Teaching Credential

At Notre Dame de Namur University we view teaching as a transformative vocation that goes beyond academic instruction. Our teaching credential programs are guided by the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur:

We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.
We honor the dignity and sacredness of each person.
We educate for and act on behalf of justice, peace and care for all creation.
We commit ourselves to community service.
We embrace the gift of diversity.
We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.
We develop holistic learning communities which educate for life.

These hallmarks guide our mission to provide an education that is academically rigorous and deeply rooted in their values of faith, justice, and community.

Credentials Office

The Credentials Office provides support services to the students, faculty and administration of NDNU’s School of Education. Services include answering questions for, and providing assistance to prospective and current students and providing both assistance with processing and a formal recommendation to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for those who complete the program. All K-12 teaching and administrative credentials, permits and certificates are issued by the CTC. Credentials requiring the completion of a teacher education program are issued on the basis of a recommendation by the University, subject to satisfactory program completion.

The Teaching Credential process at Notre Dame de Namur University

Apply

Provide transcripts

Enroll In Foundations Courses

Student submits Credential Analyst Service & Program Evaluation Request System (CASPER) to Credentials office for transcript review
Transcripts evaluated for following requirements
- Subject Matter Requirement
- US Constitution

Advance To Fieldwork Student Teaching / Intern Teaching

Intern teaching requires Director approval
If approval is provided Student completes a CASPER request to the Credential Office with an Intern credentail application and their employment letter

Complete Method Courses & All Program Required Courses

Congratulations! You’ve completed the coursework!

Complete All CTC State Requirements UPLOAD To Canvas

CTC’s State requirements – All requirements submitted to CANVAS course

TB Testing
Certificate of Clearance
CSET – Subject Matter Requirement
US Constitution
CalTPA (NDNU provided Cy1 & Cy2 courses)
RICA Literacy testing*
CPR Course (NDNU provides a course)

After July 1, 2025, the RICA Literacy testing will go away -or sunset. The CTC will require that RICA/literacy be met with cycle 2 of the CalTPA which will be called LPA.

Complete All Commission On Teacher Credentialing State Requirements

Student submits a CASPER request to the Credential offices with a completed Preliminary Application form.

The Credential Office Submits a Recommendation After Careful Review and Analysis That All Coursework and State Requirements Are Met

Student is recommended to the state for a Preliminary Teaching Credential

Contact

Terrance Hanna
Credentials Analyst
Julie Billiart Room 128
thanna@ndnu.edu
650-508-3545

Aspo Normantas
Credential Data Analyst
Julie Billiart Room 129
650-508-3701

Hours
Mon – Thurs, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Fri, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Credentials Office can assist you with:

Providing credential information
Reviewing your undergraduate transcripts to identify the extent to which you may have satisfied part or all of the subject matter requirement and the US Constitution requirement.
The transition to student teaching/internship and application for a University Internship credential
Processing your certification paperwork
Personalized Guidance
- The office provides one-on-one advising sessions to help NDNU Credential students understand the credentialing process, requirements, and timelines. This personalized support ensures that each student receives tailored advice based on their unique needs and goals and allows the student to focus on their coursework and fieldwork while they are supported through completing the state requirements and the application process by the credential analysts.
The Credentials Analyst Service & Program Evaluation Request (CASPER) system for
your requests.
- Our office provides our students with a customized system to submit a request to the Credential Analysts. The Credential Analyst Service & Program Evaluation Request System or the CASPER. system at NDNU will allow you to submit a direct request to the Credentials Office which is logged and tracked by the
  analysts.

The Credential Candidate’s responsibility:

Is to understand certification requirements, fulfill program and statutory requirements and submit required documentation on time.

Private School Credential Pathway

California offers two pathways for private school teachers to obtain Multiple and Single Subject

Teaching Credentials:

Three to Five Years of Experience: Teachers can substitute three to five years of full-time teaching experience for the student teaching component of a teacher preparation program.
Six Years of Experience: Teachers with six years of full-time teaching experience can bypass the entire teacher preparation program, including student teaching.

