Elementary Subject Matter Competency Directions and Guide

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. Recent 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. 

Additional options for demonstration of subject matter include the following:

  • Completion of coursework addressing each of the Commission-adopted subject matter domains.
  • Completion of a combination of coursework and examination(s) that meets or exceeds the subject matter domains. 

These requests should be completed by CSULB students and/or graduates who did not pursue the Liberal Studies undergraduate degree. A CSULB-issued Student ID Number is required.

Step 1: Determine which Multiple Subject CSET subtest(s) you need an evaluation for

Students may request multiple subtests. Options Include:

  • Multiple Subject CSET I: Reading, Language & Literature; History & Social Science
  • Multiple Subject CSET II: Mathematics; Sciences
  • Multiple Subject CSET III: Visual and Performing Arts; Physical Education; Human Development.

Step 2: Gather and Review Your Academic Transcripts or Course History

Review your academic history (courses), in reference to the approved course lists provide below under each subtest. Identify courses in your academic history that you believe meet the various subject area domains. You will need to enter this information when you submit a request.

Step 3: Identify Courses in your own academic history that you believe may have met specific subject area domains.

 Use the information on the approved course lists for each subtest. You must enter one course for each domain. 

Step 4: Return to the Liberal Studies Multiple Subjects CSET Waiver Evaluation form.

 Click on ‘Other Majors or Graduates at/from CSULB’ on the accordion menu options. Click on ‘Request an Evaluation’ to begin the form and input your courses to be evaluated. 

Reading, Language, and Literature

Domain 1: Reading, Language & Literature

  • AIS 100B, AFRS 100B, ASAM 100B, CHLS 104B, OR ENGL 100B "Composition II"
  • COMM 130 "Essentials of Public Speaking" OR COMM 335 "Persuasive Speaking"
  • LING 329 "Intro to Language Acquisition", EDSP 454 "Academic Language Development & Inclusive instruction for English Language Learners" OR LING 339 "Linguistics for Cross-cultural Development"

Domain 2: Non-Written and Written Communication

  • ENGL 300 “Advanced Composition”, ENGL 309 "Applied Composition for Educators K-8", OR ENGL 310 "Applied Composition"

Domain 3: Reading Comprehension and Analysis

  • CWL 100 "Introduction to World Literature", ENGL 180 "Appreciation of Literature", ENGL 250A "Survey of English Literature", ENGL 250B "Survey of English Literature", ENGL 270A "Survey of American Literature", ENGL 270B "Survey of American Literature", ENGL 375 "U.S Ethnic Writers", ENGL 481 “Children’s Lit”

History & Social Science

Domain 1: World History

  • L/ST 250 "Early World Historical Geography", HIST 401 "History for Secondary Social Science Teachers", OR both HIST 111 "World History: Origins to 1500" or HIST 112 "World Since 1500" and GEOG 100 "World Regional Geography"
  • AFRS 119, ASAM 119, AIS 119, CHLS 119 "Introduction to Racial and Ethnic Studies" AFRS 319, ASAM 319, AIS 319, OR CHLS 319 "Racial and Ethnic Experience in the United States"

Domain 2: United States History

  • HIST 172 "Early United States History", HIST 173 "Recent United States History" OR HIST 300 "The United State Past and Present"
  • POSC 100 "Introduction to American Government", POSC 199* "Introduction to California Government", POSC 326* "California Govt in Comparative Perspective" OR POSC 399* "Introduction to California Government" (*for those with AP Govt Credit or out of state).

Domain 3: California History

  • HIST 473 "California History" OR CHLS 305 "Chicana/o and Latina/o California History"

Mathematics

Domain 1: Number Sense

  • MTED 110 "Real Number System for Elementary/Middle School Teachers" OR MATH 341 "Number Theory"

Domain 2: Algebra and Functions

  • MTED 402 "Problem Solving Applications in Mathematics for Elemen/Middle School Teachers"

Domain 3: Measurement & Geometry

  • MTED 211 "Geometry and Measurement for Elementary Teachers", MTED 312 "Geometry and Measurement for Mathematics Specialists in Elemen/Middle Schools" OR MATH 355 "College Geometry"

Domain 4: Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability

  • MTED 305 "Algebraic and Statistical Thinking for Elementary/Middle School Teachers", MATH 380 "Probability and Statistics", STAT 108 "Statistics for Everyday Life", OR STAT 381 "Mathematical Statistics"

Science

Domain 1: Physical Science 

  • PHSC 112 "Introduction to the Physical Sciences" 

Domain 2: Life Science 

  •  BIOL 200 "General Biology" 

Domain 3: Earth and Space Science 

  • GEOL 106 "Earth Science for Teachers", OR BOTH GEOL 102 and 104 "Planet Earth and Lab"

 

Visual and Performing Arts

Domain I: Dance 

  • L/ST 211 "Theater/Dance/Movement for Inclusive Elementary Classrooms", CWL 124 "Introduction to World Theatre and Drama", CWL 324 "Theater Today", DANC 110 "Viewing Dance", THEA 113 "Introduction to Acting", THEA 122 "Theatre for the 21st Century", OR THEA 324 "Theatre Today"

Domain 2: Music

  • MUS 180: "Exploring Music"

Domain 3: Theater

  • L/ST 211 "Theater/Dance/Movement for Inclusive Elementary Classrooms", CWL 124 "Introduction to World Theatre and Drama", CWL 324 "Theater Today", DANC 110 "Viewing Dance", THEA 113 "Introduction to Acting", THEA 122 "Theatre for the 21st Century", OR THEA 324 "Theatre Today"

Domain 4: Visual Arts

  • ART 300 "Art, Adolescence, and the Child"

Physical Education

Domain 1: Movement Skills and Movement Knowledge

  • KIN 300 "Biomechanics of Human Movement", KIN 301 "Exercise Physiology", KIN 312 "Motor Control and Learning", KIN 315 "Motor Development" OR KIN 476 "Physical Education for Elementary School Teachers" 

Domain 2: Self-Image and Personal Development 

  • H SC 411A "Health Science for Elementary Teachers", HSC 421 "Health Behavior", OR HDEV 307 "Approaches to Childhood" 

Domain 3: Social Development 

  • KIN 263 "Techniques of Physical Fitness", KIN 343 "Techniques and Analysis of Physical Fitness and Activity", OR KIN 476 "Physical Education for the Elementary School Teacher"

Human Development

Domain 1: Cognitive Development from Birth through Adolescence 

Domain 2: Social and Physical Development from Birth through Adolescence 

Domain 3: Influences on Development from Birth through Adolescence

  • CDFS 312 "Family & Personal Development", CDFS 314 "The Older Child", OR EDP 301 "Child Development and Learning: A Cross-Cultural Perspective"