If anyone out there is seeing this and thinking about doing this program, I would say only do it as an absolute last resort. The advisors are incredibly ill-prepared and disengaged. The online work is out of date, they don't tell you how to turn it in or where, and the places where you are meant to turn things in (on THEIR website) don't match the work assigned in the online workbook that THEY wrote, so sometimes the teachers will say, 'you didn't do the work correctly' because there are two separate sets of instructions. The 'modules' are based on different areas of learning so you'll do say, a science lesson unit, and then a math lesson unit, record yourself, and turn in some reflections and lesson plans, but the only direction they really give you in terms of these lessons is, make sure its inclusive and that there's something fun in it like art. No one ever talks to you about the new unit/module and what the focus or goal is. You meet with a cohort of other students to try and figure it out together, and I was usually the only one who could help anyone. Many of my classmates were older and didn't know how to use the website, and one of them told me he never turned anything in and he was still passing (I turned in every single assignment). There are never any recommendations for scripted curriculum or other useful advise teachers would need to know. You will also never learn anything about classroom management other than, don't use a red pen to correct because it will make students feel bad, and don't use a clip chart because that will embarrass them. The way you have to be mentored and do hours is very strict according to the California teachers commission, and they never tell you how it works, contact your mentor teacher, or make it clear exactly what you are supposed to be doing. They don't check that you have your proper emergency credential or explain the difference between a university inter, an emergency credential, a STIP, a PIP, etc and they don't help you apply for it. They give you a handbook, but my pdf never worked correctly, and no one ever responded to my emails when I asked questions I should have been able to read in the handbook that I couldn't open. They also have a contract with apple where they force you to buy a refurbished ipad and dont ever provide you with the receipt for it (I asked). They don't help place you in a school, they don't help with the caltpa, and they don't understand the requirements from the CTC, and they don't know which exams aren't required anymore so they will direct you to take a $400 exam you don't need. You are just paying them for the paperwork, and they will do little to nothing to support you understanding what exactly you are supposed to do. The orientation is 2 hours and it's just a feel good share out about your feelings, and then someone from apple telling you about the apps they offer for teachers that you can use. So, if you really want to teach, but you can't afford to take a year off work to be an intern, you gotta do what you gotta do, but this university is lazy and it's not even through Fresno state, they just rent an office there. Avoid at all costs, in the end its 10k that you wasted for a very difficult career. read more

Applying here was a massive embarrassing mistake. The term had started but nobody had been placed for student teaching. I had even found the program a district near me open to having me placed there, but nothing ever came of it since my advisor kept putting off contacting them. Advisors are difficult to reach, and are more focused on their other postions (this is a side hustle for them). The director recorded himself for 10 minutes in a makeshift mancave through a desktop camera as our "orientation" two days before the start of the term. You're given online modules and a pacing guide and then expected to teach yourself through broken links, outdated curriculum, and cohort meetings you're also told to set up on your own time. I legitimately don't know if any lectures actually take place with any professors at any point. I totally understand being independent and self-driven, but the lack of leadership is beyond apparent. You start off already behind on assignments, readings, and can only catch up by ignoring most of the materials and sources you're thrown in the modules. I did not go through with the program. I dropped out the second day of the term and very fortunately got my full refund. The appeal of a fully online program is obvious, but CalState Teach DO NOT have the resources or infrastructure to fulfill what they claim to give their students. Inquire and clear any doubts you have before paying them anything; trust your gut.. read more

