Frequently Asked Questions

When I finish the program, will I have a credential valid to teach anywhere?
You will have a multiple subject credential valid to teach in a self-contained classroom in any school in California— public, parochial, or private. And with just a few more classes, you can obtain a single subject credential, to enable you, for instance, to be a middle school math or science teacher or a high school English teacher. State credential reciprocity is another matter. California does have one of the most far-reaching credentials.

Do I get paid in this internship program?
In order to be part of this program, you need to have a paid teaching position. This could be in a private, public, or parochial school. All of the schools that make up the coalition sponsoring the BATTI program employ assistant, intern or associate teachers. Salaries for these positions range from $18,000 to $32,000. Almost all of the BATTI students are assistant, intern or associate teachers, but we have had a full-time lead teacher in our program, as well.

How can I get one of these assistant teacher positions?
Please contact the BATTI director about openings at the schools. When you attend our information sessions, he will give you a list of the schools, people to contact, and their hiring timelines. For reference, please consult the Coalition Schools link on this site. The BATTI director recommends good candidates to the coalition schools, and writes a biographical synopsis of each accepted student which has helped students find their jobs in the past. But it is your responsibility to contact the schools and follow through their hiring process. It is the school's decision whom they will hire for their positions. Again, you cannot participate in the BATTI program if you do not have a paid teaching position.

Can I get a public school emergency credential and be part of this program?
No, unfortunately not. You should enroll in the San Francisco Teaching Intern Credential Program that is affiliated with the San Francisco Unified School District and San Francisco State University College of Education.

How do you get any public school experience in this program?
You get public school experience in two ways. In your first two semesters, you will get released from your private school to teach part of one morning each week in a local public school. You will get your main public school teaching experience during the summer semester.

What are the requirements for the program?
Admissions Requirements

What are the CSET exam requirements?
We recommend that as soon as you apply for this credential program, you sign up for this test. You must pass one section of this test before you begin classes in late August.

What if I fail the CSET test?
You can take the test multiple times if necessary. The test has three parts: Reading and Social Studies; Math and Science; Physical Education, Human Development, Visual and Performing Arts. You may take each test separately. The CSET test requires concentrated study for most candidates; it is a harder, longer, and more expensive test than the CBEST. Weekend study courses are offered and universities in the area. You can purchase test preparation booklets at most bookstores. Online study guides are also available.

When I graduate from the program, does my degree say Bay Area Teacher Training Institute or San Francisco State University?
You will receive your diploma from San Francisco State University, along with a certificate of completion from the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute. The most important piece of paper you will get will be your multiple subject credential, which you will receive from the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing in Sacramento.

Do I still have to get recommendations if I have been teaching in one of the coalition schools?
Yes, two references will be required of all candidates.

What are the deadlines for the program?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please see the Admissions and Welcome pages for more information.

Will the program find me a summer placement in the second summer?
Yes, the program director has many contacts in local public school districts and will help you secure a summer student teaching position. In addition, you may apply for paid positions at private school summer enrichment programs such as Aim High which educate public school children.

Do you get paid for the summer school teaching?
In most cases, public school summer school student teaching is unpaid. Aim High pays a stipend.

What does the partnership with San Francisco State mean for me?
Our Institute needs the sponsorship of a state-certified Institute of Higher Education in order to grant a state teaching credential. Many of our instructors are also instructors at SFSU. Classes will be held off-site, at one of the coalition schools. As SFSU students, you can receive a student ID card from the University. You can also receive Financial Aid.

How much will the program cost?
The costs will be about $13,800 for the five semester program for course fees, and an additional $800 for textbook and materials fees.

Do I have to pay the tuition all at once?
No, tuition and textbook payments can be broken up into four installments each semester.

Can I get my masters degree in this program?
After you finish the credential requirements, you can apply to the San Francisco State masters program, and 9 of your units will be transferable, leaving you with another 18-20 units to complete your masters.

With a BATTI credential, will I be qualified to teach in public schools?
Half of BATTI graduates find their first jobs in public schools. Through your summer school job you will gain public school experience. The program also includes a weekly observation/assistant teaching period (one half day a week) in a public school setting. Your experience in both public and private schools and at many grade levels will be attractive to a public school principal.

Where are BATTI students getting jobs?
Since the first BATTI cohort graduated in June, 2004, teachers have found jobs at many private and public schools throughout the Bay Area. Please see our Annual Reports for further details.