This credential authorizes the holder to provide administrative services for grades K-12 including:

• The development and assessment of instructional programs
• The management of school site, district, or county fiscal services; hiring, assigning, supervising, and evaluating certificated and classified personnel
• Providing discipline to students and employees
• Development of student support services.

Who Should Enroll

Before enrolling in a preparation program for the Preliminary ASC, you should:

• Possess a valid California teaching credential or services credential
• Complete a minimum of three years of full-time service in public schools or private schools at the time of recommendation for the Preliminary ASC
• Pass the CBEST

Comprehensive Exam

The Preliminary ASC program culminates with a comprehensive examination based on the major issues covered in the curriculum of the program. This is a take-home, open-book, open-note examination that is taken after all coursework has been completed. Each instructor provides one or two essay questions from each course. This is a pass/fail exam administered and evaluated by the program director.

Course Requirements

Approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the ASC program consists of 11 classes totaling 36 units. All coursework must be completed with a grade of “B” or better, and complete exit survey.

Supervised Administrative Fieldwork

Candidates for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential conduct Supervised Administrative Fieldwork under the guidance of a Site Mentor selected by the candidate. The required 80-hours of Fieldwork may include activities such as:

• serving as a grade-level or department leader,
• leading a committee or working with a parent advisory group,
• serving on a planning team, or
• planning and implementing a large event at the site, district, or organization level.

Evidence of completion of activities aligned to the California Professional Standards for Educational Leadership are maintained and submitted at specific points during the experience.

English Proficiency Requirement
All certificate programs at UC Irvine Extension (classroom and online formats) require professional-level English language proficiency in listening and note-taking, reading comprehension and vocabulary, written expression, and oral presentation. If you would like to refine your English language proficiency prior to beginning one of our programs, please see our English Language Programs.

Stay Informed About
Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (ASC) Tier I

Preliminary (Tier I) Administrative Services Credential Process

• What other requirements are there to receive the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential?
  
  1. Complete all required coursework with grade of B or better and exit survey.
  2. Submit an application packet to the Credential Analyst. The analyst will need the following documents in order to prepare the credential recommendation:
     • One official sealed transcript reflecting grades for all required courses
     • Completed credential application (download from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing website www.ctc.ca.gov)
     • Official verification for 3 years of full-time employment on a valid California teaching or service credential
     • Verification of employment as an administrator or complete a certificate of eligibility
     • A valid credit or debit card will be necessary to make payment directly to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing via CTC website (You will receive email directions after your application has been submitted by the credential analyst.)
     • A $125.00 check made payable to UC Regents. UCI charges $125 for processing the Administrative Services Credential. This fee is in addition to the $57.00 fee paid to the CTC.
• How do I prove to my school district that I will be receiving the credential?
  Once all required documents are submitted and the credential analyst has processed your credential recommendation for the State, you will receive an email requesting payment from the CTC. After payment is received and the CTC completes your application process, you will receive a second email confirming the payment for your credential. You can use this email as verification for your district that your credential is being processed. The credential document will be emailed to you several days later.
• What if I have completed the coursework but I do not yet have a job as an administrator?
  It is still very important to make an appointment with the credential counselor and bring in all of the documents required above EXCEPT for the verification of employment as an administrator. The counselor will apply for a Certificate of Eligibility, which has no expiration date. Once you obtain an administrative position you will return the Certificate of Eligibility to the California Commission of Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) with an application, requesting the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential.
• What will I do to renew the Preliminary Administrative Credential?
  Similar to your teaching credential, you will have to clear your Preliminary Administrative Services Credential within 5 years. In order to clear the credential you must complete a Professional Clear (Tier II) Administrative Services program and be recommended for the clear credential. See the UCI Extension website, www.unex.uci.edu, for more information on the Tier II program.

IMPORTANT: It is extremely important that you apply for either your credential or the Certificate of Eligibility immediately after completing the required coursework. We will not make a credential recommendation if the coursework has not been completed within the last 5 years.

Advisory Committee

• Morgan Appel, Director of Education Programs, UCSD Extended Studies
• Susan Belenardo, Assistant Superintendent,
  La Habra City USD
• Kimberly Burge, Lecturer, UCI Department of Education
• Monica Colunga, Principal, Irvine Unified School District
• Catherine D’Aoust, Coordinator, Instructional Services, Saddleback Valley USD
• Barbara DeHart, Professor, Claremont Graduate University
• Dennis Evans, Director of Admin Services Credential and Ed. D. Programs (retired), UCI Department of Education
• Darlene Le Fort, Superintendent, Coastline Regional Occupational Program
• Thomas Jacobson, Assistant Superintendent (retired), Newport-Mesa USD
• Elizabeth Novack, Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, Newport-Mesa USD
• Kathleen Ossenmacher, Teacher, Newport Mesa USD
• Tim Reece, Principal, Capistrano USD
• Jeanne Sesky, Teacher, Oxford Academy
• Sarah Singh, Credential Analyst and Counselor, UCI Department of Education
• Dr. Robert Taylor, Assistant Superintendent Educational Services, Corona-Norco USD
• Ronald Wenkart, General Counsel, OC Department of Education