Professional Clear Credential

For holders of a Ryan credential, in order to obtain a Professional Clear Credential, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires completion of a fifth year of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. The fifth year must consist of at least 30 semester credits and include approved courses in health education (covering drugs, alcohol, tobacco and nutrition (EDUC 546 ), mainstreaming (EDUC 571 ), classroom applications of computers (EDUC 551 ) and valid certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which covers adults, children and infants.

1. A fifth year of study will consist of the following types of coursework:
   1. Courses in a teacher preparation program taken after conferral of the bachelor’s degree.
   2. Courses in a master’s degree program.
   3. Courses leading to advanced credentials, such as school administration.
   4. Courses used for additional subject matter preparation e.g., programs, supplemental authorizations. A Chapman Preliminary Credential meets the residence requirement.
2. To receive Chapman University’s recommendation for the Professional Clear Credential, courses must meet the following guidelines:
   1. Be taken after the bachelor’s degree or have been given post-baccalaureate status from the institution where it was taken (must be indicated on an official transcript from that institution).
   2. Be upper-division or graduate level except for a maximum of six lower-division credits. Lower-division credits may only be composed of the health education course and/or courses used to meet the requirements for a supplemental authorization.
   3. One of the following grade requirements must be met:
      1. A grade of “B-” or higher.
      2. Pass (based on pass/no pass scale).
      3. Credit (based on credit/no credit scale).
   4. A candidate must have completed a minimum of nine semester credits at Chapman University. A Chapman Preliminary Credential meets the residency requirement.
   5. At the time of application for the Professional Clear Credential, the approved courses in health education, mainstreaming and classroom application of computers must not be more than seven years old.
   6. Courses must be appropriate to the candidate’s credential area or educational goals.
   7. Students who were enrolled at Chapman prior to January 1, 1998 and completed a CCAC approved mainstreaming course prior to that date may use that course toward the completion of the Professional Clear Credential only. The course will not be accepted toward the M.A. in Special Education or any Special Education Credential at Chapman. Students are required to sign a statement indicating acknowledgment of this restriction. Students who first enrolled in coursework after January 1, 1998 are required to complete EDUC 571  for credential recommendation.
   8. Some “extension” credit may be accepted. Such coursework will not be accepted for a master’s degree.

Students who obtained a Preliminary Credential under 2042 legislation, if employed in a California public school district, must obtain the Professional Clear Credential through their district’s BTSA/induction program.

Students not employed in a California public school district may obtain a Professional Clear Credential through a program offered at a county office of education or a university that operates such a program.