Appropriate Degrees to Satisfy Subject Matter Competence

California Education Code requires that all candidates for a teaching credential must demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter area of their intended credential. The subject matter competence requirement can be met in several ways, including: passing examination scores, completion of a Commission-approved subject matter program, applicable coursework, a degree major in one of the statutory subjects, or a combination of coursework and examination options.

The sortable table below displays the degree majors that may be accepted under the academic degree major option to satisfy the subject matter competence requirement for earning a credential in the subject area listed, as well as some degree majors that are unacceptable. This table is intended to provide guidance and is not an exhaustive list. For candidates who have degree majors in areas that are in the unacceptable column, this means that these majors are not acceptable under the degree option, however some of the courses that a candidate has taken for completion of these and other degrees may satisfy some subject matter requirements under the transcript review process. For that process, please contact a Commission approved preparation program.

The following are acceptable:

• Any degree major that includes the name of the subject area of the single subject credential
• “Applied” majors (e.g. Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics)
• Exact majors in one of the single subject areas that may have additional modifiers (e.g., Biology: Environmental Biology; Art: Art History; and Physical Education: Kinesiology)

Note:

• Degrees must have been earned at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• For questions related to degrees not listed, Contact Credentialing.