Qualified candidates can apply directly to the Commission without a recommendation from NDNU and are exempt from completing the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA).

Note: The Credential Office strongly recommends seeking the support of your private school administrator to provide you with professional teaching observations and the necessary resources to complete your application. See CTC’s webpage at the link below for more details on what’s required from your Private school and how to complete your application. Pay particular attention to the importance of the private school’s evaluations in the CTC’s consideration of your application.

Private School worksheet for NDNU students

Requirements for Teachers with Private School Teaching Experience

All NDNU credential programs meet program standards of the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The answers to complex questions that are beyond the scope of this website can often be found on the Commission’s website at Credential Requirements.

Questions about master’s degrees, programs, courses and requirements should be directed to your advisor or the Registrar’s Office: 650-508-3516

Walk-ins are welcome, appointments preferred.
Credentials offices at: JB 128 & JB 129
Contact us at: credentials@ndnu.edu.

You may also contact the main office at the School of Education at 650-508-3430.

Notre Dame de Namur University is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, NDNU will make employment decisions irrespective of the staff member’s race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (a cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. When necessary, the NDNU will reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities if they are otherwise qualified to perform all essential functions safely and do it without undue hardship to the NDNU. Inquiries regarding the College’s equal opportunity policies should be directed to the Human Resources Department via email at hr@ndnu.edu. NDNU admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

Mark Dee

Magellan Solutions USA launched under the visionary leadership of Mark A. K. Dee, Chief Executive Officer – a consultant and service provider for healthcare administrative support, IT development, energy, call center, and business process outsourcing. Mark has served in various multi-level management positions in his 21 years of service in the United States Air Force (USAF). He performed as Immunology and Microbiology department manager, Medical Laboratory Assistant Director, Facility and Security Manager, and finally retiring in the military in 2008 as Superintendent/Assistant Chief of Operations of 330 personnel Medical Group. Mark has experiences in the services industries since he retired, including running a restaurant chain as the CEO. He has also developed other businesses in the Martials Arts studio and 3d-printing industries. He has a BS in Health Sciences and Hospital Administration, Board Certified in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Graduated in the Senior Executive Leadership School from the USAF, Master’s in Business Administration, and a Master’s of Science in Systems Management at Notre Dame De Namur University.

Chosen Cheng

Chosen Cheng is owner of CMC Group, a privately held engineering and marketing consultancy for small business startup ventures. He currently works with project teams developing patented award-winning solar roofing systems and patent pending drone-based augmented reality geological and thermal mapping solutions. He was formerly a Silicon Valley marketing and innovative corporate training manager. As an avocation and a way to “pay it forward” he enjoys teaching and career coaching college and graduate MBA students many of whom are pioneering first generation college students from underserved communities. He and his wife, a Notre Dame alum, celebrated their wedding reception at the Ralston Mansion in the 70’s and have two stupendously successful, married adult children who between them have four stupendously adorable grandchildren.

Arthur Chait

Entrepreneur, Executive, Engineer, Investor, Professor, Mentor. Founder & CEO EoPlex Inc. ($31 million VC funded startup acquired by ASTI Singapore). President Stanford Research Institute (SRI) Consulting Division (800 staff worldwide). SVP Flextronics (responsible for $8 Billion in global accounts). President Zitel Software. Principal Booz Allen. R&D Director Halliburton. Adjunct Professor Menlo College, Visiting Professor Universidad Francisco Marroquin (Guatemala), Mentor Draper University, Judge Startup Chile. BS Engineering Rutgers, MBA Strategy University Pittsburgh.

Kelly Cansler

Kelly completed both her BS (Finance/Economics) and MBA from NDNU. She utilized her business education to launch an insurance agency in 2008 with Farmers Insurance. It’s grown into multi-million-dollar agency, organically and through acquisition. She has been recognized by Farmers Insurance being ranked within the top 10% of agents nationwide, but also as a speaker, trainer, and mentor within the Farmers Insurance Community. Kelly is extremely connected with local businessowners through several networking channels.

