Multiple Subject Credential Program

The Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSC) prepares candidates to teach in self-contained elementary school from 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.  

15 units of the MSC can be applied to the Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction, either through admission to the combined Credential/MA pathway or by transferring into the MA program upon completion of the preliminary credential coursework.

MSC Program Options 

1. Three-semester program (fall admission only): Students engage in sequenced coursework with a cohort of peers, forming a supportive learning community. Students in this program complete three phases of student teaching, at increasing levels of responsibility, in socially, economically, culturally, and linguistically diverse elementary classroom settings. 

2. One-year, Summer Start Program allows full-time students to complete all preliminary credential requirements in one academic year (summer, fall spring). Coursework and student teaching are structured to support student success in a condensed timeframe.  

3. Interns: The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing provisional permit ("Intern Credential) 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. To pursue this option, candidates must first be admitted to one of the options above, complete all pre-conditions for the intern credential, and receive an offer of employment from a partner district. The department's intern coordinator will then work with the candidate to develop a modified completion pathway that meets the needs of full-time teachers

Application Requirements for the Preliminary Credential

In addition to completion of all required coursework, students must complete the following requirements prior to applying for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. (Required for admission)
  • 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 (fulfilled through completion of E ED 758)
  • 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.
  • Completion of CalTPA Multiple Subjects Cycles 1 and 2. Students are supported to complete these assessments through coursework but are responsible for registering for, submitting, and receiving passing scores in order to apply for the preliminary teaching credential.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply knowledge of students, including their prior experiences, interests, and social-emotional learning needs, as well as their funds of knowledge and cultural, language, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to engage them in learning.
  2. Promote students' social-emotional growth, development, and individual responsibility using positive interventions and supports, restorative justice, and conflict resolution practices to foster a caring community where each student is treated fairly and respectfully by adults and peers.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of subject matter, including the adopted California State Standards and curriculum frameworks.
  4. Locate and apply information about students' current academic status, content- and standards-related learning needs and goals, assessment data, language proficiency status, and cultural background for both short-term and long-term instructional planning purposes.
  5. Apply knowledge of the purposes, characteristics, and appropriate uses of different types of assessments (e.g., diagnostic, informal, formal, progress-monitoring, formative, summative, and performance) to design and administer classroom assessments, including use of scoring rubrics.
  6. Reflect on their own teaching practice and level of subject matter and pedagogical knowledge to plan and implement instruction that can improve student learning.
  7. Plan and implement evidence-based literacy instruction (and integrated content and literacy instruction) grounded in an understanding of applicable literacy-related standards and the themes of the California English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework (Foundational Skills, Meaning Making, Language Development, Effective Expression, and Content Knowledge) and their integration.

Multiple Subject Credential – 35 units minimum

A GPA of 3.0 or better with no grade lower than a C is required in all courses. A grade of CR is acceptable only in courses graded on a CR/NC basis.

Core Courses (25 units minimum)

E ED 642Content Knowledge and Teaching Practices: Elementary School1-3
E ED 701Social, Cultural, and Historical Foundations of Education3
E ED 737Teaching Social Studies, Social Justice, and Literacy: Grades 3-63
E ED 756Teaching Practicum Seminar Phase I3
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 Mathematics3
E ED 786Seminar in Developmental Teaching and Learning3

Teaching Practicums (10 units) 

Select 10 units from the courses below with the help of an advisor:

E ED 687Seminar: Field Experience3
E ED 746Teaching Practicum Phase I3-4
E ED 747Teaching Practicum Phase II3
E ED 748Teaching Practicum Phase III3-7