Single Subject Credentials

The Single Subject Teaching Credential is designed for individuals who want to teach a specific subject—such as Math, English, Science, History, or Physical Education—at the middle school or high school level. This credential prepares educators to deliver engaging, subject-focused instruction while supporting the academic and social-emotional development of adolescent learners.

Single Subject Credential, teachers are prepared to:

  • Teach one specific subject in departmentalized classrooms (grades 6–12)

  • Engage students through deep content knowledge and innovative pedagogy

  • Create culturally responsive, inclusive, and equitable learning environments

  • Foster critical thinking, collaboration, and academic confidence in adolescents

  • Prepare students for college, careers, and civic life through subject mastery

Key Features of the Single Subject Credential Pathway:

  • Authorizes instruction in middle and high school settings (grades 6–12)

  • Available in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, World Languages, Physical Education, Art, and more

  • Includes supervised clinical practice in a subject-specific classroom

  • Emphasizes strategies for teaching diverse learners and multilingual students

  • Offers pathways through traditional post-baccalaureate programs, intern programs, or integrated undergraduate programs (ITEPs)

Credential Requirements

The candidate must complete all of the following requirements.

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
  • Completion of a Commission-approved subject matter program  or its equivalent.
  • Completion of a Commission-approved Single Subject Credential preparation program.
  • Passage of a Commission-approved Teaching Performance Assessment.
  • Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) examination or a Commission-approved literacy assessment aligned with the requirements of Education Code section 44320.3.​​

For more information and a complete list, go to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing  website.