Subject Matter Requirement

Background

On July 9, 2021, the Governor signed AB 130 (Chap. 44, Stats. 2021) which established new options for demonstrating the Subject Matter Requirement (SMR). The options allow the Commission and Commission-approved preparation programs to verify that a candidate or applicant has demonstrated subject matter proficiency by qualifying college-level coursework.

Options available prior to AB 130

Completion of a subject matter program approved by the commission.
Passage of a subject matter examination (the California Subject Examination for Teachers or CSET).

Additional options resulting from AB 130

Successful completion of coursework, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation that addresses each of the Commission-adopted domains of the applicable subject matter requirements.
Successful completion of an academic major in the subject they will teach.

- For Single Subject credentials, the major must be in one of the subjects named in Education Code section 44257(a).
- For Multiple Subject credentials, the major must be in liberal studies or an interdisciplinary major that includes coursework in the content areas identified in subdivision (b) of California Education Code section 44282
- For Education Specialist credentials, the major must align with one of the acceptable majors for the Multiple Subject credential or Single Subject credential.
- The current statutory language does not provide leeway for the acceptance of closely related subjects; the degree major match must be exact.

3. A combination of coursework and examination options that meet or exceed the domains of the subject matter requirements.

Meeting Subject Matter by Academic Degree Major

In order to meet subject matter by degree major, the degree major must correspond to the authorization to be listed on the teaching credential.
The current statutory language does not provide leeway for the acceptance of closely related subjects; the degree major match must be exact. Review the following link for a list of acceptable academic degrees.

Meeting Subject Matter by Coursework or Combination of Coursework and Exam

Coursework must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher education and must addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential.
A combination of coursework and CSET exams may be used, coursework must meet the criteria in the previous bullet point.

Important! CSUN is currently evaluating coursework for current CSUN students or Alumni, in the following subjects only.

Physical Education: If you are a current Kinesiology major at CSUN or were granted a Kinesiology degree from CSUN, please contact the Subject Matter advisor, Dr. Belinda Stillwell at (818-677-3253) to schedule an appointment.
Social Science: If you are a current History major at CSUN or were granted a History degree from CSUN, please contact the Subject Matter Advisor, Dr. Patricia Juarez-Dappe at to schedule an appointment.
American Sign Language (ASL): CSUN Deaf Studies program offers five concentration options, if your concentration is in ASL/ASL Literature or Pre-Deaf Education then you have met subject matter for ASL. All other concentrations can request coursework evaluation by contacting the Deaf Studies Department at deaf.advisement@csun.edu.

Subject Matter Requirement FAQ

Is it true that CSET is no longer required to get a teaching credential or does CSUN still require you to pass the CSET if you want to join the credential program?

This is incorrect; subject matter is still required for admission and to obtain a teaching credential. Previously, to meet the Subject Matter Requirement, candidates must have either received a passing score on the applicable CSET examination or completed a Commission-approved subject matter waiver program. AB 130 expands the available options to allow candidates to meet the Subject Matter Requirement through coursework or a combination of exam and coursework.

What degree majors are acceptable for Single Subject credential candidates who wish to meet the subject matter requirement via degree major?

At this time, the degree major must correspond to the authorization to be listed on a Single Subject Credential. For example, a degree authorization in English would qualify for a Single Subject credential in English. The law as written requires that the degree major exactly align with the subject area of the credential, meaning that a candidate who is completing a Single Subject credential program in Science: Biological Science would need to have earned a degree in Biology or Biological Science. A degree in Environmental Biology would not be acceptable for this purpose.

What if a candidate’s degree is in a closely related subject, but is not in the exact subject of the single subject credential they seek?

The current statutory language does not provide leeway for the acceptance of closely related subjects; the match must be exact. The Commission has begun work on emergency regulations that would expand the degree majors that could meet the Subject Matter Requirement through subsumed subjects or through evaluation of the coursework taken to complete the degree. These regulations would clarify that the subsumed subjects as outlined in Title 5 section 80005 would be acceptable degree majors for meeting subject matter. This flexibility is not available until and unless it is approved by the Office of Administrative Law.

According to the list of approved subjects I must have a degree in World Language to teach a foreign language, is this correct?

The degree major must be in the language to be taught regardless of any mention of World Language. For example, a degree major in Spanish will meet the subject matter requirement to teach Spanish.

My degree major is in Kinesiology, does this meet the subject matter for physical education?

No, a degree major in Kinesiology alone will not satisfy the requirement, the degree must list Physical Education. For example, Kinesiology: Physical Education will satisfy the subject matter requirement.

My undergraduate degree major is in Liberal Studies however, I also have a Master's degree in Music. Can I use my Master's degree major to satisfy the subject matter requirement to teach Music?

Yes, Ed. Code Section 44259 states the degree major must be a BA or higher, so a Master's degree in Music will meet the requirement.

For the coursework option in which the preparation program reviews the course content a candidate has taken against the domains of the applicable Subject Matter Requirements, can a Commission-approved preparation program evaluate a candidate’s coursework for the subject matter domains now?

Yes, however CSUN is only evaluating current Kinesiology and History majors or Alumni with a Kinesiology or History degree from CSUN.