability for each advisor will vary.Subject Area Advisor Meeting:Evaluation of Subject Matter Competency (SMC)You will have your transcripts evaluated to determine which CSET exams you need to pass, if any. If you do not have SMC via coursework, you have the option of either taking the additional required coursework or earning passing scores on the required CSET exams in your subject area.Your advisor will forward your SMC Report to the Department of Teacher Education. This required document must be signed by your Subject Area Advisor in order to be admitted into the credential program.Writing taskYou will complete a timed writing task that addresses a specific prompt. This writing sample is reviewed by Teacher Education as part of your application materials. If you need to retake the writing task, you will be notified by email. The writing section of the CBEST does not fulfill this requirement.InterviewThe interview assesses your dispositions toward the teaching profession and also screens for English oral language proficiency. Be prepared to discuss relevant experience, qualities, and interest in education. If your English oral language proficiency is not at the mid-level advanced as defined by the ACTFL you may be called in for further screening.NOTE: The English Education Department interviews are held only once each semester: in Fall, the first Friday in November; in Spring, the second Friday of March.Step 2 | Create Your SJSU Application via CalState ApplyTip: As you go through the application process, keep copies of everything you submit for your entrance application. You will need your documents when you apply for your preliminary credential after completing the program.Create your applicationGo to the Cal State Apply website, select the term you are applying for at the top of the page, and create your account.When searching for Graduate programs at San Jose State University, only enter San Jose in the search field (Do not enter SJSU, San Jose State, or San Jose State University ...just enter San Jose. Otherwise our programs will not populate.).If you're unable to find the semester you desire to apply for, and you know the deadline hasn't passed, go to the CalState Apply home page. Then scroll down and click on the "Select a Term to Apply For" drop-down menu. You should see all of the available semesters in that drop-down menu. Choose your desired semester and click Apply. That will take you to your application. If you click on the "Submit Application" tab at the top of your application, it will confirm which semester you're applying for.For any questions about the "Personal Information," “Academic History," and "Supporting Information" sections and the "Home" tab of the "Program Materials" section of the Cal State Apply application portal, please contact Graduate Admissions by email (preferred) at [email protected] or by phone at 408-283-7500.For any questions regarding the "Program Materials" section (with the exception of the "Home" tab) of the CalState Apply application portal, please read the Program Materials section below or contact us at [email protected] your transcriptsOfficial transcripts are required and must be sent to Graduate Admissions.If your university offers official electronic transcripts, we will also accept this method of delivery. If your university requires an email address to send an official, electronic transcript, the recipient address is: [email protected] mailed transcripts must be sealed and unopened to be accepted as official documents.Transcripts sent by mail should be sent to:Graduate Admissions and Program EvaluationsSan Jose State UniversityOne Washington SquareSan Jose, CA 95192-0017SJSU students do not have to submit SJSU transcripts with your application.International Applicants: Please also visit the SJSU Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations’ International Steps to Admission webpage for further instructions. If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please contact SJSU Graduate Admissions.Step 3 | Upload Your Program Materials to Your CalState Apply Application for the SJSU Teacher Education DepartmentIn CalState Apply Under "Program Materials" submit the following:Note: Keep your copies! Application documents are also required at the end of your successful completion of the program in order to apply for your preliminary credential.Verification of meeting the Basic Skills requirementCOVID Flexibility for Spring/Summer/Fall 2021 Applicants: We stongly recommend completing this requirement by the point of admission, but you do have the option to defer meeting this requirement until you apply for your Preliminary Credential after completing the program. You will not be able to apply for your Preliminary Credential without this requirement. If you have not completely fulfilled this requirement already, please fill out the COVID-19 Exceptions Form (read/follow instructions on form).There are several ways you can meet the basic skills requirement. View this PDF on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) website for a full list of possible options.If you plan to satisfy the Basic Skills requirement by an option other than the CBEST, please contact the SJSU Lurie College of Education Credential Services to have your documentation verified. Once Credential Services has reviewed the documentation, please upload the verified document(s) through the CalState Apply application portal.Visit our Test Preparation Resources webpage for several free resources to prepare for passing the CBEST exam.Upload a PDF copy of your verification to your CalState Apply applicationCertificate of Clearance (COC)There are 3 steps to obtaining your Certificate of Clearance (CoC). Do not wait until the last minute to request this item, as it can take weeks for the CTC to issue.(COC) Step 1 | Live Scan ServiceFor Live Scan Service locations, visit Live Scan Locations. Live Scan Services may also be available at the SJSU Police Department. Call (408) 924-2172.Print three copies of the Request for Live Scan Service form [form 41-LS] and take it with you to your Live Scan appointment.(COC) Step 2 | Certificate of Clearance ApplicationAfter you’ve completed your Live Scan, complete and submit the CTC Online Application for the Certificate of Clearance (CoC). The $50 fee for a CoC application is payable by credit card only.When requirements for issuance of the CoC are completed an email will be sent informing the individual that the document has been granted and can be viewed in 48 hours on the CTC website.