process
Deadlines
Most programs admit students throughout the year. Priority deadlines (Students are guaranteed a spot as long as they meet all eligibility requirements) are as follows:
Summer Term- March 1 Fall Term- May 1 January Term- October 1 Spring Term- November 1
Generally, programs will continue to accept students as long as space is available. Students should consult the appropriate program assistant for the most up-to-date information. Note: Due to the popularity of our Graduate Counseling Program, final deadlines (for completed application file & interview) have been established which are usually (6) weeks prior to the first day of classes.
Procedures
Application packets are available from the Kalmanovitz School of Education by calling (925) 631-4700. Application materials to be submitted include:
- You can access our online application here. There is a $50.00 non-refundable application fee. Payment is by credit card or by check payable to Saint Mary's College. This fee is waived for students who have previously been admitted to and enrolled in an approved Saint Mary's College or SMC/Kalmanovitz School of Education program of study.
- Evidence of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college. (Application to the Doctorate of Education degree in Educational Leadership requires evidence of a master's degree or the equivalent from an accredited college.)
- Two sealed official transcripts from each college/university previously attended. An applicant with a pending degree completion must provide official verification; once the bachelor's degree is posted, 2 sealed official transcripts must be sent to the School of Education.
- Three signed original letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes noting suitability for graduate work.
- Typed Statement of Academic and Vocational Objectives, outlining purpose(s) for seeking admission to program(s). Please write the Statement of Academic and Vocational Objectives on a separate sheet of paper. Limit the length to 1 to 2 pages. Address your career goals, your reason(s) for applying to the program(s) and a brief description of your educational, work and volunteer experiences that are relevant to the program(s) you seek to enter.
- Prior to full admission to a specific credential program (including Counseling PPS credential candidates), the applicant must have applied for and paid for a Certificate of Clearance to be issued. See Moral Fitness below for details.
- Tuberculin test results.
- Intake interview with the director(s) of the program(s), designated full-time faculty, or program admissions counselor. (Call the Kalmanovitz School of Education front office to make appointments at (925) 631-4700.)
- Skills Test results, if applicable.
For specific admissions requirements for the Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership, please go to Requirements.
Upon receipt of the application we will review all materials and inform the candidate if additional information is required.
Admissions Criteria
Unconditional acceptance into the Kalmanovitz School of Education requires a complete application file, including evidence of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college. Applicants to the graduate degree programs (excluding Educational Leadership) must also pass the Writing Proficiency Exam and EDUC 500 or COUN 500 for unconditional acceptance. Other factors that contribute to acceptance into a certificate, credential, and a graduate degree program include the following:
- Letters of Recommendation. Current letters of recommendation (written within the last 3 years) are given serious consideration. Letters from professionals able to evaluate the probable success of the applicant in the proposed field of study are most helpful. Personal letters are not acceptable.
- Related Experience. Experience in any field related to success in teaching, counseling, or administration will be carefully evaluated. The experience may have been acquired through volunteer work or paid employment.
- Successful Admissions Interview. Screening entry interviews are also given serious consideration in the admission process. Admissions counselors and faculty will look for evidence of fit with the proposed objective, including both measurable criteria and intangible qualities such as personality, motivation, and commitment.
- Testing- CBEST. Prior to full admission to a specific credential program, the applicant must either be registered for the next administration of the CBEST (or another CCTC-approved test option) or have already taken the examination and provided a copy of the results to the appropriate program. It is not possible to earn a teaching credential, a PPS School Counseling or PPS School Psychology Credential or an Administrative Credential in California, applicants are required to have begun fulfilling one of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing-approved options for the California Basic Skills Requirement as part of the application process.
- Testing- CSET. To help ensure success in a teaching credential program, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) now requires that you have taken, or be registered to take, the appropriate Subject Matter Exam, prior to admittance. Please check the exam website to determine the appropriate exam, www.ctcexams.nesinc.com. (Single Subject candidates have the option to complete a subject matter program in place of testing). Participation in the credentialing programs of study noted above is limited to certain basic courses until the student has passed the required exams. (Doctoral applicants please see Doctoral Application Instructions following SOE Application for Admission for Admission form for GRE requirements.)
- State of California Clearance Requirement . It is a requirement by state law that every participant in a basic credential program undergoes a moral fitness/fingerprint clearance check by the California Commission onn Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Before being officially admitted to a KSOE credentail preparation program (Multiple Subject, Single Subject, Education Specialist, School Counseling or School Psychology), you must have have applied for and paid for a Certificate of Clearance to be issued by the CTC. That means the candidate has done a live scan for CTC, has turned the live scan in to the Credential Analyst so he can recommend them for a Certificate of Clearance, and then has paid for the document in response to the recommendation. If the person does not answer yes to one of the fitness questions, the document is usually issued in 1-3 days after payment. If a yes answer is supplied, clearance can take up to 6 months or more. The document must be issued prior to the start of any student teaching or practicum assignment.
