Subject Matter Competency

Supplemental Program Materials, Special Education Credential

There are 3 ways to meet the Subject Matter Competency requirement:

1. Earn a Degree That Matches Your Credential Area

Some undergraduate degrees automatically meet the subject matter requirement, which means you may not need to take the CSET exams.

For Mild/Moderate or Extensive Support Needs candidates: 

If you complete any degree major that qualifies for a Multiple Subject or Single Subject credential, you have met the subject matter requirement.

  • Multiple Subject (e.g., elementary school): A degree in Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts, or Elementary Education qualifies.
  • Single Subject (e.g., middle/high school subjects): Your degree must align with an approved Single Subject credential area.
    • Common Examples include: English, Mathematics, Science

For a complete and official list of approved options, visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) summary of subject matter options by credential area.

Visit the CCTC Subject Matter Requirements page

For Early Childhood candidates: Early Childhood applicants must have completed a child development course, preferably one that includes child development for young children from birth to age 6  (Please note development and learning for Adolescence/Adulthood is not acceptable).

If your undergraduate degree is in Child and Family Development, Psychology, or Social Work, you automatically meet this requirement.  If your degree is in another subject area, then an early childhood course is required.

At SDSU, the approved course(s) would be CFD 375A or CFD 375B.  Only one course is required.

2. Pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET)

If your degree does not match the subject area, you can meet the requirement by passing the appropriate CSET exams.

  • Visit the CSET website for test dates, registration, and study guides.
  • Exams may be in progress at the time of application; however, an offer of admission cannot be made until all required exam scores have been received and verified.
  • You must pass all required subtests in your subject area to be admitted.
  • CSET scores are valid for 10 years. If you do not earn your credential recommendation within that time, the exams must be retaken.

Learn which subtest you are required to pass by teaching area.

Test Name/Test Code
Art: Creating & Presenting (229)
Art: Responding & Connecting (230)

Test Name/Test Code
Literature & Textual Analysis;
Composition & Rhetoric (105)
Language, Linguistics & Literacy (106)
Composition & Rhetoric;
Literature & Textual Analysis (107)
Communications: Speech, Media,
& Creative Performance (108)

Test Name/Test Code
Algebra; Number Theory (211)
Geometry; Probability & Statistics (212)
Calculus; History of Mathematics (213)

Test Name/Test Code
Algebra; Number Theory (211)
Geometry; Probability & Statistics (212)

Test Name/Test Code
Reading, Language & Literature, History,
Social Science (101)
Science, Mathematics (214)
Physical Education, Human Development,
Visual & Performing Arts (225)

Test Name/Test Code
Music: Creating and Performing (226)
Music: Responding and Connecting (227)

Test Name/Test Code
Growth, Motor Development and Motor Learning;
Science of Human Movement (129)
Sociology and Psychology of Human Movement;
Movement Concepts and Form (130)
Professional Foundations; Integration of
Concepts (131)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Life Science (217)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Chemistry (218)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Earth & Space Science (219)

Test Name/Test Code
General Science (215)
Physics (220)

Test Name/Test Code
World History; World Geography (114)
U.S. History; U.S. Geography (115)
Civics; Economics; California History (116)

3. Request a Coursework Review

If you are considering meeting subject matter competency through completed coursework, it is your responsibility to evaluate whether your academic background aligns with the state requirements. To do so:

  1. Review the Subject Matter Domains for your subject area.
  2. Carefully compare your completed coursework to the domain expectations listed.
  3. Once you believe your coursework meets all the domain requirements, you may email [email protected] to request a Subject Matter Course Review Request Form.

Please note: Our admissions team does not provide preliminary transcript advising or course-matching guidance. If you are unsure whether your courses fulfill the subject matter requirements, they likely do not. It is essential that you review the domains carefully and only request a review if you are confident that your coursework meets all listed competencies. You must request an evaluation no later than January 1st for a Fall start or August 1st for a Spring start.