The District Intern Program initiated in 1984 with the implementation of Senate Bill 813, authorizing California school districts to take a major role in the preparation of teachers.  Like universities and colleges, the Los Angeles Unified School District began its first alternative credentialing program for new teachers in critical secondary subject areas.

In 1987 the Governor signed Assembly Bill 1786, which further expanded secondary alternative credentialing to include elementary and elementary bilingual.  (Currently the elementary options are not available).

Seven years later, in 1994, Senate Bill 1675 passed, which authorized LAUSD to expand its District Intern Program to include an Education Specialist Program in Mild-to-Moderate Disabilities.  The mild-to-moderate credential authorizes teaching students with specific learning disabilities, emotional disturbance and mild-to-moderate mental retardation.  In 2006 the Program continued to grow by offering an Education Specialist Program in Moderate-to-Severe Disabilities.  The moderate-to-severe credential authorizes teaching students with autism, emotional disturbance, severe mental retardation and multiple disabilities.

The District Intern Program also offers an Education Specialist Program for those who already hold a general education credential.  The Credentialed Educators Now Teaching Special Education, also known as CENTSE, is offered for teachers of mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe disabilities. 

In 2000 the District Intern Program was evaluated and received full accreditation as a teacher training institution by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

The Los Angeles Unified School District has narrowed the shortage of teachers in critical subject fields by implementing and expanding its alternative credential program over the past two decades.  More than 8,000 teachers have earned their teacher certification with LAUSD.

The District Intern Program currently offers credentials in the following subjects:

Secondary Single Subject (Grades 7–12)

• English (Not being offered for the 2012-13 school year)
• Mathematics (Not being offered for the 2012-13 school year)
• Foundational-Level Mathematics (Not being offered for the 2012-13 school year)
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geosciences
• Physics
• Foundational-Level General Science
• Early Completion Option (Fast Track)

Education Specialist for Mild / Moderate Disabilities (Grades K–12)

• Education Specialist for Credentialed General Education Teachers (CENTSE)
• Education Specialist for Non-Credentialed Teachers (Not being offered for the 2012-13 school year)

Education Specialist for Moderate / Severe Disabilities (Grades K–12)

• Education Specialist for Credentialed General Education Teachers (CENTSE)
• Education Specialist for Non-Credentialed Teachers (Not being offered for the 2012-13 school year)