Cliff Burnette

Cliff is the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Rambus, a global chip and IP provider that advances data center connectivity and solves the bottleneck between memory and processing. Cliff has over 20 years of experience leading global human resources operations for publicly traded companies with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, and compensation strategy. Prior to Rambus, Cliff worked for several other high-tech companies in the semiconductor and medical device space and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Organization Development from the University of Texas at Austin.

Memo Morantes

Memo Morantes has been a San Mateo County resident for more than 45 years. He has been a three-term San Mateo County Board of Education incumbent, a Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce board member, a Sequoia Hospital Foundation member, a co-chair of the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo, and a civic/community activist.

Sheryl Young

Sheryl serves as a director for Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, which provides $10M each year for innovative teachers and social entrepreneurs throughout the Bay Area. Prior Sheryl served as CEO of Community Gatepath and AbilityPath.org. She has over 30 years of managerial experience in operations, finance, and marketing. Young is a graduate of the Stanford University Graduate School of Business Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders, earned an M.A. of Public Health from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in Special Education from Ball State University and a B.A. in Political Science from Purdue University.

Brian Schumacker

Brian manages South San Francisco-San Bruno’s wastewater treatment plant and with a dedicated staff of over 40 professionals who safeguard community health and protect the fragile San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Brian holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, both from Notre Dame de Namur University. Brian has also earned the highest levels of professional certifications in wastewater treatment.

Mario Rendon

Mario Rendon serves as District Director for State Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. He develops the communications, public relations and constituent service strategy for the office and supervises a small team that represents Mr. Mullin in the 22nd Assembly District within San Mateo County. He has over twenty year’s experience working with elected officials at the local, state and federal level developing public policy.

Jerry Hill

Jerry’s public service started with his local neighborhood association that progressed to the California State Assembly and Senate where he authored legislation resulting in laws on issues related to consumer protection, utility safety, coastal protection, public health, education and the environment. Jerry was born and raised in San Francisco, receiving his BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a Teaching Credential from San Francisco State University.

Magda Gonzalez

Magda was most recently the City Manager for the City of Half Moon Bay, California. Prior she was the City Manager of East Palo Alto, California and Assistant City Manager, Redwood City. Magda was President of Cal-ICMA, representing the Local Government Hispanic Network and serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and the Latino Leadership Council of San Mateo County. Magda is also a member of ICMA and the State Bar of California and received several awards and recognitions, including Career Excellence Award (WLG) and the Ethical Hero Award from Cal-ICMA.

Jeremy Dennis

Jeremy currently serves as Portola Valley Town Manager. Previously, he’s worked for elected officials at all governance levels, including twice as District Director for local assemblymembers. He worked as the Palo Alto Long Range Planning Director, and for San Mateo County in management roles. Jeremy has a Masters in Urban Planning from the London School of Economics, and graduated from UC Davis studying US History/Political Science.

Kate Comfort-Harr

Kate is Executive Director of HIP Housing, a nonprofit specializing in creative affordable housing solutions throughout San Mateo County. Kate is a frequent speaker on a wide array of affordable housing topics and is passionate about the cultivation of collaborations between the private, public and social sectors. She serves on the Board of Directors for the San Mateo Credit Union and was awarded the Chamber San Mateo County’s 2020 Business Woman of the Year Award.

Jeff Cox

Program Director for Master of Public Administration

Jerome Nadel

Jerome Nadel is Internationally experienced design-led marketing executive (CMO and GM) with a track record of improved market position, revenue growth, and M&A. He is an advance degreed psychologist and user experience product/service design expert, board member and advisor. Jerome recently retired from Rambus as where he was CMO and GM of the security software division that he led the sale to Visa. He has had a variety of chief marketing officer and chief user experience officer roles at companies including Human Factors International, SLP InfoWare, Gemplus, and Sagem. He started his career in the IBM Human Factors Labs. He is also an avid cyclist with National and multiple California State Champion titles.