Admission to the program may be achieved by completing the following requirements:

1. Pass the CBEST. Candidates who, for admission purposes, have taken and passed all four subsets of the Multiple Subject CSET examination after July 1, 2007, will not have to take and pass the CBEST. Not required for Option A, B or Level II.

   Multiple subject students may submit the CSET exam with all four areas passed to meet the CBEST prerequisite admission requirement.

   Option A:  Hold a valid Preliminary or Clear Education Specialist Credential, mild/moderate or moderate/severe with EL Authorization based on 2009 CTC Program Standards.
   Option B and Level II:  Hold a valid Level 1 Preliminary Education Specialist Credential, or Certificate of Eligibility, Mild/Moderate and/or Moderate/Severe, based on 1997 CTC Standards.

   
    
2. Applicants to a credential program must possess a grade point average of 2.75 (GPA) calculated over the most recent 30 graded semester (45 quarter) credits completed in either a baccalaureate or post baccalaureate program, including credits earned toward a credential. All credits used for GPA calculation must be from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants to the 2042 Single Subject Credential program who are using an academic major or coursework for subject matter competency must also have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in their major field to be admitted.

   Applicants with GPAs between 2.50* and 2.74 can qualify for admission to a credential program by earning a passing score on one of the qualifying examinations listed below. A passing score will fulfill both the admission and the major grade point average requirements. Applicants may not enroll in any 500 level course until successful completion of an entrance examination:

   • Graduate Record Examination (GRE): any two of the three GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative or Analytical Writing) may be used to meet credential program admissions standard. The minimum acceptable score for the Verbal 150, Quantitative 141, and Analytic Writing is 4.5.
   • Miller Analogies Test (MAT): achieve a minimum scaled score of 403.
   • Subject Matter Competency Examinations: successfully complete all subtests of the appropriate California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). Exceptions are Foundational Level General Math where only subtests I and II are required and Foundational Level General Science where only subtests I and II are required.

*Education Specialist applicants with a GPA lower than 2.5 may, under certain conditions, petition for admission consideration under an "exceptional admit" category. Applicants must have passed the CBEST and one of the approved graduate admission examinations specified in number 7 above to be considered for an "exceptional admit". The School of Education encourages applicants to take the appropriate Subject Matter Competency Examination as a way to demonstrate suitability for admission to a credential program.

How to Apply

1. Complete and submit an Application for Graduate Admission
2. Provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Only credit from regionally accredited institutions will be accepted for transfers. International applicants or domestic applicants with transcripts from international institutions must also submit foreign transcripts. PLEASE DO NOT FAX TRANSCRIPTS OR TEST SCORES.

   Please mail all official transcripts to the following address:

   
   

   Brandman University
   Office of Admission
   16355 Laguna Canyon Road
   Irvine, CA 92618

   With the exception of transcripts or test scores, you may also fax additional required documents directly to the Office of Admission at (913) 495-6235 or e-mail the documents as attachments to apply@brandman.edu.

3. Submit three Recommendation for Teacher Preparation Forms from individuals who are familiar with the applicant's academic/professional ability to undertake graduate study.
4. Applicants transferring from another institution's credential program must supply a letter from that institution's Education Department attesting to the applicant's good standing in their program. Such a letter should be written on institutional letterhead by the Dean, the department chair, the director of teacher education, or some other person in a similar position.
5. Submit a statement of intent explaining what teaching means to you and why you think you would be successful in this profession.