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 introductory meeting, 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?
The first requirements you must meet are:

• having a Bachelor's Degree with at least a 2.75 GPA
• taking and passing the CBEST test
• verifying field experience with children with a letter of reference
• a resume outlining your relevant education and experience
• a personal statement
• an in-person interview
For more detailed information please refer to the Admissions Handbook.

What are the CSET exam requirements?
Before 2004, students could get a Liberal Studies waiver, but this exemption has been eliminated. All credential candidates must now show subject matter competency by taking the CSET test before they can do their official student teaching (spring semester of 2005). We recommend that as soon as you know you will be enrolled in a credential program, that you sign up for this test. We expect that you will have passed one section of this test before you begin classes in September.

What if I fail the CSET test?
The CSET test requires concentrated study for most candidates; it is a harder, longer, and more expensive test than the CBEST. You can take the test multiple times if necessary (it is in parts so you do not have to re-take all of the test).

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 and cohort director have 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 Project Discover and 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. The enrichment programs pay a stipend, from $1500 to $4000.

What does the partnership with San Francisco State mean for me?
Our essentially private school Institute needs the sponsorship of a state-certified Institute of Higher Education in order to grant a state teaching credential. BATTI appoints about half of the program instructors, experienced teachers from the coalition schools. Those teachers will have to have a Masters Degree and be approved by the University. Classes will be held off-site, not at the university, but instead at one of the coalition schools.

How much will the program cost?
The costs will be about $13,250 for the five semester program. The exact cost will be determined later this spring, when the new fee structure for San Francisco State University is finalized.

Do I have to pay the tuition all at once?
No, tuition of about $2,850 will be due at the beginning of 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 12 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?
You will be qualified to teach at a public school. Through your summer school job you will gain public school experience, and the program will also include 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 visit our Alumni page for profiles of former BATTI students.