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Induction/Clear Credential

Overview

Biola University’s fully online Induction/Clear Credential program is designed to help you upgrade your California Preliminary Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential to California’s Clear Credential. In this program, you will receive the necessary support to meet personalized goals for professional growth and to master the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP). With your professor’s guidance, your assigned Christian mentor will encourage you to connect classroom best practices and address issues in education through a biblical framework. Upon completion of this program, you will receive Biola’s formal recommendation to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for your Clear Credential.

The Induction/Clear Credential program can be taken as a standalone program or embedded as part of a 15-credit concentration in Biola’s M.A. in Teaching or M.A. in Education programs.

Explore different ways you can expand your education by viewing our Learning Opportunities page.


Program Requirements

Students must meet and maintain the program requirements to successfully complete the Induction/Clear Credential program.


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Courses

What will I study as an Induction/Clear Credential student?

Upon admittance to our Induction/Clear Credential program, you will enroll in an online 3-credit course for four semesters (or two semesters, if early completion requirements are met):

  • SEED 593: Induction Program — Clear Credential Candidate Professional Development

If you are already enrolled in your district’s induction program, you may simultaneously enroll in Biola’s program for one-third of the tuition cost in order to gain credits toward your district’s salary schedule and gain credits toward Biola’s M.A. in Teaching or M.A. in Education programs. Upon admission, you may enroll in the following courses:

  • SEED 604: Induction I
  • SEED 605: Induction II
  • SEED 606: Induction III
  • SEED 607: Induction IV

Admissions & Deadlines

As a Christian institution, Biola seeks to admit applicants whose backgrounds clearly demonstrate scholarly aptitude, a commitment to the historic Christian faith, personal character and integrity, and a positive service-oriented motivation toward their field of study. Biola does not discriminate on the basis of the applicant's race, color, sex, socio-economic status, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Education and GPA Requirements

  • You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution by the time you plan to start coursework at Biola, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Note: If you do not meet the degree or GPA requirements above, you may still be considered for admission. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions office at graduate.admissions@biola.edu. If you are an international student, contact grad.international@biola.edu.

Program-Specific Requirements

  • For requirement details, see "Complete program-specific admissions requirements" in the application steps section below.

English Proficiency Requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you are required to display your English proficiency before admittance into a Biola University graduate program. See “English Proficiency” in the application steps section below.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Early Action: May 1
    • General: July 1
    • International Students
      • On Campus: June 1
      • Online/Hybrid: July 1
  • Spring Semester
    • Early Action: October 1
    • General: November 1
    • International Students: October 1
  • Summer Semester
    • General: April 1

Visit Biola

Explore our sunny Southern California campus in person or virtually. Learn more about your program of interest and the admissions process by scheduling an appointment with an admissions counselor.

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Meet Your Admissions Counselor

If you have more questions about the program, admissions process or Biola in general, schedule a phone call or send an email to your admissions counselor.

Graduate Admissions Counselor

Photo of Jackson McKay
Jackson McKay

Email: jackson.p.mckay@biola.edu
Phone: (562) 903-4752 x5358
Book a Phone or Virtual Appointment

International Graduate Admissions Counselor

The Office of International Admissions serves students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

Email: grad.international@biola.edu
Book a Phone or Virtual Appointment

Application Steps

  1. Complete and submit the online application

  2. Submit a non-refundable $65 application fee

  3. Submit supplemental application materials through your online application portal:

  4. Official Transcripts

    • Submit all official transcripts from previous academic institutions.
      • Request official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
      • If enrolled at the time the application is filed, be sure to request transcripts of work finished to date and final transcripts upon completion of your course of study.
      • Transcripts will be considered official only when a) mailed directly from the institution to Biola, b) sent electronically through an approved vendor or c) physically delivered in an untampered envelope sealed by the institution. Final approval for admission is contingent on receiving an official transcript.
        • Mail transcripts to:
          Biola University Office of Graduate Admissions
          13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639
    • Note for International Students: All international transcripts need U.S. grade equivalencies noted (i.e. GPA on a 4.0 scale). If your transcripts do not show U.S. grade equivalencies, you must have them evaluated by a credential evaluation agency like SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). Be sure to choose "course by course report" and have SpanTran/WES/FIS send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order to be considered official.

