Professional Studies in Education - CSU, Chico

Tri-Placement Program

Fully Approved SB2042 Program Leading to a Preliminary MS/SS Credential

About the Program

Recognized as one of the University's Centers for Excellence, the Tri-Placement Program is an award winning program of teacher preparation.

Developed in 1976 as an alternative professional preparation model, this program was initially based on the Hooker Oak Elementary School campus and has evolved to its present structure in conjunction with standards mandated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and in accordance with the new SB2042 legislation. It is a fully approved program.

The Tri-Placement Program is one of two programs within the School of Education through which candidates can earn a Multiple and Single Subject Credential within one academic year.

Philosophy & Purpose

Faculty associated with this program believe that maximum time spent in carefully supervised, well-selected, comprehensive field experiences enables teaching candidates to understand fully the complex nature of the teaching/learning process and to understand the complex role assumed by today's teachers. During a full year of authentic in-classroom experiences, candidates are prepared to assume the instructional leadership role required in today's diverse classroom settings.

The in-depth, comprehensive program prepares candidates to teach in a variety of educational settings with students from socially, economically, culturally, and linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as students with special needs in full inclusion classrooms.

To broaden experiences and increase understanding, candidates work closely with university faculty and three different cooperating teachers from the Chico and Durham school districts during one full academic year, in which we adhere to the public school calendar, rather than the university calendar.

Using California content and English language development standards, candidates participate in the planning and preparation of lessons and units and in the establishment of positive, productive classroom environments. Candidates begin and end a school year, participate in open structure, multi-graded, and traditional classrooms in year-round and conventionally calendared schools.

During the year of professional preparation, candidates become integral members of instructional teams, attend parent conferences, and participate in staff meetings and in-service training. Strategies for working with culturally and linguistically diverse students and students with special needs involved in full inclusion classrooms are infused throughout the course work.

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Advising

Advising begins during the undergraduate program and continues in course work specifically designed for candidates planning to enter the Tri-Placement Program. The faculty advisor is available by appointment. Please contact the advisor at the number below to set up an appointment.

It is strongly suggested that those wishing to apply to the Tri-Placement Program complete a pre-application one year in advance of planned entry date. Pre-applications may be obtained in the Education Services Center (Holt 101) or the Professional Studies in Education department office (THMA 401).

Rebecca Justeson
Office: Tehama 423
Phone: 530-898-6293

Professional Studies in Education
Office: Tehama 401
Phone: 530-898-5398

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Structure of the Program

Classroom experiences occur in approximately three 12-week blocks (trimesters) in three different classrooms and follow a public school calendar. Professional education courses begin two weeks prior to the university's start-up date and continue through the first trimester, two afternoons per week.

Candidates spend the remainder of the week in assigned field experience classrooms with cooperating teachers. A full week of seminars occurs near the end of trimesters I and II. During trimesters II and III, candidates spend one afternoon a week in seminars and the remainder of the week in their classrooms. The professional preparation year ends with the close of the public school year for the classroom in which the student teacher is working.

Upon successful completion of this program, students earn a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential (grades K-12, self-contained classrooms) and/or a Preliminary Single Subject Credential (grades K-12, departmentalized).

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Program Pre-Requisites

Liberal Studies major or Subject Matter Waiver (or appropriate CSET or Subject Matter exam)

ENGL 470 Theory and Practice of English as a Second Language
EDTE 302 Access & Equity in Education
SPED 343 Overview of Special Education
EDTE 440 Special Topics Related to Classroom Practices in Culturally Diverse Settings
Six semester units of any one foreign language with a grade of "C" or better

45 hours early field experience with culturally and linguistically diverse learners


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Special Features of the Program

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