Recruitment Strategies

This page includes a repository of strategies, programs, and reports related to the recruitment of teachers, something we also think about as activating the desire within many students to serve their communities in a meaningful way, with a special emphasis on recruiting for diversity. Specific characteristics of future teachers are listed when the resource specifically targets those populations. Resources can be filtered by population and/or type of resource.

Generally, these resources are available at no cost or through a subscription carried by CSU campus libraries.

View a list of barriers to teaching that have been used to address some of the real and perceived obstacles that teaching candidates face.

  • Minor in Education

    ​Offer a minor in Education within your college to attract undergraduate students across all majors. Consider minimizing the amount of units required for the minor to make it more accessible to students with high-unit majors.

    Population: Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Early field experiences
    Submitted by: Eurania Lopez  eurania@sfsu.edu

  • Minor in Math for Teachers

    ​Minor in Mathematics for Teachers. Since being listed on the Math Department website in 2014, we are working with the Center for Careers in Teaching (CCT) and advisors of Child Adolescent Studies and Liberal Studies to encourage students to add  

    Population: Math, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, Social media
    Submitted by: CSU Fullerton 

  • Monthly Get-Togethers

    ​Fresno State holds monthly get-togethers for undergraduate students interested in becoming teachers.

    Population: Community College, High School, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, Presentations, Special events
    Submitted by: Fred Nelson  fnelson@csufresno.edu

  • MSTI Advertising

    Print Advertising: distribution of MSTI brochure and posters at science recruitment events and credential student recruitment events.

    Population: Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advertising, Recruitment fairs, Special events
    Submitted by: CSU Channel Islands 

  • MSTI Presentations to High School Students

    ​Planting seeds early for being a STEM teacher is important. MSTI’s director gave presentations this past year to hundreds of high school students in teacher pathways programs at a TEACH conference sponsored by KSOEHD and at the regional Educators Rising conference.​

    Population: High School, Math, Science
    Strategy Type: Presentations
    Submitted by: CSU Fresno 

  • MSTI Recruitment and Selection Model

    ​The MSTI recruitment and selection model: monthly information sessions, candidate interviews, mass student emails, classroom presentations on and off campus, etc.​

    Population: Community College, Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, Presentations, Social media
    Submitted by: CSU Dominguez Hills 

  • MSTI Scholars Program for Liberal Studies and STEM Majors

    ​A MSTI Scholars Program for liberal studies and STEM majors includes monthly meetings, undergraduate research initiatives, and mentoring and outreach opportunities.​

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, SCTA and other clubs, Special events
    Submitted by: San Diego State 

  • MSTI Scholarships

    MSTI scholarships for subject matter exam fees. Financial assistance given to qualified science, pre-credential and credential students enrolled in CSET preparation courses for initial or second credentialing.

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Financial assistance, Test prep assistance
    Submitted by: CSU Channel Islands 

  • MSTI Stipends

    MSTI provides stipends and reimbursements to all Sonoma State University science and mathematics teacher credential candidates.  This helps to cover credentialing fees, exam preparation fees, and textbook stipends.

    Population: Math, Science, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Test prep assistance
    Submitted by: Sonoma State 

  • Multi-Pronged Recruitment

    ​A multi-pronged approach to recruitment activities includes workshops/information sessions, classroom presentations, one-on-one pre-program advising, financial aid advising, and mentoring support to undergraduates, career changers/degree holders, and Multiple and Single Subject teacher candidate

    Population: Credential Student, Other graduate, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Advising and mentoring, Presentations, Recruitment fairs, Special events
    Submitted by: CSU Stanislaus  tribeiro@csustan.edu

  • Multiple Subject Pathways for STEM Students

    ​Working with several departments on campus, we have developed 5 new multiple-subject teacher pathways.  As part of this plan we revamped all of the STEM courses required for multiple subject teachers.​

    Population: Credential Student, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Other
    Submitted by: Sonoma State 

  • Nominations (by Professors, Teachers, etc.)

    This strategy has proved to be highly effective at CSU Sacramento. Professors nominated close to 300 undergraduates in 2016. Each of the students received a congratulatory email (for being nominated) and an invitation to a Celebration of Teaching event.

    Population: Community College, High School, Other graduate, Paraprofessionals, Students of color, Undergraduate
    Strategy Type: Promotion by non-ed faculty, Special events
    Submitted by: Ken Futernick  educorps@calstate.edu