Certificate Programs

Certificate students must take a minimum of 15 units of coursework.  Of these units, 12 must be courses as outlined below and the final 3 units are the capstone curriculum project.

The certificate program can be completed in a single year by taking two courses each semester and completing the curriculum project over the summer, but working teachers may choose to take longer.  For example, taking one course each semester would allow you to finish in two years.  It is also possible to take off a single semester and return to the program without reapplying. The university requires that all graduate students complete their program’s requirements within seven years.

Courses are offered after 4 p.m., and the certificate can be completed at your own pace in one to two years.

Coursework

• Required of all students (9 units)       
  • History 700, History as a Field of Knowledge (3 units)
  • History 696, Proseminar (variable topics) (3 units)
  • History 870, Curriculum Project (3 units)
• Electives (6 units chosen from the following):
  • History 701, 702, 705, 710, 720, 730, 740, 741, 780, 790, 805, 830, 840, 850 (all 3 units, variable topics courses may be repeated with new topic)
  • Prerequisites: History 700 or permission of the instructor.

All coursework must be completed before the student can enroll in History 870.

1. Courses common to all certificate students (6 units)

• History 700: History as a Field of Knowledge
  • Certificate students should take this course in the first or second semester of study.  It introduces students to history and historiography as practiced by professional historians as well as the reading and writing skills necessary for historical analysis.
• History 696: Proseminar
  • Certificate students should take one proseminar (enrolls both undergraduate and graduate students); topics vary.  This course requires the completion of a primary-source research paper on a subject related to the topic of the course.
  • Most seminars are offered after 4 p.m. 

2. Electives (6 units)

Students are required to take 6 additional graduate units (2 courses), generally from courses numbered History 701 to History 850. 

Courses may be repeated for credit provided the topic is not repeated.

3. Curriculum project (3 units)

• History 870: Curriculum project
  • Upon the completion of their coursework, all students will enroll in History 870 in order to complete a capstone project which consists of designing a teaching unit based on prior coursework.  Although the majority of this work will be done independently, students should consult with the relevant faculty during the planning stages of the project and will be supervised and assessed by an assigned faculty member during the term they complete the project.

To apply, you must do so online at Cal State Apply.  The following materials will be required for your application.

1. Application fee (currently at $55, fee waivers are available).
2. An unofficial copy of all transcripts.
   • The online system will prompt you to upload unofficial copies of transcripts from all the undergraduate and graduate institutions you have attended (If admitted and matriculated, you will be asked to furnish official transcripts).
   • This includes SF State transcripts if you have previously taken classes at the university.
3. One letter of recommendation.
   • Letters should come from educators — either a professor with whom you have studied on the undergraduate or graduate level or a colleague or supervisor (department chair, principal).  There is no set form for these letters, but the letter should include information about your abilities (reasoning and analytical ability, writing and research skills, teaching aptitude) and likelihood of success (motivation, maturity) in a graduate program.
   • You may submit up to three letters if you wish.
4. Personal statement
   • Your personal statement (maximum of 1000 words) should tell us why you are interested in in the graduate certificate in history education, your background in education and in history, and your goals for the program.

Tips for navigating the online system:

There are four sections in the online application, but you can opt out of the following:

• In Academic History section, opt out of transcript entry and GPA entry.
• In Supporting Materials section, opt out of all supporting materials.  For Statement of Purpose section, write “Uploaded to Program Materials Section.”
• In Program Materials section, click on Documents tab to upload unofficial transcripts, statement of purpose, and any other documents. Click on Questions tab to answer questions.
• In Recommendations section, enter the name(s) and e-mail address(es) of your recommender(s). They will then receive an email prompt from the online system to upload their letter of recommendation.  Applicants should send requests for letters before they have submitted the application to allow recommenders enough time to submit their letters (due one week after the applicant deadline).

Please also see the admissions information on the Graduate Studies webpage for additional tips. Staff in Graduate Studies can also help you with any technical issues you might encounter with the WebAdmit system.

Information on the university fee schedule and financial aid can be found on the SF State website.

Registering

1. Expressing your intent to register: If you decide to attend San Francisco State once you are admitted you need to inform the university and the department of your intent to register. Within two weeks of receiving your letter of admission to the university, you must notify the university of your intent to register by going to SF State Global Login and following the instructions.
2. Register for Class: log on to MySFSU and click on Registration Time for your 24 hour priority registration.

Further Questions?

Contact Professor Sarah Curtis by email at scurtis@sfsu.edu.