Subject Matter Competency

California Education Code requires that all candidates for a teaching credential must demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter area of their intended credential.  Action by the Governor and the Legislature on AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021) has expanded the ways in which candidates may demonstrate subject matter proficiency.  

For the Education Specialist Credential Program (ESCP), subject matter competency may be demonstrated through either the Multiple Subject Credential Pathways or through any one of the Single Subject Credential pathways as listed below:  

1) Completion of a subject matter program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. At CSULB, our Liberal Studies program is the approved Elementary Subject Matter Program.  We also have many approved Single Subject Subject Matter Preparation Programs.  
 
2) Passage of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). For Multiple Subject, candidates must pass the CSET Multiple Subject Subtest 101, 214 and 225. For Single Subject, candidates must pass all required subtest for any of the areas that a Single Subject Credential is offered.   

3) Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following degree majors, as applicable: 

  • For multiple subject credential candidates, a baccalaureate or higher degree with a major in Liberal Studies or Education.
  • For single subject candidates, baccalaureate or higher degree in an academic major in one of the subject areas that the commission credential candidates. 

4) Through completion of coursework aligned with the subject matter domains. Multiple Subject candidates wishing to use this option must request an evaluation from the Department of Liberal Studies. Multiple Subject Evaluations are only available to current CSULB students that are enrolled in the ESCP pre-requisite courses. 

Single Subject candidates may view the coursework domain requirements on the SSCP Subject Matter Competency website and request an evaluation of your transcripts through the Subject Matter Waiver Evaluation process listed on the SSCP website.

5) Through a combination of coursework and CSET exams. Candidates may mix and match coursework and CSET exams. For more information on how to request an evaluation for satisfying one or more of the CSET subtests via coursework, see the Department of Liberal Studies website or the SSCP Subject Matter Competency website.