Site Header Region
Page Header
Main Content Region

CS Certificate for K-12 Educators

Certificate in Computer Science for K-12 Educators

This certificate program provides training for K-12 educators to teach computer science subjects. The program will cover certain content areas in accordance with the guidelines specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The program offers two pathways to obtain supplementary authorization in computer science: (1) Specific Authorization and (2) Introductory Authorization.

Introductory authorizations added to a Single Subject, Standard Secondary, or Special Secondary (in academic subject areas only) Teaching Credential authorize the holder to teach the supplementary subject matter content typically included in curriculum guidelines and textbooks for study in grades 9 and below. Introductory authorizations added to a Multiple Subject or Standard Elementary Teaching Credential authorize the holder to teach departmentalized classes related to the supplementary authorization listed on their credential in grades 9 and below. Specific authorizations may be added to Single Subject, Standard Secondary and Special Secondary (academic subject areas only) Teaching Credentials and authorize the holder to teach the specific subject in grades preschool, kindergarten-12, and classes organized primarily for adults.

Each pathway will require 4 courses to be completed (for a total of 12 units). No prior experience/background in computer science is required. The courses will be taught online.

The following are the requirements for each pathway (please note that each course is 3 units):

The required courses for Specific Authorization are: 

  • CSE 3901 (Computer Programming for Educators):  Problem-solving techniques and algorithms. Basic control structures and data types. File I/O and exception handling. Program documentation and testing. Object-oriented concepts including classes, inheritance, and polymorphism. This course will cover a current high-level programming language such as Java and/or Python. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science.
  • CSE 3902 (Data Structures and Algorithms for Educators):  Abstract data structures, including list, stack, queue, tree, and map, and their implementation, storage allocation, and associated applications; analysis of problems and formulation, documentation, and implementation of their solutions. Techniques in algorithm design. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science
  • CSE 3903 (Software Development for Educators):  Covers the process of planning, engineering and implementing a software system to solve a problem. Introduction to database systems. Use of software tools, such as authoring and database tools, for the development of educational software. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science.
  • CSE 3904 (Information and Communication Technologies and Social Implications): Covers computer and communication devices and the systems they compose, including the concepts and abstractions that enable standalone, networked, and mobile digital devices to operate and communicate. Includes the social, ethical, and legal issues and impacts of computing, as well as the contributions of computer science to current and future innovations in the arts, business, humanities, medicine, and science. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science.

The required courses for Introductory Authorization are: 

  • CSE 3900 (Computational Thinking and Block-based / Visual Programming for Educators): Involves solving problems and designing systems, using fundamental computing concepts such as decomposition, data representation, generalization/abstraction, and algorithms. Introduction to at least one block-based, visual (drag-and-drop) programming language. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science. 
  • CSE 3901 (Computer Programming for Educators):  Problem-solving techniques and algorithms. Basic control structures and data types. File I/O and exception handling. Program documentation and testing. Object-oriented concepts including classes, inheritance, and polymorphism. This course will cover a current high-level programming language such as Java and/or Python. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science.
  • CSE 3903 (Software Development for Educators):  Covers the process of planning, engineering and implementing a software system to solve a problem. Introduction to database systems. Use of software tools, such as authoring and database tools, for the development of educational software. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science.
  • CSE 3904 (Information and Communication Technologies and Social Implications): Covers computer and communication devices and the systems they compose, including the concepts and abstractions that enable standalone, networked, and mobile digital devices to operate and communicate. Includes the social, ethical, and legal issues and impacts of computing, as well as the contributions of computer science to current and future innovations in the arts, business, humanities, medicine, and science. Cannot be counted towards fulfilling requirements in the following programs: BS in Computer Science, BS in Computer Engineering, BS in Bioinformatics, BA in Computer Systems, MS in Computer Science.

 Please visit the following website for more information about the certificate program: https://www.csusb.edu/pace/certificates/certificate-computer-science-k-12-educators

 

If you have any questions about this program, please contact: