Title
Secondary / Single-Subject Credentials
What does my Single Subject Teaching Credential allow me to teach?
A Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach the specific subject(s) named on the credential in departmentalized classes such as those in most middle schools and high schools. However, a teacher authorized for single subject instruction may be assigned to teach any subject in his or her authorized fields at any grade level: preschool, grades K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults.
Terms and Definitions
Statutory subjects available for California Single Subject Teaching Credentials
SINGLE SUBJECT TERMS & DEFINITIONS
ACADEMIC MAJORS & CLOSELY RELATED SINGLE SUBJECTS:
Agriculture: agribusiness, animal science, agriculture mechanics, agriculture science, forestry, plant science, landscaping, crop science, dairy science, natural resources management, horticulture, or soil science
Art: art history, art appreciation or studio art
Biological Sciences (Specialized)
Business: accounting, business management, economics (business), business administration, finance or marketing
Chemistry (Specialized)
English: composition, drama, journalism, speech, theatre arts, debate, forensics, or literature
Foundational-Level Mathematics
Geosciences (Specialized)
Health Science: child development, foods, nutrition, health science, human sexuality, or public health
Home Economics: child development, foods, nutrition, interior design or clothing
Industrial and Technology Education: photography, radio and television, industrial technology, computer education/science, or industrial design
Language Other than English: French, German, Spanish, or any language other than English, including American Sign Language
Mathematics: algebra, calculus, statistics, probability, or mathematics
Music: instrumental or vocal music
Physical Education: dance, kinesiology or physical education
Physics (Specialized)
Science: Biological Sciences: biology, marine biology, anatomy, ecology, environmental science, genetics, zoology, physiology, life science, or botany
Science: Chemistry: chemistry or biochemistry
Science: Geoscience: astronomy, earth science, ecology, oceanography, meteorology, or geology
Science: Physics: physics or thermodynamics
Social Science: anthropology, economics (social science), psychology, sociology, geography, government, political science, or history
Commission-approved Professional Teacher Induction Program
A program of situated learning for the preliminary credentialed teacher. A Verification of Induction Program Completion Form must be signed by the Induction Program director or designee. (For individuals trained outside of the U.S., training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation [CPR] that covers infant, child and adult CPR skills must also be verified. Submit a course description and a copy of the CPR card for evaluation purposes.
Departmentalized
A departmentalized class is a class in which one instructor teaches a specific subject matter area. The instructor will teach the subject matter to several different groups of students. This is the classroom organization usually found in a middle, junior, or high school setting but may also be found at the elementary level in classes such as art, physical education, and music.
Full-time Teaching Experience
(Original evaluations or photocopies of the teacher's performance for at least two years of teaching must also be submitted.)
- Experience must be full-time teaching; no part-time or a combination of teaching and other school employment will be accepted
- All experience must be gained in regionally-accredited schools in states or U.S. Territories other than California
- Teaching experience does not need to correspond with the type of certification requested and may be a combination of regular education and special education
- Adult and vocational education experience is not acceptable
- Teaching experience gained in California is not acceptable
- Teaching experience must be verified by the superintendent, assistant superintendent, or director of personnel on official letterhead of the district or districts where the teacher was employed
- Day-to-day substitute teaching experience is not acceptable
The out-of-state credential authorization must correspond to a California subject area in order for the Commission to issue a credential. If the credential is in a subject area that does not correspond with an area that may be listed on a California credential, the candidate must have completed 32 semester units of course work in the California subject area. If the subject matter course work has not been completed, a preliminary credential will be issued but the applicant will be required to meet California subject-matter requirements before the clear credential may be issued. See Commission leaflet entitled Verifying Subject Matter Competence for Single Subject Teaching Credentials [PDF] (CL-674S) for more information.
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification
| National Board Certification | California Certification |
| Early and Middle Childhood Certificate in Art, or Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Certificate in Art | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in Art |
| Early Adolescence Certificate in English Language Arts, or Adolescence and Young Adulthood Certificate in English Language Arts | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in English |
| Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Certificate in Career and Technical Education | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in Industrial and Technology Education |
| Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Certificate in World Languages Other Than English | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in Languages Other Than English (specify language) |
| Early Adolescence Certificate in Mathematics, or Adolescence and Young Adulthood Certificate in Mathematics | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in Mathematics |
| Early and Middle Childhood Certificate in Music, or Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Certificate in Music | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music |
| Early and Middle Childhood Certificate in Physical Education, or Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Certificate in Physical Education | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in Physical Education |
| Early Adolescence Certificate in Science, or Adolescence and Young Adulthood Certificate in Science | Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential* |
| Early Adolescence Certificate in Social Studies-History, or Adolescence and Young Adulthood Certificate in Social Science-History | Science: Biological Sciences Science: Chemistry Science: Geosciences Science: Physics Clear Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science |
* Teachers holding National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification in the area of Science will be issued the specific California science authorization based upon an out-of-state credential or official transcripts from a regionally-accredited college or university.
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