SJSU Catalog

Becoming a Secondary School Teacher

1. Complete a Single Subject Matter Preparation Program

Programs with asterisks (*) are majors that are fully compliant with the requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Students in other majors may have to take the California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET). See your department advisor for your particular course of study.

Major	Credential
Art	Art
Biology*	Science: Biological Sciences
Chemistry*	Science: Chemistry
Earth Science*	Science: Geosciences
Economics	Social Science
English*	English
French	French
Geography	Social Science
History	Social Science
Journalism	English
Kinesiology	Physical Education
Linguistics	English (ESL emphasis)
Mathematics*	Mathematics
Meteorology*	Science: Physics
Music	Music
Physics*	Science: Physics
Political Science	Social Science
Social Sciences	Social Science
Spanish	Spanish
Speech Communication	English
Theater Arts	English

Students who have completed or wish to complete another major may consult with the teacher preparation advisor from one of the listed programs to determine possible equivalence to Single Subject Matter competency.

2. Apply for Admission to the Single Subject Credential Program

Applications to the Credential Program are accepted for both Fall and Spring semesters. Requirements include:

• Admission to San José State University
• Grade point average (GPA) of approximately 2.75
• Passing score on California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST)
• Satisfaction of the Constitution requirement
• Completion of 30 hours of verifiable, supervised experience with children in a public school setting (grades 7-12)
• Certification of subject matter preparation (see listed programs)
• Completion of application process located at www.sjsu.edu/secondaryed
• Passing score on the College of Education Technology Test or course EDIT 122.

3. Complete a Professional Preparation Program leading to a Single Subject Credential

Requirements include:

Preliminary Credential (Level 1)

Non-renewable, valid for a maximum of five years.

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Prerequisite: Certificate of Clearance of personal and professional fitness
• Foundations: EdSC 172A and EdSC 173
• Reading methods: EdSC 138A
• Language development: EdSC 162
• Health Education: EDTE 190 plus CPR (adult, infant and child)
• Mainstreaming: EdSE 192
• Evaluation: EdSC 182
• Student teaching: EdSC 184X; 184Y and 184Z in disciplinary departments
• Subject-specific methods

Professional Clear Credential(Level II)

Employed teachers should continue professional development for a Level II credential following completion the Preliminary Credential. This may be done entirely in some school districts, and in many cases by combining a school district induction programs and courses at SJSU in the following topics.

• Advanced Study of Health Education
• Advanced Study of Teaching Special Populations
• Advanced Study of Using Technology to Support Student Learning (EDIT 241)
• Advanced Study of Teaching English Learners

Students must also be employed in a school district.