Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is the first year of a two-year kindergarten experience in California. In addition to holding a Multiple Subject Credential, after August 1, 2025, all TK teachers must also meet one of the following requirements:

  1. Have completed at least 24 credits in early childhood education, child development, or both; or
  2. Have professional experience in a classroom setting with preschool-aged children that a local educational agency (LEA) deems comparable to 24 units; or
  3. Possess a Child Development Teacher Permit issued from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). Permit options: Child Development Teacher Permit, Child Development Master Teacher Permit, Child Development Site Supervisor Permit, or the Child Development Program Director Permit.

Chapman recommends current students (undergraduate or graduate level) who wish to be TK-eligible complete the Early Childhood Education Transcript Review and submit it soonest to determine how many credits they have (or still need) toward being TK-eligible. 

Please ensure that all of the transcripts you are referencing in this form have been submitted to Chapman’s Admissions team. If Chapman candidates opt to enroll at another institution in addition to Chapman University (called concurrent enrollment) to obtain additional credits toward fulfilling the TK eligibility requirement, they must adhere to the concurrent enrollment rules in the Chapman University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Note, enrollments across institutions in excess of certain credits may impact financial aid and are critical to consider before registering at more than one institution of higher education. 

Courses at Chapman University that can be used to meet the 24 credit requirement include the following: 

Course Number & Title  Credits 

LBST 240: Children’s Literature

 3 

TCHR 471/571: Educating Diverse Learnings in Inclusive Classrooms

 3 

TCHR I 409/EDUC 500: Literacy and Learning PK-3

 4

TCHR 464/TCHR 501: English Language Acquisition and Issues of Diversity

 3 

PSYC 310: The Psychology of Learning

 3 

PSYC 323: Child Development

 3 

PSYC 327: Life Span Development

 3 

PSYC 330: Child Abnormal Psychology

 3

PSYC 436: Health Psychology

 3 

PSYC 446: Children and Trauma

 3 

SOC 393: Child Abuse

 3 

MUS 461: Psychology of Music

 3 

MUS 478: Early Childhood Music

 3 

Teacher Education candidates may also use courses from other institutions, including community colleges, to fulfill the 24-credit requirement. For those looking for additional coursework at community colleges within close proximity to Chapman, please visit the link to view a table of early childhood courses and contact persons for these programs.

Credits needed for the Child Development permit

For the Child Development Teacher Permit, the 24 credits of early childhood/child development coursework must contain a minimum of 3 credits in each of the 3 specific areas below, unlike the TK authorization which has no specific areas required within the 24 credits. The following Chapman courses meet the three specific areas for the Child Development Teacher Permit:

  • Child/human growth and development: PSYC 323, PSYC 330, PSYC 310, PSYC 446
  • Child, family, and community, or child and family relations: PSYC 323, PSYC 330, SOC 393
  • Program/Curriculum: LBST 240, TCHR 409/500, TCHR 464/564

How to apply for the Child Development Permit (option 3)

Candidates are encouraged to apply for the Child Development Teacher Permit (in option 3). Candidates will apply directly from CTC as soon as the 24 credits have been completed. Once the Child Development Teacher Permit is obtained, candidates will be authorized for all areas covered by the permit – including Universal Pre-Kindergarten.

Please direct all questions about this process to our Credential Analyst at credentials@chapman.edu.