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
Statutory SubjectApplicable Degree MajorUnacceptable Degree Major/ Requires Coursework Evaluation
Agriculture
  • Agriculture
  • Agricultural Management
  • Agricultural Mechanics
  • Agricultural Science
  • Animal Science
  • Forestry
  • Horticulture
  • Landscaping
  • Plant Science
Art
  • Art
  • Art: Art History
  • Art: Fine Arts
  • Art: Ceramics
  • Studio Art
  • Art History
  • Art Appreciation
  • Art Theory
  • Commercial Art
  • Fine Arts
  • Visual Art
  • Animation
  • Ceramics
  • Costume Design
  • Design
  • Drawing
  • Film Studies
  • Humanities
  • Illustration
  • Interior Decoration
  • Leathermaking
  • Painting
  • Photography
  • Sculpture
  • Stagecraft
Business
  • Business 
  • Business Administration
  • Business Communications
  • Business Mathematics
  • Business Management
  • Business Marketing
  • Accounting
  • Consumer Education
  • Economics
  • Marketing
  • Sports Management
Dance
  • Dance
  • Folk/Traditional Dance
  • Modern Dance
  • Composition and Production
  • Hip Hop
  • Ballet
  • Jazz
  • World Music
English
  • English
  • English Literature
  • Composition
  • Creative Writing
  • Forensics
  • Humanities
  • Journalism
  • Literature
  • Philosophy
  • Poetry
  • Public Speaking
  • Speech
Health
  • Health Science
  • Child Development
  • Family Life
  • Human Sexuality
  • Nutrition
Home Economics
  • Home Economics
  • Family and Consumer Science
  • Child Development
  • Consumer Education
  • Family Life
  • Human Development
  • Interior Design
  • Nutrition
  • Parenting
  • Textiles
Industrial and Technology Education
  • Industrial and Technology Education
  • Automotive Mechanics
  • Carpentry
  • Computer Technology
  • Construction
  • Drafting
  • Electricity
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Industrial Design
  • Millwork
  • Photography
  • Radio and Television
  • Technical Science/Power Mechanics
  • Welding
Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Basic or General Mathematics
  • Consumer Mathematics
  • Mathematical Analysis
  • Algebra
  • Calculus
  • Computer Science
  • Geometry
  • Trigonometry
Foundational Level Mathematics
  • Mathematics
  • Statistics
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Basic or General Mathematics
  • Consumer Mathematics
  • Mathematical Analysis
Examples of unacceptable degrees may be added to this list as they are identified.
Music
  • Music
  • Instrumental Music
  • Interdisciplinary Music Studies
  • Music Appreciation
  • Music Composition
  • Music Technology
  • Music Theory
  • Musical Theater
  • Vocal Music

Examples of unacceptable degrees may be added to this list as they are identified.

Physical Education
  • Physical Education
  • Physical Education: Kinesiology
  • Aquatics
  • Gymnastics
  • Interscholastic Sports
  • Kinesiology
  • Motor Development
  • Nutrition
  • Physical Conditioning
  • Weightlifting
Science: Biological Science
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Engineering
  • Biological Science
  • Neurobiology
  • Anatomy
  • Botany
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Evolution
  • Genetics
  • Physiology
  • Zoology
Science: Chemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Qualitative Analysis
  • Quantitative Analysis
  • Structure and Stability
Science: Geosciences
  • Geology
  • Earth Science
  • Geoscience
  • Astronomy
  • Cosmology
  • Forestry
  • Meteorology
  • Oceanography
  • Paleontology
Science: Physics
  • Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Applied Physics
  • Energy
  • Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics
Foundational Level General Science
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Geology
  • Engineering (any type)
  • Other degree major offered by a college or university science department
Examples of unacceptable degrees may be added to this list as they are identified.
Social Science
  • Social Science
  • American Democracy
  • American Government
  • Anthropology
  • California History
  • Criminal Justice
  • Cultural Studies
  • Economics
  • Ethnic Studies
  • Geography
  • Government
  • History
  • Humanities
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Military Science
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Sociology
  • US History
  • World History
Theater
  • Theater
  • Drama
  • Theater Arts
  • Arts in Theater
  • Musical Theater
  • Acting
  • Directing
  • Performance and Production
  • Improvisation
  • Playwriting
  • Stagecraft
  • Costume Design
World Languages
  • Baccalaureate Degree in a World Language matching the Single Subject World Language of the credential being sought
  • For World Language: English Language Development:
    • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
    • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)
  • For World Language: Mandarin or World Language: Cantonese:
    • Chinese
Examples of unacceptable degrees may be added to this list as they are identified.
Multiple Subject
  • Liberal Studies
  • Liberal Studies: Urban Education
  • Liberal Studies: Elementary Education
  • Liberal Arts
  • Elementary Education
  • Child Development
  • Early Childhood Education

 

Updated December 05, 2024