Program Overview

Introduction to the Single Subject Credential Program

The Single Subject Credential Program (SSCP) at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is designed to prepare candidates to teach specific subjects in departmentalized schools, typically found in California high schools, junior high, and middle schools. This program leads to the issuance of the Preliminary Single Subject Credential from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Program Overview

The SSCP is a self-paced program that can be completed in three semesters (a year and a half) if attended full-time, but it is also possible to attend part-time. Candidates are allowed seven years from program admittance to complete the program. Each course is valid for seven years from the semester it is taken, and the program must be completed prior to courses expiring to avoid having to retake them.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the SSCP, candidates must:

• Receive a "B" or better in EDSS 300.
• Complete the Basic Skills Requirement, typically satisfied through a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited US institution or equivalent.
• Submit a completed application via MyCED, including all required documents and signatures.
• Have a valid Certificate of Clearance, 30-Day Substitute Permit, Activity Supervisor Permit, or Child Development Permit issued by the CTC.
• Submit the name and email address of a recommender who can speak to the candidate's ability to work with children, teaching potential, and overall professionalism.

Program Courses

The SSCP consists of a total of 45 units over nine courses, including one pre-requisite, four co-requisites, four core courses, and a student teaching seminar course. The program includes:

• Pre-requisite: EDSS 300 (Introduction to Teaching), which requires 35 hours of fieldwork.
• Co-requisites: Courses such as HSC 411B (Health Science for Secondary Teachers), EDSP 355B (Collaborative Models of Inclusive Education), EDP 301/302/305 (Child Development and Learning or Early and Late Adolescent Development or Educational Psychology), and a Level I Technology course.
• Core Courses: EDSE 435 (US Secondary Schools: Intercultural Education), EDSE 436 (Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Classroom Management), EDSE 458/459 (Reading and Writing in Secondary School), and EDSS 450 (Curriculum and Methods in Teaching).
• Student Teaching: EDSS 472A and EDSS 472B, along with the student teaching seminar course EDSS 473.

Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culminating field experience in the SSCP, completed during the final semester of the program. Candidates enroll in a total of 18 units, including EDSS 472A, EDSS 472B, and the student teaching seminar course EDSS 473. Student teachers must be matriculated CSULB students and cannot be enrolled through Open University.

Program Policies

The SSCP has various policies, including those related to program admission, course grades, clinical practice, course equivalency, residency requirements, and student teaching. Candidates must maintain a "B" average in all program courses, with no grade lower than a "C," and must complete all coursework within seven years of initiating the program.

Internship Pathway

The SSCP offers an Internship Pathway for candidates who have been admitted to the program, hold a bachelor's degree, and have met all internship eligibility requirements. Interns must find their own employment and complete an additional intern application with the SSCP and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Internship Pathway includes the same 45 units as the traditional SSCP and allows candidates to finish the remaining program courses and student teaching requirements while employed as an intern teacher.

Admission to the University and Program

Admission to the SSCP and the university are separate processes. Candidates typically apply to the university first and then to the program. The university application deadline is firm, and applications will not be accepted after the deadline. Program admission requires completing the pre-requisite course EDSS 300 with a minimum grade of "B," satisfactorily completing the 35-hour fieldwork requirement, and attaining a grade point average of at least 2.5 in an acceptable earned baccalaureate degree.

Course Equivalencies

The SSCP allows a maximum of 9 units of course equivalencies from other institutions. Candidates can submit a Request for Course Equivalency form along with supporting documentation, such as unofficial transcripts and course descriptions, to determine if a previously taken course is equivalent to a required SSCP course. Certain courses have been pre-approved as course equivalencies, and candidates can submit a Course Equivalency Petition Form to have these courses waived.

SSCP Cooperating Teacher Overview

The SSCP relies on cooperating teachers to host and mentor student teachers. Cooperating teachers are expected to provide guidance, support, and feedback to student teachers, and to complete formal assessments, including midterm and final evaluations. The SSCP provides resources and support for cooperating teachers, including a student teaching handbook and professional learning opportunities.

Conclusion

The Single Subject Credential Program at CSULB is a comprehensive program designed to prepare candidates to teach specific subjects in departmentalized schools. The program includes a range of courses, clinical practice, and student teaching, and offers an Internship Pathway for eligible candidates. With its rigorous curriculum and supportive faculty, the SSCP is an excellent choice for those seeking to become effective and inspiring teachers.