Multiple Subject Credential

Multiple Subject Credential Program students typically complete all of the requirements in 3 full time semesters. This program prepares students to obtain their preliminary credential to teach in K-8 schools, learn to engage in social justice practices, contribute to the development of cultural literacy, provide education that promotes democracy, and develop content knowledge expertise to teach in urban and suburban schools.

Courses will prepare students to provide instruction for English Learners and students with special needs. They will also learn to set up a supportive classroom environment based on social emotional learning principles and will experience collaborative co-teaching experiences with successful mentor/cooperating teachers in the field.

Our Master of Arts Teaching (MAT) degree program, prepares students to engage in social justice teaching practices, contribute to the development of cultural literacy, provide education that promotes democracy, and develop content knowledge expertise to teach in urban and suburban schools. Single Subject Credential Program students can also earn our MA in Teaching by completing an additional research requirement and culminating experience requirement, consisting of either a thesis or project.

Our Critical Bilingual Authorization Pathway (CBAP), Bilingüismo y Justicia, prepares teachers to obtain an authorization to serve in dual immersion or bilingual school settings in California. The pathway specializes candidates in pedagogy, practices, and ability to identify linguistic assets and potential for students and empowers candidates to be   in their own context.

We are not an intern-focused program. However, we do offer an intern pathway program for multiple subject candidates on a limited basis for qualified students. Our Intern Pathway is designed for individuals who have successful prior experience with lead-teaching in a K-12 classroom and who seek an alternative route to earning their preliminary credential. The Intern program provides qualified candidates who are offered a teaching position an opportunity to complete the credential program as a contracted (paid) teacher under an Internship Credential. Intern candidates receive support from a university field supervisor and an on-site coach from the school while completing their credential coursework.

- For new students, this is a 4-5 semester program of study, depending on MA options.

- For current students who are completing their final phase of student teaching, they will complete the program over 1-2 additional semesters, depending on MA options.

- For current students who have completed the foundations coursework and are accepted as interns for both phases of student teaching, you will complete the program over an additional 1-3 semesters, depending on MA options. Roadmap linked here [pdf].

Our yearlong Teacher Residency Program is an accelerated course of study that centers on a yearlong student teaching placement at a single school site and enables residents to:

• Develop yearlong relationships with their students
• Work with the same mentor teacher for the year
• Experience the entire curriculum in the placement classroom
• Finish our credential program in 13 months
• Priority hiring in your district or partner district
• Get your tuition, books, and fees fully paid (both for credential and MAT, with or without Bilingual Authorization) and receive an additional $5,000 economic stipend for your living expenses as a Teacher Resident
• You can apply for nay other scholarships and grants to supply additional funds

Go to the Cal State Apply website, select the term you are applying for at the top of the page, and create your account. Apply for the Multiple Subject Credential Program in CalState Apply. Our credential program includes the Master's in Teaching (MAT) degree, which you earn simultaneously alongside earning your credential.

- If you intend to apply for the combined Credential/Masters program, please search for and indicate the credential program as this refers to the combined program. Be sure your extended profile indicates teaching credential NOT graduate as your degree goal. You may opt out of the MAT degree if desired, once you are enrolled.

- If you have any trouble with navigating your CalState Apply application, please contact grad-admissions@sjsu.edu.

- If you have questions about admission documents or requirements, read step 3 below or email teacher-education@sjsu.edu.

Applicants should receive an email from SJSU confirming that your application has been received approximately 1 week after your CalState Apply online application is submitted. Once you receive that confirmation email, you will receive an SJSU ID number and access to your MySJSU account and email.

Official transcripts must be received by Graduate Admissions by the 20th day of the month of your application deadline. Please request your transcripts just prior to or when you submit your application. 

If your university offers official electronic transcripts, we will accept this method of delivery. Please direct your university to email the electronic transcript to etranscript@sjsu.edu.

All mailed transcripts must be sealed and unopened to be accepted as official documents. Transcripts sent by mail should be sent to:

Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluations
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA 95192-0017

SJSU students do not have to submit SJSU transcripts with your application.

International Applicants: Please see International Steps to Admission and SJSU International Student Success Center for additional advising or support.

If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please contact SJSU Graduate Admissions.

The Basic Skills Requirement must be met at the time of application. Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education to serve as demonstration of basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics. International transcripts must be evaluated by WES (preferred), ACEI, or ECE, and the evaluation must determine that the degree is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution. 

There are 3 steps to obtaining your Certificate of Clearance (CoC). Do not wait until the last minute to request this item, as it can take weeks for the CTC to issue.

Step 1 | Live Scan Service

- Visit https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/locations for Live Scan Service locations. Live Scan Services may also be available at the SJSU Police Department. Call (408) 924-2172. You can complete your Live Scan fingerprinting anywhere in California.

- Print three copies of the Request for Live Scan Service form [form 41-LS] and take it with you to your Live Scan appointment.

- You must have a dedicated Live Scan that goes to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing--fingerprinting done for other organizations or districts is not transferable.

Step 2 | Certificate of Clearance Application

- After you’ve completed your Live Scan, complete and submit the CTC Online Application for the Certificate of Clearance (CoC). The fee for a CoC application is payable by credit card only.

- When your CoC is issued, you will receive an email. You can view and download the document on the CTC website.

Step 3 | Upload Your Certificate of Clearance

Upload a PDF of your Certificate of Clearance to your Cal State Apply application.

Notes:

- An emergency sub permit or a Child Development permit may be submitted in lieu of the Certificate of Clearance, as long as you ensure the department always has a current, valid copy.   

- In order to get a Certificate of Clearance, you must have a US Social Security or Tax Identification Number. International Applicants are required to meet with SJSU International Student Services to confirm that this is possible on their particular visa.

