Attend a webinar and/or connect with a recruiter to know if we are a right fit. There are many opportunities for you to get to know the Alder Graduate School of Education.
Find out all about the residency year by reading ‘A Day in the Life of a Resident’, ‘A Year in the Life of a Resident’, and FAQs on our Program Page.
Learn more about what we look for in candidates by reviewing the Alder Key Competencies.
Email us at [email protected] to request more information or connect with a recruiter.
All interested applicants for the class of 2027-28 should meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution completed by the end of June 2027.
- Eligible to work in the U.S.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units is preferred. We believe GPA is one of multiple indicators of program readiness. If your GPA is under 2.65, you’ll have the opportunity to appeal and provide more context. Candidates with a GPA below 2.0 are not eligible for the program. See the Alder GPA Guide for more information.
Our residency programs are uniquely different and are located throughout California for the class of 2027-28. Take a moment to learn about each one of our partner residency programs by visiting our school partner locations page.
Alder GSE supports teacher residents in obtaining their Teaching Credential in subject areas that vary by TK-12 partner. The credentials we offer include Elementary/Multiple Subject (grades TK-8); Bilingual/Dual Immersion Elementary/Multiple Subject (grades TK-8); English (grades 6–12); Math (grades 6–12); Science (grades 6–12); Social Studies (grades 6–12); and Special Education – Mild/Moderate (grades TK–12).
Begin your application at aldergse.edu/apply. You will need to submit a resume and two short 250-500-word personal statements when completing your application, in addition to your residency and teaching preferences.
If you are interested in learning more about all our programs, please email [email protected].
All top candidates will be invited to a follow-up screening by phone and an interview. Interviews are typically 2-4 hours in a group setting and will take place in the weeks following the seasonal deadlines. Most interviews are held virtually on the Zoom platform.
At this stage, applicants will also order their official transcripts to Alder GSE and submit 3 professional and/or academic references. The references will be asked to complete a 5-10 minute reference form. We ask that you order official transcripts from all institutions you have attended to support meeting testing and Subject Matter Requirements (SMR).
Conditional offers will be extended to candidates pending mentor match and testing requirements. Once a candidate accepts the offer, they will be matched with a mentor teacher and encouraged to connect with current residents. At this time, candidates will also be sent their official Alder and Partner Commitments.
Residents must obtain a Certificate of Clearance (COC) prior to full Alder acceptance and prior to starting coursework if they do not hold an equivalent document on the CTC website. An equivalent document is most often a valid permit or credential previously issued by the commission, such as a 30-day Emergency Sub Permit, a Child Development Permit, an Activity Supervisor Clearance Certificate, or a prior teaching credential. For more information on applying for the Certificate of Clearance, click here.
Work toward meeting Subject Matter Requirements through an undergraduate major match, coursework, CSETs, or a combination of coursework and exams. Alder will conduct transcript reviews and provide SMR support for all accepted candidates. See CTC guidelines for more information.
Once accepted, candidates should:
- Sign and submit the Alder GSE Commitment
- Complete the Alder Enrollment Requirements as required. You can see the full enrollment task overview on our Enrollment Page.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Apply for Alder GSE and partner financial support (optional)