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Standards: Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Credentials
Teacher candidates in California are required to demonstrate competence in the subject matter they will be authorized to teach. Candidates for the Single Subject Credential have two options available for satisfying this requirement. They can either complete a Commission-approved undergraduate subject matter preparation program or they can pass the appropriate Commission-adopted subject matter examination(s) (Education Code Sections 44280 and 44310). Because they satisfy the same requirement, these two options are to be as aligned and congruent as possible.
In California, subject matter preparation programs for prospective teachers are not the same as undergraduate degree programs. Post-secondary institutions govern academic programs that lead to the award of degrees, including baccalaureate degrees in English, mathematics, science and history. The Commission sets standards for academic programs that lead to the issuance of credentials. An applicant for a teaching credential must have earned a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, but the degree may be in a subject other than the one to appear on the credential. Similarly, degree programs for undergraduate students may or may not fulfill the Commission's standards for subject matter preparation. Completing an approved subject matter program that satisfies the standards enables a candidate to qualify for the single subject credential.
Elementary-Multiple Subject
Candidates for the Multiple Subject Credential must pass the appropriate Commission-adopted subject matter examination(s) (Education Code Sections 44280 and 44310). Multiple Subject Programs may be offered by an institution of higher education to help candidates develop subject matter competence. Candidates must pass the Commission-approved subject matter exam (CSET).
| Standards of Program Quality and Effectiveness for the Subject Matter Requirement for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (2001) | MS Word |
Secondary-Single Subject
Candidates for the Single Subject Credential have two options available for satisfying this requirement. They can either complete a Commission-approved subject matter preparation program or they can pass the appropriate Commission-adopted subject matter examination(s) (Education Code Sections 44280 and 44310). Because they satisfy the same requirement, these two options are to be as aligned and congruent as possible. Also see Prior Subject Matter Standards...
All single subject matter programs in English, Mathematics, Social Science or Science submitted to the Commission on or after January 1, 2007 must include in the submission a matrix that demonstrates the alignment of the proposed program to the adopted KSAs and the 9-12 Content Standards. Please click below to download an excel version of the matrix to complete (in MS Excel Format):
- English [MS Word]
- Mathematics [MS Word]
- Science [MS Word]
- Social Science [MS Word]
| Single Subject Matter Handbooks (Includes Introduction, Standards, Submission Guidelines, Implementation Plan, and Subject Matter Requirements) | ||
| Agriculture (2006) | MS Word | |
| Art (2006) | MS Word | |
| Business (2006) | MS Word | |
| English (2004) Alignment Matrix [MS Word] | MS Word | |
| Industrial and Technology Education (2006) | MS Word | |
| Health Science (2006) | MS Word | |
| Home Economics (2006) | MS Word | |
| Languages Other than English (2004) | MS Word | |
| Math (2004) Alignment Matrix [MS Word] | MS Word | |
| Music (2004) | MS Word | |
| Physical Education (2004) | MS Word | |
| Science (2004) Alignment Matrix [MS Word] | MS Word | |
| Social Science (2004) Alignment Matrix [MS Word] | MS Word | |
• Also see Prior Subject Matter Standards