PK-3 ECE Credential Program �
Department of Elementary Education
Graduate College of Education
San Francisco State University
Mina Kim, Ph.D.
minakim@sfsu.edu
Professor
Department of Elementary Education
Traditional Post-baccalaureate Program
Summer Start One Year Program
Why pursue your PK-3 ECE Credential at SF State?
At the Graduate College of Education, we will promote preparing skilled, transformative educators deeply committed to social justice and equity for all students, particularly those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Deadline for Summer/Fall 2026
April 1, 2026
Student Teaching
| Early Field Experience Hours | Fall Semester Student Teaching | Spring Semester Student Teaching |
Field Work Hours |
Required 30 hours of EFE at PK/TK and/or K-3 experience when applying |
6 hours/day, 2-3 days/week for 16 weeks of PK/TK and/or K-3
|
6 hours/day, 3-4 days/week for 16 weeks of PK/TK and/or K-3
|
OPTIONAL: Clinical Practice Equivalency Reducing Your PK/TK Student Teaching Hours
Equivalency Option 1: Qualifying Work Experience.
Admitted candidates who meet A and B can apply for 200 hours of PK/TK clinical practice equivalence.
(A) Either hold a valid Child Development Permit (Teacher level or higher) OR verify employment as a lead teacher in a Head Start program or a childcare and development center serving preschool-aged children.
And
(B) Verify six (6) years or more of full-time* satisfactory** teaching experience as a lead teacher in a public or private center-based childcare and development program serving preschool-aged children that is either a license-exempt childcare and development center pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 1596.792(o) or holds a license as defined in section 101152(l)(1), Article 1, Chapter 1, Division 12, of Title 22.
*Full-time experience is defined as classroom-based teaching for at least 3 hours per day, for at least 75% of the school year. Part time experience, or experience serving as anything other than a lead teacher, is not acceptable.
**Satisfactory teaching experience will be verified by the public or private center-based childcare and development center, by completing the SFSU PK-3 Equivalency Form.
To Apply:
OPTIONAL: Clinical Practice Equivalency Reducing Your PK/TK Student Teaching Hours
Equivalency Option 2: Qualifying Practicum/Supervised Clinical Practice Courses: Admitted candidates who have completed a practicum course at a regionally accredited institution of higher education can apply for clinical practice equivalency equal to the number of hours served in the practicum course, up to 200 hours, provided all conditions are met:
A. The practicum course is credit bearing and degree applicable towards a Teacher Level or higher level Child Development Permit or a degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Early Childhood Studies, or Human Development.
B. The practicum hours completed were in a preschool or early childhood setting serving 3–4 year-old children and included clinical practice experience that was supervised at minimum by a trained faculty member/instructor who provided observation and feedback to the candidate.
C. The candidate earned a C or better on the practicum course (or “Pass” if deemed by the institution to be equivalent to a grade of “C” or higher).
To Apply:
Tuition
PK3 ECE Credential Only
Summer - $2,805.00 (6 units)
Fall- $4,203.00 (15 units)
Spring - $4,203.00 (12 units)
-------------------------------- total $11,211.00 (33 units)
Adding MA in ECE (30 units program)
12 units from the Credential
+ 18 more units for MA
2-3 more semesters to complete the MA
$5,610.00 (2 semesters) or $8,415 (3 semesters)
CONTINUING ITEMS (23)
Ongoing Topics (5)�Information Regarding the Student Teacher Stipend Program (STSP)�Assembly Bill 121 establishes the Student Teacher Stipend Program (STSP), which—commencing in the 2026-27 academic year—would provide funding to local educational agencies to provide stipends of $10,000 to be paid to student teachers completing their clinical practice.
The bill also establishes a collaboration between the Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Kern County Superintendent of Schools to conduct a multi-media campaign and outreach, and to develop a grants management system that will streamline the application and administration process for Commission-administered grant programs, including the Student Teacher Stipend Program, for use no later than April 1, 2026. As the collaboration progresses, the Commission shall update the field regarding the STSP.
In preparation for this grant program, the Commission has established a specific email box for future questions: STSP@ctc.ca.gov.
Resources PK-3 ECE Credential Program
Q&A
Applying to a Credential Program
For Summer/Fall 2026
1. Attend an Information Session
2. HOW TO APPLY – Wait: Cal State Apply will be available after Feb. 27th
3. PK-3 ECE Application Requirements
Subject Matter Competency (SMC)
No CSET, but either bachelor’s degree or 24 units
Note: Applicants who have completed 18 - 23 ECE/CD units but meet all other application requirements may be considered for conditional admission. These candidates will need to complete the 24 units prior to entering Spring semester fieldwork.
Two Letters of Recommendation
● Must be from persons in a supervisory role: People who have seen you work with children or can attest to your professional attributes
○ Letters written by friends or relatives are not accepted
● In CalState Apply, you provide contact information for your recommenders; they will receive an email with submission instructions.
● Request your letters early:
○ Applying for the PK-3 ECE Credential Program at San Francisco State University
○ Letters can be addressed to the “PK-3 ECE Credential Admission Committee”
○ Letters may speak to your ability to work with children, work with colleagues, your work ethic, your intellectual capabilities, or other characteristics pertinent to teaching.
○ Letterhead is highly recommended
Certificate of Clearance (COC)