Subject matter preparation requirements are governed by state legislative action and approval of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Requirements may change between catalogs. Please consult with your department credential advisor for current information.
Licensure and Credentialing
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements.
The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states' educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state's requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 §CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).
Concurrent Multiple Subject Credential and Education Specialist Credential Program Description
The Concurrent Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential and Preliminary Education Specialist Program combines special education and elementary education preparation in order to prepare future teachers to meet the diverse needs of students.
Graduates of the Concurrent program are highly sought after by California schools because they are well-prepared to teach students with disabilities, whether in a general education classroom or in specialist educational settings.
Preliminary Multiple Subject credential requirements, as well as the requirements for a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential for Mild-Moderate Support Needs, are completed through upper-division prerequisites and one academic year of coursework and student teaching. The Education Specialist credential may be used to work with students in a variety of K-12 settings.
Prerequisites for Admission to the Credential Program
All prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of C- or higher prior to beginning the credential program.
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Concurrent Credential Program Courses
Subject matter competence and basic skills requirements must be verified before applying to the program. Program starts in the fall semester only. Courses must be completed within seven years of applying for the credential.
Additional Courses - Required for a California State University, Chico Recommendation for a Credential
Complete at any time, but recommended before starting required credential courses. If courses from another university are used to satisfy prerequisites or other course requirements, an equivalency form, course descriptions, syllabi, and transcripts must be provided.
Concurrent Multiple Subject Credential and Education Specialist Credential Program Requirements
Must be accepted into the credential program in order to take these courses. Subject matter competence and basic skills requirement must be verified before applying to the program. Program starts in the fall semester only.
Concurrent Single Subject Credential and Education Specialist Credential Program Description
The Concurrent Preliminary Single Subject Credential and Preliminary Education Specialist Program combines special education and secondary education preparation in order to prepare future teachers to meet the diverse needs of students, kindergarten through grade 12.
Graduates of the concurrent program are highly sought after by California schools because they are well prepared to teach students with disabilities, whether in a general education classroom or in specialist educational settings.
Preliminary Single Subject credential requirements, as well as the requirements for a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential for Mild-Moderate Support Needs are completed through upper-division prerequisites and one academic year of coursework and student teaching. The Education Specialist credential may be used in a variety of K-12 settings.
Prerequisites for Admission to the Credential Program
All prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of C- or higher prior to beginning the credential program.
Fundamentals of Teaching Practice for Secondary Teachers
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
All courses taken to fulfill credential course requirements must be completed with a grade of C- or higher
Must attain a cumulative 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
Courses must be completed within seven years of applying for the credential.
Concurrent Credential Program Courses
Subject matter competence and basic skills requirement must be verified before applying to the program. Program starts in the fall and spring semesters. Courses must be completed within seven years of applying for the credential.
Additional Courses - Required for a California State University, Chico Recommendation for a Credential
Complete at any time, but recommended before starting required credential courses. If courses from another university are used to satisfy prerequisites or other course requirements, an equivalency form, course descriptions, syllabi, and transcripts must be provided.
Concurrent Single Subject Credential and Education Specialist Credential Program Requirements
Must be accepted into the credential program in order to take these courses. Subject matter competence and basic skills requirement must be verified before applying to the program. Program starts in spring and fall semesters.
All prerequisite courses must be completed with grades of C- or higher before taking in-program California State University, Chico credential courses.
The CSU Chancellor’s Office sets a GPA requirement each year. Please email Chico State credential services for the most current information regarding the GPA requirement.
Subject Matter Requirement (SMR) is required for admission to the credential program. You are required to meet one of the SMR options listed on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) website.
Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) is required for admission to the credential program. You are required to meet one of the BSR options on the CTC website. Basic Skills covers reading, writing, and mathematics at the high-school level.
Certificate of Clearance (fingerprint clearance) must be on file before acceptance to the credential program. More information and the application procedure can be found on the CTC website.
Credential candidates must be admitted to the University before beginning a program. Apply to Chico State as a graduate student through Cal State Apply.
A baccalaureate or higher degree, except in professional education, from a regionally accredited college or university is required in order to obtain a credential recommendation.
Candidates must reside within the Chico State services areas in order to complete the credential program.
Additional documentation and requirements are necessary for a complete application to the credential program. Begin the Chico State Credential Program Application to learn more.
All prerequisite courses are offered every semester. Apply to the credential program during the semester you will finish the prerequisite courses. Applications are due February 15 for fall semester; September 15 for spring semester. The credential application and application workshops information can be found on the Chico State School of Education website. Bilingual Authorization and Concurrent credential programs are fall start only programs, all other programs have a spring and fall start date.
