Multiple Subject Credential Programs

Multiple Subject Credential (MSC) 

The Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSC) prepares candidates to teach in elementary school from Transitional Kindergarten to fifth grade. Our credential program provides MSC candidates with the pedagogical skills and content knowledge to support the social and academic development of all children. The MSC is grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy aligned with a social justice perspective. MSC candidates develop or advance the skills needed to support educational equity for all children. We offer several program pathways to obtain the Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential.  

Twelve units of the MSC can be applied to the following: Master of Arts: Concentration in Elementary Education or to the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education. Students pursuing the Credential + MA must enroll in one of these two MA's concurrent with or within two years of completing MSC coursework.

Multiple Subject Credential (MSC), Bilingual Authorization

The MSC, Bilingual Authorization allows bilingual-biliterate candidates to obtain an additional authorization to teach in a bilingual classroom setting from Transitional Kindergarten to fifth grade. Candidates must demonstrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in the focus language (Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish).

MSC Program Options 

1. Three-semester program offers either a daytime or evening option. Candidates are placed in learning communities that allow a cohort to enroll in sequenced coursework. Candidates are placed for student teaching in socially, economically, culturally, and linguistically diverse elementary classroom settings. 

2. One-year, Summer Start Program is geared for full-time students who can immerse themselves in an intensive credential program. Students in this program are admitted beginning in the Summer term and continue into the Fall and Spring semester. Grounded in strong research-based practices and learning theories, the program provides candidates with opportunities to apply theories and instructional approaches in their student teaching practicum within weeks of starting the program. Some courses are organized in a module format allowing candidates to complete the program within one academic year. Subject Matter Competency & Basic Skills must be completed before the fall semester begins.

3. Interns: The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing provisional permit allows non-credentialed individuals to work as the teacher of record only if the teacher is enrolled in a credential program and meets other criteria. Hiring decisions are made entirely by the local school district.  If a candidate has an offer of employment and wishes to enroll in the intern program, the following conditions must be met:

a. A candidate must show evidence of completion of the Basic Skills requirement, Subject Matter Competency, and U.S. Constitution requirement;

b. A school district must offer the candidate a teaching position at an elementary school site;

c. A candidate must apply and be admitted to an accredited credential program; 

d. The candidate must complete 120 credit hours of credential coursework (equivalent to three 3-unit classes)

Once these conditions are met, the candidate must submit an application for the intern teaching permit to the Department of Elementary Education Intern Coordinator, who will review for approvals.  The Graduate College of Education Credential Analyst will then authorize the permit. 

*Note: Interns work at a slower coursework pace while in the credential program to permit full time employment  

4. Bilingual Educators for Social Transformation (BEST) Spanish/English (Three semesters)

BEST embraces concepts of social justice and equity with a focused philosophical stance representing critical pedagogy and rooted in bilingual education. BEST integrates culturally relevant pedagogy throughout coursework. The goals are to develop critical educators who are equipped with tools to analyze and develop agency about challenges Latinos have faced, while also recognizing and highlighting the successes of the Latino communities.  Candidates who complete this program receive the Multiple Subject Credential with a Bilingual Authorization in Spanish.

5. Chinese Bilingual Authorization (Three Semesters)

This option provides bilingual-bicultural courses in Chinese literacy and student teaching placement in Chinese bilingual classrooms. Students who complete this program receive the Multiple Subject Credential Program with a Bilingual Authorization in either Manadarin or Cantonese.

*Note: International students are required to be admitted into a degree program and cannot be classified as credential only.  International students interested in obtaining the Multiple Subject Credential Program must apply and be admitted to the Master of Arts Program in Education: Concentration in Elementary Education + Credential.

6. Early Childhood Education Focus, Transitional Kindergarten to Third grade. (One academic year) Fall admissions.

This option provides an ECE focus, TK to third grade. However, the MS Credential qualifies candidates to teach TK to fifth grade. It is grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy. Students enroll in sequenced courses addressing children's language and academic and social development in primary classroom settings. Several courses will have modules focusing on instructional approaches for grades 4-5. 

Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA)

All Multiple Subject credential candidates are required to pass the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) during the final student teaching phase to earn the California Multiple Subject Credential. The edTPA provides teacher preparation programs with a systemic approach to evaluate a candidate's competencies with the Teaching Performance Expectations. EED 758, the final student teaching practicum seminar, supports candidates in completing the edTPA.

GPA Requirement for the Multiple Subject Credential Program

A GPA of 3.0 or better with no grade lower than a C is required in all courses comprising the professional education sequence. A grade of CR is acceptable only if required by selected E ED courses.

Requirements for the Preliminary Credential

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. (Required for admission)
  • Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (Required for admission). Successful passage of one of the following:
    • Completion of college coursework in reading, writing, and mathematics. Courses must have been taken at a regionally-accredited college or university for credit, passed with a grade of B- or better, be degree applicable, and be at least 3 semester units or 4 quarter units. Courses must be approved by professional preparation program.
    • California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
    • CSET: Multiple Subject exam subtests I, II, and III plus CSET: Writing Skills Test
    • A Commission-approved out-of-state basic skills exam
    • CSU Early Assessment Program (EAP) Placement Test
    • Entry Level Math & English Placement Test (ELM & EPT) - Last Offered August 2017
    • College Board SAT, ACT, and College Board Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)
    • Successful completion through a combination of coursework and examination options
  • Verify Subject Matter Competence by one of the following methods (Required for admission):
    • Passage of CSET: Multiple Subject exam subtests I, II, and III
    • Completion of a Commission-approved elementary subject matter program
    • Completion of applicable coursework verified by a Commission-approved program addressing each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission in the content areas of the Multiple Subject Credential
    • Completion of a degree major in Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts or Elementary Education, or an interdisciplinary major that includes coursework in the content areas identified in subdivision (b) of California Education Code section 44282
    • Successful completion through a combination of coursework and examination options
  • Complete Certificate of Clearance (fingerprinting) process. (Required for admission)
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of the Constitution of the United States. Applicants may satisfy the U.S. Constitution requirement either by coursework or examination. Applicants who have earned a baccalaureate degree from a CSU campus have already met this requirement.
  • Level I Educational Technology requirement. Students enroll in  ITEC 711 (online) during their first or second semester or take the CSET Exams in Preliminary Educational Technology.
  • Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) examination. RICA should be taken after taking E ED 782 and E ED 737.
  • Complete a comprehensive, hands-on CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training course for infants, children, and adults. CPR card must be valid at the time of application for the Preliminary Credential. Online CPR courses are not acceptable.
  • Complete an approved program of professional preparation, including the edTPA requirement.

Multiple Subject Credential

Program

E ED 701Social, Cultural, and Historical Foundations of Education3
E ED 712Teaching Reading and Language Arts - Chinese Bilingual3
E ED 713Spanish Heritage Language for the Bilingual Teacher: I (only for the Spanish Bilingual Program)3
E ED 737Teaching Social Studies, Social Justice, and Literacy: Grades 3-63
E ED 687Seminar: Field Experience3
E ED 746Teaching Practicum Phase I3
E ED 747Teaching Practicum Phase II3
E ED 748Teaching Practicum Phase III4-7
E ED 756Teaching Practicum Seminar Phase I3
E ED 786Seminar in Developmental Teaching and Learning3
E ED 758Teaching Practicum Seminar Phase III3
E ED 777Curriculum and Instruction in Science3
E ED 782Teaching Reading and Language Arts: K-53
E ED 784Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics (CLAD Emphasis)3
ITEC 711Instructional Computing in Elementary Schools3
Total Units46-49

*Note: Students in Three-semester program take either E ED 687 or E ED 746.  Students in One-year program take only E ED 746 and E ED 748.  Total units for each program: 37-40.