How to Apply to the Elementary and Middle/High School Credential
General Education, Multiple and Single Subject Preliminary Teaching Credentials
If you are applying for the Fall 2026 semester, please check back in September for updated application dates. The application opens October 1st each year for fall start.
Preliminary Credentials: In California this is the FIRST credential you can earn. If you want to be a teacher and do not hold a credential, then apply to a preliminary program. Multiple Subject credentials are for those who want to teach all subjects in elementary school (K-6). Single Subject credentials are for those who want to teach one subject at a time in middle or high school classrooms.
Important Dates for Spring 2026
| Item | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 1. Cal State Apply application (opens August 1 each year) |
August 31, 2025 |
| 2. Official transcripts due | September 15, 2025 |
For this program, you are NOT required to complete the additional Interfolio program application. Instead, applicants must complete the Cal State Apply application and follow the directions below:
Application Instructions
1. Submit Cal State Apply Application
Get help and tips on how to complete the Cal State Apply application.
Program Materials Needed for Cal State Apply
The credential items below will be asked about by questions and/or uploads in the Program Materials box/quadrant of the Cal State Apply application. Please start preparing to apply by getting these materials ready.
START EARLY: Most of our applicants tell us they spend approximately 3 months or more on the following 4 requirements.
- Prerequisite Courses (General Education version)
- Early Field Experience (General Education version)
- Subject Matter Competency (GE & Bilingual version)
- Certificate of Clearance or Emergency Teaching Permit
- Unofficial transcripts
- Bachelor's Degree
- Basic Skills Requirement
- GPA Requirement
- Personal Narrative (General Education version)
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Video (General Education version)
- Credential Application fee (currently $25)
- Negative TB test results
Important Information About Credential Requirements:
- These items need to be completed prior to admission to SDSU's Credential program. Some items can be in progress when you are applying (like prerequisites and your degree), but all exams and the Clearance must be complete before admission.
- Please maintain all your original documents as you may need to submit these again to districts for student teaching and/or employment.
2. Wait to Request Official Transcripts
Please wait to request these official transcripts until after you have submitted the Cal State Apply application, then request that your official transcripts be sent to SDSU, following instructions at Submitting Your Transcripts. If you send them in before you submit the application, they will take longer to process.
If you attended SDSU for your undergraduate degree, you can skip this step—we have this information already on file.
3. Explore Financial Aid Opportunities
4. Attend a Meet and Greet
These sessions are available to have questions answered by faculty who teach in the program and will provide more information about SDSU's cohort model. We will hold new sessions for those who apply for the Spring 2025 credential program in the Fall of 2025 (shortly after the application deadline).
Recording from March 2022 Meet and Greet: Multiple Subject Only
Exit Requirements: Please be aware that there are additional exit requirements which you must fulfill to earn your credential. These must be completed by the time you finish the credential program.
Get in Touch
General Advising & Questions
Visit Credential Advising for contacts and information session dates.