(COC) Step 3 | Upload a PDF of the granted Certificate of Clearance to your Cal State Apply application or submit the COVID Exceptions Form if you are unable to complete the Live Scan due to COVID-19.Note: An emergency sub permit may be submitted in lieu of the Certificate of Clearance, as long as you ensure the department always has a current, valid copy.District-Level Fingerprint Clearance: In addition to the required Certificate of Clearance, some school districts also require a district-level clearance prior to student teaching. Candidates should arrange an appointment with the participating district’s Human Resources Department at least 10 working days before the start of the field placement student-teaching experience to ensure district-level fingerprint clearance is completed. Candidates may not begin their field placement without having both CCTC and, if required, district-level clearance.Your ResumePrepare a one-page resume that details your college-level academic, employment, and volunteer experiences. For each position you held, highlight the duties you performed and any accomplishments you achieved. Uploa Editd your resume as a PDF.Verification of your Pre-Professional Work ExperienceCOVID Flexibility for Spring 2021 Applicants: This requirement has been temporarily waived by the CSU Office of the Chancellor. However, we ask you to submit any hours that you have completed. If you have zero hours, upload the COVID Exceptions Form.--Any explanation of your work with an interest in work with middle school, high school or other youth is helpful to the review process.Complete a minimum of 45 observation hours of "Pre-Professional Experience" and upload a completed/signed Pre Professional Experience form [pdf] to your Cal State Apply application.Pre-Professional Experience in a public middle or high school during the regular school day schedule is a requirement for admission. You may contact any California public elementary school school and let them know that you are applying to the SJSU Single Subject Credential Program and need to complete your 45 observation hours of Pre-Professional Experience. You should observe classes in the subject area you want your credential in. Twenty of the 45 observation hours may be from other experience with youth, such as: a summer school class at a California public middle school or high school (preferably in the subject area you are seeking a credential in), tutoring, camp counselor position, private school experience, etc.You may also document coursework that included work with secondary youth.If you need assistance with finding a placement to complete these hours, please contact the SJSU Lurie College of Education Student Success Center.Subject Matter Competency (CSETs or Teacher Prep Program)COVID Flexibility for Spring/Summer/Fall 2021 Applicants: If you are meeting this requirement via CSETs, we stongly recommend completing this requirement by the point of admission, but you do have the option to defer meeting this requirement until you apply for your Preliminary Credential after completing the program. You will not be able to apply for your Preliminary Credential without this requirement. If you have not completely fulfilled this requirement already, please fill out the COVID-19 Exceptions Form (read/follow instructions on form).CSET Subject Tests | PDF verifications of your passing scores for all of your CSET subtests must be submitted at the time of application, even if you have already submitted them to your subject area advisor. The list of CSET subtests is available on the CTC website. Visit our Test Preparation Resources webpage for several free resources to prepare for passing various CSET exams.Your Subject Area Advisor will identify the method of demonstration. While the advisor will send a copy to teacher education, you will need a copy of your approved teacher waiver program or CSETS. SJSU Lurie College of Education Credential Services can validate waiver programs from other universities.Two Letters of RecommendationTips: Be sure to use an early submission deadline for your letters of recommendation. You will want them to be available as soon as your file is reviewed so the the earlier the deadline you use, the better. In your message to your recommenders, include the name of the program you are applying for at San Jose State University - Single Subject Teaching Program - as well as the name of the Single Subject Credential Program Coordinator - Paula Oakes.This step is located in the “Recommendations” tab of the “Program Materials” section of your online application.Two (2) letters of recommendation are needed for the department application. These letters must be from people in a supervisory role who have known you in a professional or educational setting. Letters must speak to your ability to work with people, experience with youth, your work ethic, your intellectual capabilities, or other characteristics pertinent to teaching.You can submit your application after requesting recommendations. Once you submit your Cal State Apply application, however, you cannot go back and request more recommendations. Recommendations which are requested from within CalStateApply will be connected to your application once they come in. Additional or alternate letters can be emailed as a Word or PDF attachment directly to the Teacher Education Department to [email protected]. Recommendation letters are an essential component of your application.Cover LetterIf you are applying to the Bilingual Authorization Pathway (BAP), Internship Program, or the Yearlong Residency Program, (which begins during the summer term), please write a 1-page, single spaced cover letter that outlines your teaching and related experiences and skills that you believe make you a good candidate. Upload a PDF copy to your Cal State Apply application. Other applicants are welcome to submit a cover letter but are not required to.Next Step | Admissions DecisionCongratulations - if you completed the above steps, you have successfully applied for our SJSU Single Subject Credential Program! After your application has been reviewed by the SJSU Office of Graduate Admissions, which may take a few weeks, and the Department of Teacher Education, you will receive an email regarding your application status and any next steps. Some candidates are asked in for interviews with Teacher Education depending on their application status or program. You can check the status of your Cal State Apply application by logging into your MySJSU account.