Teaching and Educational Services credentials are governed by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) under authority granted to it by the California State Legislature. Institutions of higher education are granted the right to recommend candidates for licensing by the CTC after this agency has approved all programs related to teacher education and educational services credentials (Administrative Services, Clinical or Rehabilitative Services, Pupil Personnel Services, and Speech-Language Pathology Services). All programs at San Francisco State University that lead to public school teaching and school services credentials have received CTC approval.
The professional teacher preparation programs leading to a teaching credential or services credential, along with the formal authorization to recommend the awarding of credentials, are the responsibility of the Graduate College of Education. Some required coursework for credentials is offered in various colleges and departments across the University. Academic departments offering majors in approved subject matter programs are responsible for certifying the subject matter competency of candidates. If a candidate has obtained a subject matter competency waiver from another institution of higher education, the student must provide verification in their admissions application.