-SB 695 confirms that an applicant does not need to disclose citizenship or immigration status for purposes of licensure, and may not be denied certification based solely on his or her citizenship status or immigration status. Applicants without a social security number may use an ITIN (Tax ID number) to apply for their Certificate of Clearance, and later their credential. (9/27/18)

- In addition to the required Certificate of Clearance, most school districts also require a district-level clearance prior to student teaching. Candidates may not begin their field placement without having both CCTC and, if required, district-level clearance.

- A copy of your Livescan Fingerprinting receipt is not sufficient for admission, as this is only Step 1 of getting this document.

Prepare a one-page resume that details your college-level academic, employment, and volunteer experiences. For each position you held, highlight the duties you performed and any accomplishments you achieved. Upload your resume as a PDF.

- Your essay should be 1-2 pages in length, double spaced, and 12 font type. Choose 1 prompt.

Prompt 1: Explain how you arrived at your decision to become a teacher. Consider what experiences have influenced you to pursue this path and content area, and how they have shaped your view of yourself as an educator.

Prompt 2: Consider the mission, vision and core principles of our program. How would you envision enacting this mission and vision in your teaching?  What personal experiences, if any, do you have that relate to the mission, vision, and core principles?

- If you are applying for the Critical Bilingual Authorization Program, you must provide a second personal statement written in Spanish or Mandarin about why you want to be a bilingual teacher in particular.

- If you are applying for the Vietnamese Bilingual Authorization, you must provide a second personal statement written in English about why you want to be a bilingual teacher in particular.

Complete one of the options below to demonstrate your subject matter competency. You must meet at least one of the areas of competence at the point of admission, and show how you plan to meet the remaining areas.

NOTE: Subject matter competency must be completely met in order to be assigned a student teaching placement.

Areas of Competence | Aligned to the 3 CSET Subtests

- English and history
- Math and science
- Health, PE, and visual arts

Option 1 | CSET Multiple Subject Test

Passing all 3 CSET subtests fully meets the requirement. Submit your CSET scores with your application. 

If this requirement is partially met with CSETs at the time of application, submit passing scores for at least 1 CSET, along with registration verification for any outstanding CSET subtests or other plan for completely meeting the SMC Requirement.

Initial test registration date must be within 6 WEEKS of the application deadline.

The list of CSET subtests is available on the CTC Exams website. Visit our Test Preparation Resources webpage for several free resources to prepare for passing various CSET exams.

Option 2 | Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts or Elementary Education Major or SJSU ChAD Prep for Teaching Major

A Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts, or Elementary Education major fully meets this requirement. No CSETs are needed. Please upload transcripts (unofficial ok) with your application showing your major completed or in progress. You will also still need to submit transcripts from outside SJSU to Graduate Admissions. 

A SJSU ChAD Prep for Teaching major likely fully meets this requirement. ChAD Pathway B may partially meet Subject Matter Competency. Transcript evaluation is required.  Submit a request via this website: SJSU ChAD SMC Evaluation or email childdev@sjsu.edu  Include the resulting evaluation documents with your application. Allow 1-2 weeks. 

Option 3 | Elementary Subject Matter Waiver (ESM)

Complete an undergraduate Subject Matter Preparation Program at SJSU or elsewhere.  Submit a form or letter from your undergraduate advisor verifying you have completed all requirements for an Elementary Subject Matter (ESM) waiver. 

Option 4 | Qualifying Coursework

Students may complete a self-evaluation form to determine if you have coursework that will meet one or more of the 3 areas of competence required.  If so, you may submit this to SJSU Credential Services for approval via a Google Form, including transcripts as requested. Currently limited to courses approved by SJSU’s Articulation Office. Please refer to the SJSU Credential Services website for directions and a list of all the ways to meet Subject Matter Competence. Questions? credentials@sjsu.edu  Evaluation may take up to 6 weeks. 

NOTE: 

A mix of qualified coursework and CSET subtests may be used to meet the Subject Matter Competence Requirement.

Two (2) letters of recommendation are needed for the department application. These letters must be from people in a supervisory role who have known you in a professional or educational setting. Letters must speak to your ability to work with people (particularly children), your work ethic, your intellectual capabilities, or other characteristics pertinent to teaching. Letters should be on letterhead, if possible.

- This step is located in the “Recommendations” tab of your Cal State Apply application. Once you list your recommenders, an email will be sent to them with a link where they can upload their letters.

- Use an early deadline for your letters of recommendation to be submitted. The earlier the deadline you use, the better. In contacting your recommenders to ask them to write a letter, include the name of the name of the program you are applying for at San Jose State University - Multiple Subject Teaching Program. Letters can be addressed to "Teacher Education Admissions Committee."

- Recommendations which are requested from within CalState Apply will be connected to your application once they come in. It is highly recommended that you wait until your letters are there before submitting your application. Once you submit your Cal State Apply application, however, you cannot go back and request more recommendations.

- You can submit up to 4 letters of recommendation within CalState Apply, but only 2 are required.

Spring 2026 applicants and beyond: field experience hours are now required. 

Field experience refers to hours teaching, subbing, volunteering, or observing in a public school, in grades TK-8. Experience should be within the last 5 years. Courses that have a field experience component may meet this requirement, such as SJSU LSTP 185 or CHAD 159. 

- Field Experience Documentation Form

- You may contact any California public elementary school and let them know that you are applying to the SJSU Multiple Subject Credential Program and need to complete your observation hours of field experience.

- If you do not have any experience in a public school classroom, you may list alternate experiences. Alternate experiences may include working with children in private school, preschool, after school programs, outdoor education leader, etc.