Credential Programs
Subject Matter Requirements
The California Education Code requires teaching credential candidates to demonstrate proficiency in the subject matter area of their intended credential through subject matter programs, examinations or relevant coursework.
Options for Meeting Subject Matter Requirements
The following table outlines the various options for meeting Subject Matter. Applicants only need to meet one of these options:
| # | Option | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Completion of a subject matter program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing | Attach transcripts to your program application |
| 2 | Passage of the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) (Not applicable to PK-3) |
Attach CSET scores to your program application |
| 3 | Through a major that matches a credential subject matter area offered by the commission |
Review the Meeting Subject Matter through Major section below. Attach transcripts to your program application |
| 4 | Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited higher education institutions addressing each domain of the subject matter requirements |
Review the Meeting Subject Matter through Coursework Review section below. If you clear the review, attach the email that you received from Kremen to your program application |
| 5 | Meeting all domains through a combination of coursework and the CSET | Review the Meeting Subject Matter through Coursework Review section below. If you clear the review, attach the email that you received from Kremen to your program application |
Meeting Subject Matter through Major
With the passing of AB 130, it is possible to meet subject matter through a major that matches the majors specified in the legislation.
- The major match should be done by the approved teacher education program where you will be completing your credential as the Credential Analyst of that institution must verify the major match when recommending you for a credential at the end of your program.
- The major must be from a regionally accredited university and the academic degree major must match the subject area of the credential being sought.
- Submitted transcripts must show your degree pathway.
This option is currently available for candidates who have completed an academic degree in a major that exactly matches one of those identified in the law as indicated below. Review the requirements in the dropdown menu that corresponds to the credential program you will be applying to.
Subject Matter for Multiple Subject and Dual Credentials may be met by the following majors:
- Liberal Arts
- Liberal Studies
- Elementary Education
AB 130 also allows for a bachelor’s degree or higher in a major that includes all of the subject areas identified in Education Code §44282(b): language studies, literature, mathematics, science, social studies, history, arts, physical education and human development.
Subject Matter may be met for PK-3 by one of the following majors:
- Child Development
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Human Development
- Early Childhood Education
- Child and Family Studies
- Early Childhood Studies
- Human Development and Family Science
- Family Science
- Child, Adolescent and Family Studies
If the applicant does not meet Subject Matter by major, they will need to have 24 semester units or the equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable coursework in Early Childhood Education and/or Child Development from a regionally accredited, CCTC-approved institution.
The major must match in one of the subjects named in Education Code section 44257(a). Additionally, any degree major that includes the name of the subject area of the single subject credential will meet subject matter. The credential areas that Fresno State’s Teacher Education Program offers are:
- Agriculture
- Art
- Biological Sciences: Biology, Biological Engineering, or Biochemistry
- Chemistry: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry
- Dance
- English
- Geoscience: Geology or Earth Science
- Industrial Technology
- Mathematics: A degree in Statistics or Applied Mathematics is also acceptable
- Music
- Physical Education: May say "Kinesiology" if it also says "Physical Education" as part of the degree
- Physics: Physics, Mechanical or Structural Engineering
- Social Science: Must say "Social Science" or student may request a course review
- Theatre
- World Language - French or Spanish. Example: a major in Spanish would meet subject matter for World Language: Spanish.
Meeting Subject Matter through Coursework Review
Coursework may now be used to meet subject matter for a particular credential type instead of CSET or an approved subject matter program. A combination of CSET and coursework may also be used; however, the domains covered by a particular CSET subtest must all be met by coursework in lieu of taking that subtest.
Important: Coursework reviews will only be completed for candidates who intend to apply to
Fresno State's Credential program.
Plan Ahead: It is recommended that you complete your request at least one month ahead of the application
deadline.
If you are interested in having your coursework evaluated for subject matter proficiency, please complete the form below.
Request a coursework evaluation