Frequently Asked Questions

What if I want to become qualified to teach more than one subject?

If you want to teach more than one subject you can earn an added authorization in another field. To teach a second subject area, you need 32 units in that content area (or you must pass the CSET in that content). This is called added authorization or subject matter competency.

What if I want to teach science and health science?

Added authorization in science: Dr. Dave Nickels dnickels@csulb.edu

What GPA is required for the program?

A GPA of 2.75 over the last 60 semester hours completed is required to enter the single subject credential program. We expect you to have a 2.67 GPA in both areas. If your overall GPA is below 2.67 you must petition to enter the program. In most cases, your petition is looked upon favorably if your GPA for the last 60 units of college credit is above a 2.75. Your petition is reviewed by the Health Science Department and the Single Subject Credential Program Petition Committee. Your petition will be reviewed. Students can be admitted, provisionally admitted or rejected at this point. Please note that you must have a 2.50 GPA to be admitted to the University as a post baccalaureate student. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the Single Subject Credential Program.

Can I take the CSET to demonstrate subject matter competency?

CSULB will accept the CSET in place of subject matter competency. Please note these scores expire within a specific time limit.  If you have a passing score on the CSET, enroll directly in EDSS 300D.   

What if I already have a teaching job?

Sometimes students enter our program while already teaching. If you are already teaching and want to continue teaching you will need to earn a credential. We will do what we can to help you to do so while teaching. You should know, however, that it will take longer, and there may be difficulties along the way. You will earn your credential more slowly because you cannot complete as many classes as a full time student. Sometimes classes are difficult to find offered at times you are available to take them. This is especially true of upper division courses. Whenever possible we offer classes at times conducive to teachers.

How does student teaching work?

Student teaching is a full time, semester long commitment. Once you have completed your course work (both Health Science and professional education) you will enroll in 15 units of student teaching and a three unit seminar. Most Health Science students are placed in either a middle school or high school for their student teaching experience. All student teachers will teach three health classes, observe one class and use one period for planning. Along with lunch, this constitites a full school day. You will ultimately be responsible for creating lessons, teaching classes and grading student work. You will observe your master teacher and other teachers in the school. You will learn how a school works by attending department and faculty meetings and conferences, and other extra-curricular events.

During student teaching you will be observed by university supervisors (approximately four to six times by each of your supervisors). You will also participate in the student teaching seminars on the CSULB campus.

If you are employed as a full-time health teacher, you must petition (the semester prior) to complete student teaching on an internship credential. Several conditions must be met for this credential, approval is not automatic. See Sally Champlin or Dr. Hakim-Butt to find out more about this option. Both internships and use of an emergency permit position for student teaching have strict guidelines and are not automatically granted, even if the student already has a paid position.  Schools must be within the CSULB service area.

What's a preliminary credential versus a clear credential?

The "Preliminary Credential" is what you will have earned after completing required health science classes, education classes, the constitution requirement and student teaching. You then have 5 additional years to earn the more permanent "Clear Credential". Requirements for the professional clear credential include:

• Complete a minimum of thirty post baccalaureate units of study. (The courses you've taken for the credential 'count' if they are post baccalaureate hours.)
• Meet a computer literacy requirement, by course or equivalency.
• Meet a "mainstreaming" requirement, most often via ED Psych 350. (EDP 350 can be taken before being accepted into the single subject credential program, it does not have EDSS300C as a prerequisite.)

Please note that the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing is in the process of revising credential requirements. Visit the CTC web page for updates.

Must I be enrolled at CSULB to take EDSS 300D?

Not necessarily - eventually you must apply to the university, but you may choose to enroll in EDSS 300D through University Extension. Once you decide to apply to the program to earn your credential, you will apply to CSULB to take your classes.

How do I get to CSULB and your office?

From the 405 or 605 take route 22 (7th Street) West. CSULB is located on 7th Street. Enter campus on West Campus Drive (next to the large, electronic message sign). Make your first right off West Campus. Follow the road around the Education Building to the stop sign. There are metered parking spaces to the left of the stop sign or straight through the stop sign. An information booth is located to your left. After parking your car you can proceed to ED1 (the buildings you just drove around) if you want to go to the Single Subject Office (ED1-54). The Health Science Department is located in HHS-2 room 115 at the lower (North) end of campus, east of Brotman Hall and in front of Physical Education. Directions to campus & a map of campus.

Last update: 9/21/09