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Basic Teaching Credential Programs

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

The Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (MS) authorizes the holder to provide instruction in any self-contained classroom. The MS is held primarily by elementary and early childhood teachers. Teaching majors (subject matter program*) for the MS are the Liberal Studies and Child Development Major B. In these majors, coursework is distributed among such areas as: English, mathematics/sciences, social sciences and humanities/fine arts. Regardless of major, all individuals who wish to earn a Multiple Subject Credential must pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) for Multiple Subject, in order to satisfy the subject matter competency requirement.

*Teaching majors are termed "subject matter programs." A major through an academic department is not necessarily a waiver program, i.e., a teaching major.

Education Specialist Credential

The Special Education Credentials offered at Sacramento State are the Mild-Moderate and Moderate-Severe Disabilities Specialist Credentials, Level I and Level II, and the Early Childhood Special Education Credential (ECSE), Level I and Level II. For specific information about these credentials, contact the Special Education Department Office located in Eureka Hall 316, (916) 278-6622.

Single Subject Teaching Credential

The Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to provide instruction in approved subject areas (subject matter programs*) in a departmentalized program. Almost all junior and senior high school teachers hold the Single Subject Teaching Credential. Teaching areas for this credential include: art, English, foreign languages (French, German, and Spanish), health science, home economics, mathematics, music, physical education, science (biology [or life science], chemistry, geoscience, physics [or physical science]), and social science (now available with a History Option). For the Single Subject Credential, subject matter competency may be satisfied in ONE of the following ways:

  1. Complete an approved subject matter program from an accredited California college/university or
  2. Pass the required single subject examination(s): California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) subtests in your subject area.

Students who seek an added credential authorization to teach in an additional subject area should contact the Credentials Office at (916) 278-4567 for information on added authorizations.

*Teaching majors are termed "subject matter programs." A major through an academic department is not necessarily a waiver program, i.e., a teaching major.

For more information about the teacher credential programs described below, or to apply for admission, contact the Teacher Preparation Office, Eureka Hall Room 216, at 916-278-6403.

EMPHASES THAT CAN BE ADDED TO A BASIC CREDENTIAL (EITHER MULTIPLE SUBJECT OR SINGLE SUBJECT)

Bilingual Crosscultural Language and Academic Development Emphasis (BCLAD)

The BCLAD Emphasis is a Multiple Subject and Single Subject Credential option that prepares students for a credential authorization to work with students with limited English proficiency. BCLAD authorizes the recipient to teach limited English proficient students in bilingual instructional settings in their target language, i.e., students with fluency in Spanish, and Hmong may earn a BCLAD Emphasis through the Bilingual Multicultural Education Department (BMED). Additional coursework, language proficiency and modified fieldwork experiences are required. A BCLAD authorization may only be earned by candidates who have been formally admitted to a BCLAD preparation center. Students interested can obtain additional information and advisement from the Bilingual Multicultural Education Department (BMED), located in Eureka Hall 401, (916) 278-5942.

Credential Requirements

Completion of the Preliminary Teaching Credential requires that the student:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited collegiate institution. To find more information about regionally accredited institutions accepted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), go to www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/accreditation-bodies.html
  2. Complete an approved teacher preparation program, including student teaching.
  3. Complete an approved subject matter program or pass approved subject-matter examinations (CSET.)
  4. Complete an approved course in the teaching of reading and, for Multiple Subject candidates, pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
  5. Pass a college-level course or examination on the U.S. Constitution.
  6. Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).

CSUS offers three patterns for completing the Basic Multiple Subject and Single Subject Teaching Preparation Programs:

  1. a two-semester program option.
  2. a three-semester program option.
  3. a four-semester evening program option for Multiple Subject only.

Field experience, including student teaching, is an integral part of the program leading to a Basic Credential. In the Multiple Subject Program, centers have been organized around clusters of schools in area school districts. In both the Multiple Subject and Single Subject Programs, students complete student teaching at several grade levels. All student teachers have experience working with children or youth from a broad range of cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.