The California Teaching Credentials Guide

Teachers excel at looking ahead, whether it's creating lesson plans for the upcoming school year or arranging for substitutes when they'll be absent. Being organized and proactive is crucial to success in this field. As an aspiring teacher, you can start developing this skill as you plan out your career path. Before enrolling in a program, you should have a clear understanding of the education requirements and California teaching credentials necessary to obtain a teaching license for the subject and grade level you plan to teach.

Teaching Requirements Vary by State

While we are going to cover California Teaching Credentials in this blog, it is a good idea to do some research into the requirements of other states. After all, one day you could relocate and you'll need to know how your California Teaching Credential fits with the requirements of your potential new state.

Different locations have different teaching qualifications and terminology. For example, California and Minnesota both have tiered systems for teaching requirements. However, in Minnesota, a teaching license is called a teaching credential in California, and in states like Washington and Arizona, it's referred to as teaching certification. When planning your path to becoming a teacher, it's important to research the qualifications required in the state(s) where you want to build your career.

Other differences in teaching requirements from state to state may include continuing education requirements and the process for renewing a teaching license, credential, or certification. The U.S. Department of Education website is a good starting point for this research.

It's also important to note that qualifications to teach at private schools may differ from those for public schools. Public school teaching requirements are set by the state due to their funding being primarily from local taxes and government aid. Private schools, on the other hand, are funded through tuition and fundraising, so their teaching requirements are set by the school's governing board.

Common Educational Pathways for Teachers

To obtain your teaching license, credential, or certification, you’ll need to complete the necessary education. As you look into teaching programs, you’ll notice a few different options —bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees all exist in the field.

A bachelor’s degree in liberal studies is often an excellent starting point for aspiring educators. This undergraduate program lays the groundwork for pursuing graduate-level teaching credentials, particularly for those interested in elementary education or multiple-subject teaching.

Following your bachelor's degree, you'll typically need to complete a graduate-level credential program. In some states, schools offer a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree that combines credential preparation with advanced coursework. MAT programs focus on practical skills and subject-specific information, making them an ideal choice for those entering the teaching profession.

Once you've become a practicing educator or if you're interested in the education industry in a more administrative or supportive capacity, you might consider pursuing a Master of Arts in Education (MAE). At the master's level, degree paths become more specialized, allowing educators to tailor their post-graduate experiences to fit their specific career goals.

For example, consider the range of master's degree specializations offered at UMass Global's School of Education:

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Teaching and Learning
• Instructional Technology, Teaching the 21st Century Learner
• Special Education, Teaching and Learning
• Special Education, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Special Education, Autism

Types of California Teaching Credentials

When talking about the varying requirements for teachers in different regions, it's useful to explore the specific state's credential model to get a clearer idea of what's involved. In California teaching credentials are obtained through a two-level process. Valid for up to five years, the Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential is the first document issued after an individual has met basic credential requirements. The Clear credential is issued once all credential requirements have been completed. There are four options available for teachers to choose from:

• Multiple Subjecting Teaching Credential
• Single Subject Teaching Credential
• PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential
• Special Education Teaching Credential

To earn these credentials, all aspiring teachers must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). The CBEST features reading, writing, and mathematics sections, and passing this exam makes the student eligible to start student teaching. The CSET tests students on specific subject matter relevant to their specialty for Multiple Subject teachers. This includes the various subjects taught in a typical public elementary school, including math, English, natural sciences, and history.

In addition to the rigorous testing requirements, UMass Global offers valuable support to its credentialed students. Enrolled students gain free access to comprehensive test preparation materials provided by Teach Us, which covers the CBEST, CSET, and the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA). Additionally, the CSET courses are embedded within the Liberal Studies degree program, allowing students to fulfill this requirement through their coursework. This means that eligible students can waive the CSET exam entirely, streamlining their path to obtaining their teaching credentials.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

In California, if you want to be an elementary school teacher, you'll need to get the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. This credential allows you to teach the myriad subjects covered in elementary school classrooms.

At UMass Global, the program for Multiple Subject teaching also includes an English learner Authorization (ELA) and training on working with students who are learning English. This will help educators support the language development of ESL students and provide them with academic instruction in English tailored to their specific subject area and grade level.

Single Subject Teaching Credential

If you want to teach a specific subject, you need to obtain the Single Subject Teaching Credential. Teachers with this credential are qualified to teach a particular subject to students from middle school to high school, and occasionally to adult students. UMass Global also offers an ELA within the Single Subject Teaching Credential program. Credentials are set by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The current subjects available are as follows:

• Agriculture
• Art
• Biological Sciences
• Business
• Chemistry
• Dance
• English
• Foundational-Level General Science
• Foundational-Level Mathematics
• Geosciences
• Health Science
• Home Economics
• Industrial and Technology Education
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Social Science
• Theater
• World Language: English Language Development
• World Language: Languages Other Than English

Special Education Teaching Credential

The Education Specialist Instruction Credential allows educators to teach and provide special education support for students in a specific area. They are also able to conduct educational assessments to determine the best way to help students make progress toward meeting their academic goals.

This credential also includes content related to Autism Spectrum Disorders and Teaching English Learners. Several potential specialty areas fall under this teaching credential:

• Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Language and Academic Development
• Mild to Moderate Support Needs
• Extensive Support Needs
• Visual Impairments

Learn More About Teaching Credentials in California

As you map out your career pathway, be sure to analyze the teaching requirements for the location you want to work. The state-specific teaching permits may be referred to as credentials, licenses, or certifications depending on where you land. You may find yourself asking these questions, among others:

• Why do I need a teaching license? The licensure process confirms that instructors are sufficiently qualified to teach the subject matter and have also passed any background checks and assessments required for the age they want to teach.
• Why do licensure requirements vary by state? Each state has its agency that oversees its public school teachers’ qualifications to ensure they’re properly educated. Some states even have specific coursework requirements. For example, California teaching requirements include coursework and a passing score on a test about the U.S. Constitution. Meanwhile, Alaska requires its public educators to take courses on Alaska history and multicultural studies.
• Can teaching credentials transfer between states? There are specific guidelines you can review about teaching credentials transferring between states. Even if a teacher meets a different state’s requirements, they will still need to apply for a new license to teach there.
• Do teaching credentials expire? Even if you stay in your home state and have no intentions of moving, most teachers still have to renew their credentials every five years. One of the main criteria for renewal is showing proof of dedication to continuing education, whether through in-service training sessions or formal academic study. From the issue date, a Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential expires after five years.
• How long does it take to earn a teaching credential? How quickly a person can earn their teaching credential depends, of course, on how many courses are taken at a time. Most students can count on earning their credential in 12-14 months, but it can be earned more quickly.

There are programs meant to speed teacher entry into the classroom, such as the University Intern Teaching Credentials pathway. At UMass Global, students become intern-eligible after just four classes, enabling them to start teaching and earning a salary while completing the remainder of their credential coursework.

Explore Teaching Credentials in California at UMass Global

If you’re hoping to dedicate your career to teaching, you now know how important it is to consider your long-term teaching credential goals sooner rather than later. Getting these details sorted out early on can help ensure you’re setting yourself on the right path to achieve your career goals.

If you’re ready to get started on your journey to becoming an educator in the Golden State, your next step is to start researching accredited programs. Explore UMass Global’s Teaching Credentials & Authorizations to find important info about admissions, outcomes, internships, and more.