Frequently Asked Questions

Single Subject Credential Program Admission Requirements (bottom of page)

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How do I apply for the Family and Consumer Sciences Credential Program at CSULB?

If you are an undergraduate, simply register for EDSS 300H--Introduction to Teaching FCS. Application to the program is made during that course. The minimum GPA is 2.67 overall or 2.75 in the last 60 units. If you are a graduate student, you must apply for admission to the university as a graduate student. On the application where it asks for your major, indicate "single subject credential " as your major.

What if I complete EDSS 300H and my GPA is not at or above 2.67?

There is a petition process for candidates with GPAs below the standard. You may take subject matter courses or co-requisite courses while your petition is in process. Candidates with low GPAs should contact the Credential Advisor as soon as possible.

Can courses taken at a community college be accepted for the Family and Consumer Sciences Subject Matter requirements?

Yes. See the Credential Advisor for a list of articulated classes or go to assist.org to see if they articulate. You should be aware that a course taken at a community college cannot be the equivalent of an upper division course at CSULB. Upper division courses are 300-level courses and above.

Must I take all the courses in the Family and Consumer Sciences Credential Subject Matter Program? Can I take an exam instead?

You can choose to take the CAlifornia Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) as a substitute for the courses in the Family and Consumer Sciences subject matter program. Please note, there are no examination substitutes for the Professional Education courses in the credential program.

Can I take all courses in the program as an undergraduate?

You can take all courses in the Family and Consumer Sciences subject matter program as an undergraduate. You may also take EDSS 300H as early as the Junior year and the remaining Professional Education courses as an undergraduate except for student teaching, which must be done as a post-baccalaureate student.

What is a supplementary authorization? Should I try to get a supplementary authorization?

It is useful, but not essential, to have a Supplementary Authorization in order to get a job. Candidates can obtain authorization to teach in a second discipline by taking a total of 20 units (or 10 upper division units) in a particular academic discipline, such as Health Science, Science, or English, etc., which authorizes the candidate to teach that particular subject in middle school and high school curriculum. Full subject matter add-ons are available for teaching particular subjects at the high school level. Candidates interested in a Supplementary Authorization in another discipline should contact the Credential Advisor in that area.

I am also interested in a Master's Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences. Should I pursue the credential program and the Master's program at the same time?

If you already have a Bachelor's Degree and are only pursuing the Single Subject Credential, you can work toward your Master's Degree at the same time; however, the courses in the credential program do not count toward the MA degree in FCS. Consult with the Credential Advisor so that you do not make costly errors in planning your program.

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Single Subject Credential Program Admission Requirements

1. Complete the pre-requisite course EDSS 300H with a minimum grade of “B”.
2. Perform satisfactorily in the 45-hour field work requirement in EDSS 300H.
3. Attain a GPA of at least 2.67 in all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate course work or a GPA of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester units or 90 quarter units attempted.
4. Complete a personal interview with program faculty.
5. Submit two recommendation forms that speak to the candidate’s potential for successful public school teaching.
6. Submit a written statement of professional goals and philosophy of education.
7. Provide evidence of fingerprint clearance (Certificate of Clearance) through the California commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
8. Submit a TB skin test or chest x-ray taken within the previous three years. TB clearance must be valid through student teaching.
9. Take the CBEST. You must take all three parts of the exam. (Passage of the exam is required to advance to student teaching.)
10. Demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing English by (1) attaining the minimum passing score of 37 on the reading portion of the CBEST or by (2) achieving a “C” grade or better in a course satisfying the General Education requirement in literature and by (1) attaining the minimum passing score of 37 on the writing portion of the CBEST or by (2) fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
11. Demonstrate ability to communicate orally in English at the level required of public school teachers by demonstration of English production skills in the course EDSS 300H and through an oral interview with FCS subject matter program faculty.
12. Demonstrate personality and character traits that satisfy the standards of the teaching profession and suitable aptitude for teaching in public schools through the application documentation, the personal interview, and performance in the EDSS 300H course. Candidates must continue to demonstrate appropriate character and personality traits through completion of the program.
13. Submit a completed program application to the EDSS 300H instructor.
14. Complete all requirements for admission to the program unique to the candidate’s subject matter program.

Preliminary Credential Coursework Requirements

* = a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of “C” for all credential program courses.

# = a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for all EDSS and EDSE courses with no grade less than a “C”.

+ = a minimum grade of “B” is required for EDSS 300H and EDSS 450H courses.

CR = Credit earned

All coursework must be completed before advancement to student teaching.

Credential Requirements

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
2. Satisfy the U. S. Constitution requirement (POSC 100 or 391 or exam or equivalent course from another institution.
3. Pass CBEST.
4. Hold a Certificate of Clearance (fingerprint check).
5. Demonstrate subject matter competence.
6. Complete all prerequisite, co-requisite, core and capstone courses with a "B'' average and a minimum grade of "C". A minimum 3.0 grade point average must be maintained in all EDSS and EDSE courses. A minimum grade of "B" must be attained in EDSS 450.
7. Demonstrate Level I Computer proficiency.
8. Successfully complete Student Teaching and Student Teaching Seminar.
9. Obtain a score of "3" or better on all 4 tasks in the state-mandated Teacher Performance Assessment (Cal-TPA).

Last update: 10/8/09