    Reference Letters

    • Note: Additional instructions can be found in the online application.

    Essays

    • Note: The essay prompts can be found in the online application.

    English Proficiency (required for non-native English speakers)

    • Evidence of English proficiency is required for all students to support student success. Proficiency must be shown through one of the methods described below:
      • Minimum test score on a qualifying standardized test
        • TOEFL: minimum score of 100 iBT
        • IELTS: minimum score of 7.5
        • Duolingo: minimum score of 125
      • A degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) issued by an institution where English is the medium of instruction.
        • Official written communication from the institution (Registrar, Controller of Examinations Office, or Undergraduate College)
        • Official degree statements or transcripts may be accepted given English is stated as the medium of instruction
        • Official catalog verification
        • Note: For universities from non-Anglophone countries, further language assessment may be required.
      • Completion of the English Language Scholars (ELS) with passing status on the ELS's final exit exam, which must be approved by the ELS Director in collaboration with the academic program committee. An updated TOEFL or IELTS score may be used at the end of a term to test directly into the graduate program for the following term.
      • Qualify for English Language Scholars (ELS), which allows students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores to still enroll in their graduate degree program. Students would be taking academic English courses concurrently with the graduate degree program courses.
        • Students eligible for ELS will be assessed by the ELS Director to determine the total number of academic English courses to take while enrolled in their graduate program courses. The following are the scores needed to qualify for ELS: TOEFL iBT 90 / IELTS 7.0 / Duolingo 110–124.
        • Note: Students must be admitted to the graduate program first to be considered for ELS.
  5. Complete program-specific admissions requirements:

  6. Induction/Clear Credential

    • Verify Certificate of ClearanceIf an active California credential is not held: Verify possession of Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
    • Required Credentials — Applicants must hold a California Multiple Subject or Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credential.
    • Be a Full-Time Teacher — Applicants must be full-time teaching at a California-based school — public, private, non-public, or charter. Full-time teaching for credentialing purposes is defined as an average of four hours per day (20 hours per week) with a minimum of five hours per week being with the same group of students throughout the semester. Induction students must be in charge of instructional design and assessment of their classroom students.
    • Student Access — Applicants must have access to English learners as well as GATE and/or special needs students.
    • Administrator Recommendation Letter or Evaluation — Applicants must upload one of the following three documents, in this order of preference:
      • Letter of recommendation from your current administrator, if available.
      • Final teacher evaluation you received from your preliminary credential, teacher preparation program.
      • Professional letter from someone who has observed you teaching.
  7. Interview with a faculty member

    • After your application and all supplemental application requirements are submitted and approved, you will have a phone/video interview with a faculty member.
  8.  

    Things to Note

    • Track your application status at any time. You do not have to complete the application in one sitting. You can complete a portion and finish at a later time. Your information will be saved. When you apply, to guarantee confidentiality, you will be asked to create a user name and a password, and will receive a personalized identification number. Track your application status by logging in to the online application.
    • Official documents presented for admission or evaluation become part of the student’s academic file and normally cannot be returned or copied for distribution.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Biola is committed to help make your studies affordable — each school offers different scholarship, grant and loan opportunities to help finance your education.

Cost Per Credit (2025‑26) $725
Total Program Tuition (Estimated) Based on total program credits and 2025‑26 cost per credit$4,350—$8,700

Format

Online: You'll take coursework fully online.

Total Credits

Every program at Biola University features rigorous academics, biblically integrated curriculum and vocational preparation.

Cost per Credit

This is the cost per credit; total tuition costs for each term will differ for part-time and full-time students.

Standard Completion Time

This indicates the standard duration of this program. Completion time may vary depending on transferred coursework and preferred courseload.

Accreditation

Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.