Program Overview

Introduction to the Single Subject Teaching Credential

The Single Subject Teaching Credential is designed for individuals who want to teach a specific subject, such as Mathematics, English, Science, History, or Physical Education, at the middle school or high school level. This credential prepares educators to deliver engaging, subject-focused instruction while supporting the academic and social-emotional development of adolescent learners.

Program Overview

Single Subject Credential teachers are prepared to:

• Teach one specific subject in departmentalized classrooms (grades 612)
• Engage students through deep content knowledge and innovative pedagogy
• Create culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable learning environments
• Foster critical thinking, collaboration, and academic confidence in adolescents
• Prepare students for college, careers, and civic life through subject mastery

Key Features of the Single Subject Credential Pathway

• Authorizes instruction in middle and high school settings (grades 612)
• Available in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, World Languages, Physical Education, Art, and more
• Includes supervised clinical practice in a subject-specific classroom
• Emphasizes strategies for teaching diverse learners and multilingual students
• Offers pathways through traditional post-baccalaureate programs, intern programs, or integrated undergraduate programs (ITEPs)

Credential Requirements

The candidate must complete all of the following requirements:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
• Completion of a Commission-approved subject matter program or its equivalent
• Completion of a Commission-approved Single Subject Credential preparation program
• Passage of a Commission-approved Teaching Performance Assessment
• Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) examination or a Commission-approved literacy assessment aligned with the requirements of Education Code section 44320.3