I recently graduated from Cal State TEACH, and I am so glad I chose Cal State TEACH for my multiple subjects teaching credential program. There are no classes to attend, so you complete the assignments on your own time, when it's convenient for you. There's no mandatory logging onto online classes at certain times, like other online programs. It is all self-paced individual and group assignments. How flexible and convenient is that! Cal State TEACH is a great value - completing the entire program cost only $10,990. Compare that to combination credential and Master's degree programs at private universities, which charge over $50,000. As a substitute teacher, I spoke to six different principals before choosing a credential program, and none of them said they would hire a beginning teacher with a Master's over a beginning teacher without a Master's. They all said they look for other qualities than a Master's while hiring new teachers. So, do not pay that insane amount of money! Another great part about Cal State TEACH is you receive 45 semester units, unlike most credential programs which only give you 30 units. This means you will start out at a higher level on a school district's pay scale than most other programs! Cal State TEACH is well-known and respected. I was able to obtain student teaching placement at my school of choice partly because the principal was already aware of Cal State TEACH and was impressed by the quality of the program. Cal State TEACH is a part of Fresno State. It's the statewide CSU online multiple subjects teaching credential program administered by Fresno State. That's a good thing considering Fresno State's US News & World Report's rankings as a tier one national university and a top nationwide public university! Cal State TEACH recently held an online, statewide job fair where I was able to make many job contacts. Some of them are already emailing me asking me to apply. All in all, Cal State TEACH is not perfect, but it can't be beat for the convenience, the price, the value, and the job contacts I was able to make. I recommend Cal State TEACH to anyone. I recommend you complete all of your CSET exams before you start the program if you want to finish in only three terms. That's what I did. read more

I've been receiving many messages to go into more detail than I already have, so here's a list of things to consider before you think about attending CST: 1. Even when diligently reading CST's janky iPad's ten module books (oh yes, you are forced, by CST to buy an iPad, regardless if you already have an iPad or laptop--it is *part of your tuition*), you are still highly unprepared to set foot in a classroom environment. 2. From the very start you are most likely behind in your hours as they are so demanding and your placement is sketchy. You quickly realize: you = free labor = should not be legal = but it is. 3. There are some good "mentors" but most are unclear about the technology that is *required* and do not hold PhDs (as university professors must). 4. There is no "fast way" to get a teaching credential. It's a lot of work, practice, saint-like patience, understanding laws, different districts policies, and how to communicate with administration--all things that are crucial and that CST does NOT prepare you for. 5. I would recommend, if you truly want to get your teaching credential, to inquire at your local university (CST again, is not a university--it just uses the Cal State name because they *rent* an office there). The price is about the same as a university and you are not forced to buy anything (ie. an iPad) 6. This should be #1, but get your CSET MS test passed and out of the way *before* you continue your education (anywhere) to be an educator. The CSET Multiple Subject test consists of three sections, and is crazy intense. If you've been out of school for a bit--it requires a lot of studying and practice. It also may take you multiple attempts. I recommend the Cliff Notes CSET book, study.com, and looking up topics you don't understand on YouTube. 7. I totally get the freedom of taking classes online and CST romanticizes this, but I'm telling you--all of my online classmates and I thought it was a joke/scam, to get you to pay them, only to work for free. 8. If you're still considering it, I would suggest doing as much research as you can on the instructors, head of staff, and searching for honest reviews. Google "CST scam", "CST BBB", etc. CST has paid google to show up first in your search results, so add a negative (or other word behind CST) such as: scam, review, responses, rip off, complaints, etc. 9. Professors at a university (more than likely) will be better mentors than your retired-teacher-side-hustle-advisor. No disrespect to retired teachers, but professors at at university bring an entire wealth of knowledge, activity, and one on one face time IRL, that the CST advisory staff absolutely does not. Especially "Dr. Black". I've never met someone so stand offish, rude, and unhelpful--especially in a main advisory role. Google him as well (or whomever the head of staff is for you) and you will see that CST is just his side-hustle as well. In his blog (look it up) his complains multiple times about LAUSD, but (again) he will send you there without blinking an eye. 10. You do you. Just like teaching students, there is no one-size-fits-all. I recommend substitute teaching at a district first, to see what grade level(s) you flourish at. As John Dewey said, "You have to learn by doing" BUT this way *you are learning and getting paid*, not paying CST to work and learning what not to do. 11. Finally, in any teaching credential program, you will have to obtain clinical experience hours (ie. working for free). The hours increase as your education progresses. It is not easy, but required by the state of CA. 12. I wish you all the best! Teaching is a calling, purpose, and a special gift. It is one of the noblest professions. You *have to have* a love for wanting to make a difference in student's lives and you have to have a deep understanding that it will be a different experience and challenge every. single. day. read more

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