Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
IMPORTANT! Coursework for the Master’s Degree and Preliminary Services (Tier I) Credential is identical; however, the degree and the credential are awarded by two separate and distinct agencies, California State University and the State Credentials Office respectively. Therefore, a candidate who is pursuing both the Master’s Degree and Preliminary Services Credential must apply to each agency separately, and those applications should be submitted concurrently.
Tier I Credential
Total units: 33
Prerequisite (3 units):
EDUC 600 Research in Education (or an equivalent Graduate level class*)
Ten Courses (30 units):
ELPS 650 Contemporary Administrative Leadership
ELPS 663 Legal Aspects of Educational Administration
ELPS 664 Business and Financial Aspects of Educational Administration
ELPS 672 Management of Human Resources
ELPS 676 School Community Relations
ELPS 681 Organization and Administration of Elementary, Secondary, and
Special Education
ELPS 682 Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction
ELPS 675 Decision Making Simulation in Educational Administration
ELPS 688 Fieldwork (Must be taken with no more than 6 units remaining)
ELPS 697 Comprehensive Exam
Additional Requirements
- Three years of professional educational experience under an appropriate credential by
the completion of program requirements. - Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree.
- Possession of a valid California credential.
- Undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, or Graduate Record Examination
(GRE)/Miller Analogies Test (MAT), with acceptable score. - Passing score on California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
- Two letters of recommendation from practicing school administrators.
- All students must take the Comprehensive Examination. Students in the Preliminary
Administrative Services Credential Program only must take the following sections of
The Comprehensive Examination, General Administration, School Law, and School
Finance. - An average grade of “B” or better must be maintained throughout the program. No
grade lower than a “C” will be accepted
* This course may be waived if the student has taken an equivalent similar graduate
level course. A waiver must be requested from the Department Chair.