EUSD Teacher Residency

Escondido Union School District’s residency program is available to paraeducators working in our district who are interested in obtaining their Special Education Teaching Credential with a focus in Mod/Mild or Extensive Needs (Mod/Severe).

Anyone from an existing special education credential program can apply for a residency slot with EUSD, they must go through the same rigorous application process and join EUSD as an employee to begin their residency.

EUSD is very excited by our residency program because with the residency option in place we can offer to pay residents a $30,000 stipend as well as paraeducator pay and benefits.

Once accepted a resident will be placed with a mentor teacher at an Escondido Union school site.

Applications are Now Closed for the 2025-26 School Year.

Please check back in Winter 2025 for 2026-27 Applications.

Applications Closed

Our Partner Universities

San Diego State University

San Diego State has two timelines for their credential program. The first is their 3 semester option with a Spring semester start. During your first semester of coursework in January through June, you would continue working your normal paraeducator assignment and then you would be eligible for residency starting in August.

The credential can also be completed in 2 semesters (Fall and Spring) concurrently with the residency program. Please speak to a SDSU counselor to learn more as there are a handful of courses that may need to be completed in the summer prior to starting in the fall.

SDSU courses will be offered Monday through Thursdays in the evenings. They have a 50/50 mix of in-person and hybrid with some online courses.

Application information can be found on SDSU's website.

For specific SDSU questions about their Special Education credential program, please contact:
Dr. Bonnie Kraemer
(619) 594-4822
bkraemer@sdsu.edu

National University

National University offers a 25% discount to EUSD employees and offers the flexibility of online classes with monthly enrollments.

National does require you to complete their core coursework and the CSET before entering the classroom as a resident, due to National’s rolling monthly enrollment please plan accordingly. Their program is about 12-15 months long.

Program and contact Information below:

Credential

Resources

Special Education Credential Zoom Meeting
Every 3rd Thursday @ 5PM

Program Course Compass: https://kbeucus.wixsite.com/national-university

Contact

McKayla Carpenter-Robinson
NU Teacher Residency Liaison
mcarpenterrobertson@nu.edu
Book an Appointment with McKayla

Cal State University San Marcos

Cal State San Marcos’ program is 2 years in total with Fall admissions only.

For CSUSM's program the first year is focused on the multi-subject credential, which would not qualify for residency however, a 2nd year can be completed for the special education credential and you could enter residency that year while completing the credential at CSUSM.

An example timeline would be if you started with CSUSM in Fall 2025, you would be eligible for residency in Fall 2026.

CSUSM courses are offered in the evenings Monday through Friday.

For specific CSUSM questions about their Special Education credential program, please contact:
Dr. Jodi Robledo or Dr. Emiliano Ayala-contact/application info here.

Grant Information

While EUSD cannot cover the tuition for your credential we are encouraging those interested to apply for the Golden State Teacher Grant and any other grants or scholarships your university accepts.

We encourage you to take advantage of the Golden State Teacher Grant which is awarding up to $20,000 to California residents toward the completion of a teaching credential. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and may run out sooner rather than later. If you want more information on how to apply, please visit the GSTG website. They even have a pre-enrollment estimate option so you can see what your potential grant allotment would be.

The San Diego County Office of Education has classified employee grants of up to $3500 available each year. The purpose of these grants is to support classified employees, including preschool teachers, in becoming credentialed teachers. The grant will help offset the cost of completing a California teacher preparation program of the employee’s choice.  

Participants will be reimbursed at the end of the semester for approved expenditures which may include tuition, books, testing, other academic support services, and many living expenses. In addition to this financial support, the program will also provide an educational advisor who will provide mentoring and advisement throughout the time in the program. Lastly, the program will also provide exam preparation if applicable.

More CA grant information from SDCOE can be found here Spreadsheet Teaching Funding Programs

California Teaching Credential Commission Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Who pays for tuition?

While EUSD does not pay for your university tuition, we are offering a generous stipend ($30,000) on top of paraeducator pay and benefits during residency.

Can I keep my medical benefits/retirement?

Yes! You can retain your medical benefits but will need to pay the employee portion. When you have accepted a teaching position you will have the choice to continue to pay into CalPERS or rollover your account to CalSTRS, the teaching retirement system.

How long is the residency with EUSD?

1 academic year, August to June.

Are any other credentials options available?

No, the residency program is currently only available to those who are interested in a Special Education Credential (Mild/Mod or Extensive Needs {Mod/Severe}).

What are the deadlines?

Applications to SDSU or CSUSM can be found on their websites. A general rule of thumb: Fall semester applications are due by December of the year prior and SDSU’s Spring semester app is due in August of the previous year. National enrolls monthly.

An application process to join the residency will be due in early spring.

What happens after residency?

If all criteria have been met EUSD will prioritize you for hire as a Special Education teacher for the following academic year. All residents are required to complete 4 years of teaching within the following 8 years. These 4 years must be completed in California.

For all other questions please contact Hannah Arp, Personnel Technician (760) 432-2384, harp@eusd.org