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Subject Matter Requirements

Required for Admission to the Single Subject Credential Program

The Single Subject (SS) Credential program offers five options to meet the Subject Matter Requirement (SMR). Each option has specific requirements and verification processes. Candidates should choose the path that best aligns with their educational background and career goals. View each option below and see which fits your pathway.

Admission Options

  

Option 1: CTC Approved Subject Matter Preparation Program

Completion of a subject matter program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. At CSUSB, we have approved subject matter programs in the following areas:

  • Art (Visual Studies/Art Education)
  • English (English Teacher Preparation Program)
  • Mathematics (Teaching Mathematics)
  • Music (Pre-Certification Music Education)
  • Kinesiology (Physical Education & Adapted Physical Education)
  • History (Pre-Credential Concentration)
  • Spanish (Hispanic Language, Literature & Civilization)

Single Subject Credential program candidates that complete a CTC approved subject matter program outside of CSUSB, must submit an official subject matter verification letter signed by the authorized representative.

Single Subject Credential program candidates that are completing the CSUSB subject matter program may provide a copy of an unofficial transcript stating the name of the CTC approved program/major concentration.

Single Subject Credential program candidates seeking to have transcripts evaluated to determine if they have completed the equivalency of our commission approved subject matter preparation program in Art, English, History, Kinesiology and Mathematics should submit by email a Request for Approved Subject Matter Competency Evaluation to the Credential Processing at credrec@csusb.edu.  This evaluation service is available only to bachelor’s degree graduates of the CSU system. 

Option 2: Bachelor or Higher Degree in the Exact Subject Area

Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. For single subject credentials, a major in one of the exact subject areas in which the commission credentials candidates.  Degree must be in an academic major that is an exact match to the title of the subject matter in the credential.

Applicable Degree Majors:  

  • Art
  • English
  • World Languages (French, Spanish)
  • Mathematics
    • Foundational-Level Mathematics: an academic degree major in a related degree major by a college or university mathematics department.
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Science
    • Biological Science
    • Chemistry
    • Geoscience
    • Physics
    • Foundational-Level Science: an academic degree major in any type of engineering or any degree major offered by a college or university science department.
  • Social Science
Option 3: Passage of the CSET Exam

Passage of a subject matter examination, the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). CSUSB Single Subject Credential candidates using the CSET exam to satisfy SMR must pass all subtests and submit official scores with their application. 

Option 4: Coursework Aligned to the Subject Matter Domains
Option #4
Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in a content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation.
 
Candidates wishing to use this option must send an email to WCOEAdmissions@csusb.edu to obtain the domains evaluation form and information about the submission process. Evaluations typically take 4-6 weeks to complete (may take longer during summer and winter breaks).
Listed below are the CSUSB Subject Areas with links to the required coursework to meet the subject matter domains as determined by Subject Area Faculty in each content area.
  • Art
  • English
  • Math & Foundational-Level Math
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Science
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Geoscience
    • Physics
    • Foundational-Level Science
  • Social Science
  • Theater
  • World Languages
    • French
    • Spanish
Option 5: Combination of Coursework & Exam
Option #5
Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements for Multiple Subject, adopted by the Commission in a content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation.
 
Subject matter may be met through coursework and Multiple Subject CSET exams that meet or exceed the subject matter domains.  Candidates may have their transcripts evaluated to meet one or more CSET subtests if they have sufficient qualifying coursework in the subject matter domains.  
 
Candidates wishing to use this option must send an email to WCOEAdmissions@csusb.edu to obtain the domains evaluation form and information about the submission process. Evaluations typically take 4-6 weeks to complete (may take longer during summer and winter breaks).
 
 
Questions? 
We invite you to attend an information session to obtain further explanations on each of these options.

Subject Matter Waiver Preparation Programs 

To meet Subject Matter Competency requirement, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) has approved CSUSB in the following subject matter waiver preparation content areas: 

Single Subject Credential Degree Major 
Art B.A. Art (Art Education concentration) 
English B.A. English (ETPP) 
Foreign LanguageB.A. Spanish (Hispanic Language, Literature and Civilization - Teaching) 
Mathematics B.S. Mathematics - Teaching Concentration (BSTC) 
Social ScienceB.A. History (Pre-credential Concentration)
Music B.A. Music (BA of Music) 
Physical Education B.S. Kinesiology (Pedagogy) 
TheaterB.S. Theater (TDED)