Subject Matter Competency (SMC)
California Education code requires that all candidates for a teaching credential, including special education, demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter of their intended credential. There are different options on how a candidate might meeet subject matter depending on the the teaching credential they are seeking.
Subject matter competency is subject to review and approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).
Options for Meeting Subject Matter Competency
- Degree Major Verification
- Subject Matter Program
- Coursework Verification
- Exam - CSETs
- Combination of exams and coursework
Submitting a Subject Matter Verification Request
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ only provides verification to current ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ students.
Subject matter coursework, degree major, or multiple subject degree content verifications by ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ are only valid for credential recommendations by ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥. A subject matter waiver signed by the ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Credential Analyst may be used to apply at another institution.
The approximate processing time for a SM degree major or degree major content verification is 2-3 weeks.
By clicking the any of the verification form buttons you will be taken to the Kuali
platform where you will enter the information to submit your request. You will be
notified via your ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ email when your evaluation is complete.
Full coursework verifications may take 4-6 weeks to evaluate.
If requesting a full coursework verification form, you will be emailed the form and need to attach catalog descriptions and unofficial transcripts and return those documents via email to the appropriate evaluator. Once your evaluation is complete you will be emailed your evaluation results.
Degree Major Verification
A baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education aligned to the credential being sought.- For Multiple Subject: A major in Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts, or Elementary Education ().
- For Single Subject Credential: a degree major in one of the subject named in Education
Code section ; Agriculture, Art, Business, Dance, English, World Language, Health Science, Home
Economics, Industrial and Technology Education, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education,
Science - Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience or Earth and Space Science, Social Science,
or Theater. ().
Please note Dance and Theater are not currently available for single subject credential seekers.
- For Education Specialist (Special Ed): Either a multiple subject or Single Subject degree major.
Please refer to the list of aligned degree majors to verify your major prior to submitting for degree verification.
Multiple Subject Degree Content Verification (Coursework Lite)
A candidate who is seeking a multiple subject credential or education specialist credential but does not have the exact title of the approved majors may submit for a degree major content verification if their major 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 ().For a list of approved courses please refer to the approved course list for multiple subject degree content.
Subject Matter Program
To meet subject matter competency via a subject matter program you must obtain a subject matter waiver letter from a CTC approved subject matter program. These program are generally completed at the undergraduate level through a bachelor's degree program.
If you completed a subject matter approved program, please contact the institution you attended for a letter. See .
The degree major chair or credential department is normally able to provide the Subject Matter Waiver Letter. The institution's Credential Analyst's signature must be on the Subject Matter Waiver letter if the waiver letter is granted from an institution other than ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥.
A Subject Matter Waiver of at least 80% may be used to be considered for program admission; however, 100% Subject Matter Waiver must be obtained to complete a credential program if admitted to or to qualify to be intern ready if admitted.
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Subject Matter Waiver Programs:
- Art
- English
- Liberal Studies
- Math
- Social Science
- Spanish
ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Undergraduates: please contact your degree program’s chair to obtain a Subject Matter Waiver Letter.
- (Social Science)
- (Spanish)
Coursework Verification
Coursework must be completed from a a regionally accredited institution that addresses all domains of subject matter requirements in the content area of the credential sought as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation. See .Coursework Verification Forms
Please email Dr. Stacy Schmidt, sschmidt3@csub.edu, to request a coursework verification form if you do not see the content area you are seeking listed. In your email please make sure to include the subject matter you are requesting a coursework verification for.
Exams
The California Subject Examinations for Teachers® (CSET) have been developed by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for prospective teachers to meet subject matter competency requirements for certification by taking examinations.
Each examination consists of subtests. The number of subtests varies by subject matter. You may register to take one or all the subtests together. Depending on the subject matter exams may have limited testing windows. In addition, some exams are available for in-person testing only, others may be available via online proctoring.
The CSET website has lists of preparation materials that may aid you in preparing for your exams. There is also a .
For registration, fees, and testing information, visit .
Combination of Coursework/Exam
Through a combination of the methods described in subject matter program, subject matter exams, and in whole or in part, has met or exceeded each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282 for multiple and single subject credentials, or pursuant to Section 44265 for education specialist credentials. See .Coursework/Exam Options:
Please email Dr. Stacy Schmidt, sschmidt3@csub.edu, to request a coursework verification form if you do not see the content area you are seeking listed. In your email please make sure to include the subject matter you are requesting a coursework verification for.
Questions?
Antelope Valley Campus
Dr. Stacy Schmidt, sschmidt3@csub.edu
Bakersfield Campus
Ms. Holly Gonzales, hgonzales@csub.edu