Welcome to the Secondary Education Department
Preliminary Single Subject Credential Program
The state of California has a two-tier credential structure. A five-year preliminary credential is the first credential issued after an individual meets basic credential requirements. (A clear credential is issued when all credential requirements and a state-approved Induction Program have been completed.) A Single-Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach the specific subject(s) named on the credential in departmentalized classes such as those in most middle schools and high schools. However, a teacher authorized for single-subject instruction may be assigned to teach any subject in his or her authorized fields at any grade level: preschool, grades K–12, or in classes organized primarily for adults.
CSUN offers specialized training for secondary teachers. We have one of the largest public-university, education-credentialing programs in the state of California. As a result of our size, we are able to offer specialized instruction in the teaching of a wide range of specific subjects (see sidebar at left), rather than the generalized teaching methods taught at many institutions. Students take a subject-specific methods course with other aspiring teachers of the subject, where they learn the most up-to-date, research-based teaching methods. Student teaching is supported by university supervisors with numerous years of experience teaching the subject in secondary schools. Accompanying the student-teaching experience is a subject-specific seminar, led by an experienced subject-matter educator, with enrollment restricted to same-subject student teachers.
Pathways
CSUN offers flexibility—6 different "pathways" for earning your single-subject credential:
- Traditional—For college graduates, the traditional program allows you to complete coursework at your own pace and provides two supervised student-teaching experiences.
- Accelerated Collaborative Teacher Education Program (ACT)—For college graduates, ACT offers you a one-year, fulltime experience, with additional support activities for a cohort of students.
- Single-Subject University Internship Program (SSUIP)—For college graduates who will begin fulltime secondary teaching in an area public school, the SSUIP offers you additional support workshops and supervision in your own classroom.
- Four-Year Integrated Program (FYI): English, Mathematics, and History-Social Science ONLY—For undergraduates, FYI allows you to simultaneously earn your bachelor's degree in English, mathematics, or history and your teaching credential.
- Junior-Year Integrated Program (JYI): English, Mathematics, and History-Social Science ONLY—Same as FYI, but with entry at the junior year.
- Dual Single-Subject/Education Specialist Credential Program—For college graduates, the Dual program allows you to earn both the Single-Subject and Education-Specialist Credentials in two years.
Professional Opportunities & Scholarships
- Teach for LAUSD (.pdf)
- LAUSD Talent Acquisition Specialists for CSUN:
- Scholarships, grants, and special programs
- Opportunities for Science Teachers
You can also see the Credential Office website for more information on our programs.