- Grade Point Above Average.** For the certificate, credential, and master's degree programs, an undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 or better is expected for admission. A grade point average of 3.5 or better (or comparable evidence of academic achievement or potential) is required for acceptance into the Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership degree program. (See the section in this Handbook and Catalog on the Educational Leadership Program for more information.) Close attention is paid to the undergraduate record, especially all courses related to the proposed field of study, and to all graduate-level courses.
*If an applicant's undergraduate grade point average falls below 2.8, but the applicant is strong in other areas, factors including the candidate's age and experience, the institution from which he or she graduated, and the grade point average within the major will be considered. Under these circumstances, an applicant may still be admitted conditionally. Typically, conditional admittance requires that a grade-point-average of 3.0 or better be attained in all courses undertaken during the first semester of work. The student will then be considered for unconditional acceptance.
Evaluation of Candidates for Credentials and Degrees
The faculty and administration of the Kalmanovitz School of Education will evaluate all students during the course of their study and assess their suitability for the degree and/or credential being sought. Candidates who are identified as needing academic or professional assistance shall be referred for advising or counseling by the program director, advisor, and/or the faculty.
The Kalmanovitz School of Education will attempt to identify and advise candidates who fail to demonstrate suitability for the credential or degree being sought. The Kalmanovitz School of Education may dismiss any candidate at any stage of the program, if in the opinion of the faculty, deans, or program directors, the candidate does not exhibit the necessary personal qualities, interpersonal skills, or professional demeanor required for the credential or degree.
The Evaluation Process
The evaluation process for each student begins with the candidate's application and concludes with an evaluation conducted prior to graduation or completion of a credential or certificate.
- Entry Interview. Prospective applicants will be interviewed by an admissions counselor, designated full-time faculty member, or program director. The interview may serve any of the following purposes: (1) evaluating the candidate's record, and making a decision regarding admission, (2) planning a program of study for the credential and/or degree, (3) recommending further preparation or coursework. Among other criteria (see Admissions Criteria in this Handbook and Catalog), the applicant will be evaluated for personal qualities, interpersonal skills, professional demeanor, and pre-professional experiences that demonstrate a strong potential for success and effectiveness in the chosen field of study.
- Advising and Plan of Study. Upon admission to a program, each candidate will be assigned a faculty advisor. Students are responsible for meeting with their advisor during their first semester of enrollment. If not previously arranged, the advisor will clarify program and credential/degree requirements and assist the student in developing a detailed plan for successful completion of the program.
- Faculty Assessment of Students. At the end of each semester, students' academic performance and suitability for the position for which they are preparing will be assessed. Faculty members who have had contact with the candidate will participate in the evaluation. Candidates will be evaluated on whether or not they have met the goals of the program and have demonstrated achievement of the College's standards with respect to the credential or degree being sought. The candidate will also be evaluated on written and spoken English skills, professional demeanor, interpersonal skills, and other characteristics pertinent to career objectives.
- Evaluation for Graduate Degree Program. A candidate who has satisfactorily completed a basic credential program at Saint Mary's College and is applying for admission to a graduate degree level program will be separately evaluated on his or her suitability for graduate degree coursework: admission to graduate degree programs is not automatic. If the School of Education determines that a candidate does not have, and is unlikely to acquire, the requisite demeanor, skills, or characteristics for success at the graduate degree level, the candidate may be denied admission or terminated from the program.
- Credential or Degree Audit and Evaluation. A candidate who has successfully completed all coursework and other requirements for a particular credential or degree will be evaluated by their advisor and/or program director before being recommended for a degree or credential. If the advisor or program director decides that a candidate is not properly prepared or suitable for the responsibilities associated with the particular credential or degree being sought, the program director and/or faculty member may recommend further coursework, psychological or vocational testing, personal counseling, or may dismiss the candidate from the program without recommending him or her for a credential or degree.
Communication Proficiency
To qualify for any credential or degree awarded by the Kalmanovitz School of Education, each candidate must have demonstrated a satisfactory level of ability in reading, writing, and spoken English. Coursework must be done at the graduate level. International students can call the Center for International Programs on campus for information regarding TOEFL, (925) 631-4352. All applicants to master's degree programs must successfully complete a Writing Proficiency Examination (with the exception of students in the Educational Leadership Program): Students register for the exam, at no cost, with the receptionist of the School of Education. Faculty members will promptly notify those students who exhibit deficiencies in these skills. Appropriate action to attempt to correct the problem, including tutorial assistance, may be recommended by the program director.
Requesting Information
To request an application packet and catalog, please contact the Kalmanovitz School of Education office at (925) 631-4700 or soereq@stmarys-ca.edu. You may also use our online form to request further information.
If you are interested in speaking to someone at the Kalmanovitz School of Education about a particular program of study, please contact the Director of Recruitment, Jane Joyce, at 925-631-4149 or the appropriate person for your program area of interest. This person is listed at Contact Us.
