Pre-Teaching Advising

Elementary School Teaching (Grades K-8)

• Undergraduate Program of Study: Choosing a Major

Students interested in a career in elementary or middle school teaching must earn a bachelor’s degree before entering into a post-graduate teacher credential program. Students who would like to teach TK-8 are strongly encouraged to select from majors such as Psychology, Child Studies, or Sociology within the College of Arts and Sciences, though any undergraduate major is acceptable. The undergraduate program of study, including the Core Curriculum, should encompass the range of subjects taught in grade school and include courses that have field-based learning placements in settings that directly serve school-aged children. The SCU Undergraduate Core Curriculum provide a broad education in English, mathematics, science, social science, and the humanities, all of which will be valuable preparation to become an elementary school teacher. Students are strongly recommended to pursue the Interdisciplinary minor in Urban Education to participate in undergraduate pre-teaching coursework that will be highly sought after by graduate education programs. At Santa Clara the pre‐teaching adviser can help you tailor your study plan.

• Demonstration of Subject Matter Competency

Pre‐teaching students interested in the multiple subjects credential must demonstrate subject matter competency through the California Subject Matter Examination for Teachers CSET in Multiple Subjects (all three subtests). Passing scores on the CSET exam are valid for five years. For those undergraduate students planning to enter a credential program soon after graduation, these exams are typically taken in the senior year.

• Demonstration of Basic Educational Skills

Pre‐teaching students interested in the multiple subjects credential may demonstrate basic educational skills in one of the following ways:

1. Passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
2. Earning a score of “College Ready” or “Exempt” on both the English and the math sections of the CSU Early Assessment Program or earning a score of 151 or higher on the English subtest and a score of 50 or higher on the Math subtest of the CSU Placement Examinations;
3. Passing a basic skills examination in another US state;
4. Earning a score of 500 or higher on the English section and 550 or higher on the math section of the SAT exam;
5. Earning a score of 22 or higher on the English section and 23 or higher on the math section of the ACT;
6. Earning a score of 3 or higher on the English Language and Composition or the English Language and Literature AP exam and on the AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or AP Statistics exam.
7. Multiple Subject candidates may also satisfy the BSR by passing the three Multiple Subject subtests of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) examination AND passing the Writing Skills CSET subtest.

 

Secondary School Teaching (Grades 9-12)

• Undergraduate Program of Study: Choosing a Major

Students interested in a career in secondary teaching must earn a bachelor’s degree before entering into a post-graduate teacher credential program. Students interested in a career in middle school or high school teaching should fulfill the requirements of the academic major of their intended teaching specialization (e.g., mathematics, English, Spanish studies, science, history, art, etc.). The undergraduate program of study, including the Core Curriculum, should include courses that have field-based learning placements in settings that directly serve school-aged children. Students are strongly recommended to pursue the Interdisciplinary minor in Urban Education to participate in undergraduate pre-teaching coursework that will be highly sought after by graduate education programs.

California single subject teaching credentials are available in the following subject areas: agriculture, art, business, English, health science, home economics, industrial and technology education, mathematics, modern languages, music, physical education, science, and social science.

• Demonstration of Subject Matter Competency

Pre-teaching students interested in a single subject credential must demonstrate specific subject matter competency by passing the California Subject Matter Examination for Teachers CSET in the subject area(s) they desire to teach. Alternatively, to satisfy the subject matter competence requirement, Single Subject candidates may complete a Commission-approved subject-matter program or its equivalent, and obtain verification of completion from the authorized person in the education department of a California college or university with an approved program.

• Demonstration of Basic Educational Skills

Pre‐teaching students interested in a single subject credential may demonstrate basic educational skills in one of the following ways:

1. Passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
2. Earning a score of “College Ready” or “Exempt” on both the English and the math sections of the CSU Early Assessment Program or earning a score of 151 or higher on the English subtest and a score of 50 or higher on the Math subtest of the CSU Placement Examinations;
3. Passing a basic skills examination in another US state;
4. Earning a score of 500 or higher on the English section and 550 or higher on the math section of the SAT exam;
5. Earning a score of 22 or higher on the English section and 23 or higher on the math section of the ACT;
6. Earning a score of 3 or higher on the English Language and Composition or the English Language and Literature AP exam and on the AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or AP Statistics exam.