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Secondary / Single-Subject Credentials

I am interested in obtaining a California teaching credential but have not completed a professional preparation program in California or any other state.

You are not eligible to apply for a teaching credential at this time. You must complete a professional teacher preparation program, including successful student teaching, at the level you wish to teach. Programs will vary slightly from college to college, but all programs will include specific requirements established by the Commission. For additional information, please refer to the links below:

• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (Elementary - California trained) [PDF]

• Single Subject Teaching Credential (Secondary - California trained) [PDF]

• District Intern Programs for Elementary and Secondary Education (alternative program) [PDF]

• University Internship Programs (alternative program) [PDF]

• Commission-Approved Teacher Preparation Programs

• Terms and Definitions



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
Subject Matter Competence
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.

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Updated April 11, 2008