The Education Student Services Center is the campushub in preparing credentialed teachers needed forCalifornia?s teacher shortage, but is virtuallyunknown to many Sacramento State students.

ESSC, located in rooms 209 and 216 of Eureka Hall, isdivided into two offices the Teacher PreparationProgram and Credential Analysis Program.

The program?s aims to increase the number ofcredential candidates by monitoring each step of thestudent?s progress said Nadeen Ruiz, ESSC coordinator.

“We are about helping people become teachers,” shesaid.

Blaine Willis is a new teaching student and has usedthe preparation program several times already.Recently he went in to ask a class schedule question.

“I?ve been here two, three, maybe four times,” hesaid.

Even people who are not current Sac State studentsstop in for information and applications.

A variety of credential options are available throughESSC, Ruiz said.

The multiple and single subject credential program isoffered in two and three semesters, as well as, anighttime four semester single subject program shesaid.

And students can earn a bachelor degree and teachingcredential in 4 1/2 years through the blended physicaleducation, math and liberal studies program.

Another option Middle Ground, a two-semestercredential program for students who want to teachfourth through eighth grades, Ruiz said.

“One of the ways we address the teacher shortage is tooffer the range of options to getting yourcredential,” Ruiz said.

The credential program is a post baccalaureate programand although it?s not necessary to contact ESSC priorto obtaining a degree in education or another majorRuiz encourages early contact with the program.

“The earlier people can begin to think about thingsthe better,” she said.

Dr. Harold Murai, chair of bilingual and multiculturaleducation agrees early and accurate advising isimportant for students interested in teaching.

“Come to the student services early on,” he said ofthe advising system most students use.

Murai said he would like to see ESSC expanded tocontact potential teaching students and prevent pooradvising.

“Its not one stop right now,” he said.

Carol Lucido, Credential Analyst of the CredentialAnalysis Program said when a student is in their lastsemester the student?s file is handed over to theirprogram where they make sure appropriate courses andtests have been taken.

“We sort of just hold their hand all the way through,”she said.

After a student?s credential application is reviewed,it is sent to the California Commission on TeacherCredentialing.

The Credential Analysis Program not only handlesteacher credentials, but credentials foradministrative positions, principles, counselors,special education, clinical professionals, out ofstate teachers seeking California credentials andemergency credentialing Lucido said.

Ruiz said ESSC puts on 8 to 10 meetings every semesteron the Teaching Preparation Program Advising. The nextmeeting is Feb. 1 at 4 p.m., in Mendocino Hall,room 1015.

For a student interested in becoming a teacher Ruizsaid she rather have students drop by ESSC soonerrather than later.

“We like to see people drop in even if they?re afreshman,” she said.

For additional information visit ESSC on the web at edweb.csus.edu/essc.