Subject Matter Competency
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) requires that Education Specialist candidates prove they possess a body of appropriate knowledge that reflects California State Standards. While the Department of Special Education requires that Subject Matter be met as a condition for admission to the program, candidates may be given one additional semester after admission to meet this requirement.
The Subject Matter Requirement (SMR) is required for all credential candidates in the Extensive Support Needs, Mild to Moderate Support Needs, and Visual Impairment programs. *Candidates for the Early Childhood Special Education and Orientation & Mobility programs are exempt.
For additional detailed information about the Subject Matter requirement, you can refer to the CTC Website on Subject Matter.
Submitting the Subject Matter Requirement
Candidates may submit any score reports or completed SMR Degree Waiver requests to the Department of Special Education at sped@sfsu.edu. Please send electronic or scanned copies – pictures will not be accepted. If opting to use coursework or a mix of options, complete a SMR Degree Waiver request form and submit along with a set of official transcripts.
Submission Instructions for Prospective Candidates
Under the Program Materials section of the Cal State Apply application, go to the Documents tab and upload your score report/waiver.
- SMR Waivers – upload your form to the Supplemental Materials section
- CSET Exams or Registrations – upload to the corresponding section, either CSET Multiple Subjects or CSET Single Subject
SMR Waiver requests will not be reviewed until after your application has been submitted. If you intend to use exams but have not yet taken them, you may upload proof of registration for a qualifying exam that must include the test name and date.
Within the first 60 days of your admission, we will complete an assessment of your standing in the relation to demonstration of the subject matter competence requirement, including whether a coursework evaluation will be needed, and notify you of that standing.
How to Meet Subject Matter
These are the various ways candidates can meet the Subject Matter Requirement:
Candidates can complete a subject matter program approved by the Commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness. Typically a credential analyst or designee at the institution you took the courses must provide a letter or form verifying completion.
Commission-Approved Subject Matter Examination:
CSET Exam
Candidates can take and pass a qualifying CSET Exam. For details about the CSETs and for registration information, please visit the California Assessment website.
- CSET: Multiple Subjects: Candidates must pass all three subtests of the CSET: Multiple Subjects.
- CSET Single Subject: Candidates must pass all subtests of a qualifying Single Subject CSET. Qualifying CSETs must be in a core academic area including Art, English, Music, Mathematics (including Foundational-Level Mathematics), Foreign Language, Science including (Foundational-Level General Science or Specialized Science), and Social Science. The number of subtests vary depending on the subject area.
Successful Completion of a Baccalaureate or Higher Degree
Successful Completion of a Baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with either a major in one of the subject areas in which the Commission credentials candidates or liberal studies or other major that may include coursework in one of the following content areas:
- Liberal Studies
- Agriculture
- Art
- Business
- Dance
- English
- World Language (in any of the languages for which there is a credential)
- Health Science
- Home Economics
- Industrial and Technology Education
- Mathematics
- Music
- Physical Education
- Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience or Earth and Space Science, and
- Physics)
- Social Science
- Theater
Degree title must be an exact match with the areas above in order to qualify. Applied majors (e.g. Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics) and additional modifiers (e.g. Art History, Environmental Biology) are also acceptable, but must include the specific area in the title.
Candidates who qualify for the Subject Matter Waiver through degree match can complete the SMR Waiver form and submit it to the Department of Special Education at sped@sfsu.edu with a copy of their official transcript.
Successful Completion of Coursework
Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institution of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission-approved program of professional preparation.Coursework complete at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited or by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges may cont for purposes of this clause.
Example: if a candidate wishes to domain match with the CSET: Social Science, the candidate must show coursework that covers all six domains of this CSET. If any domain/subtest is not covered, then it will be considered incomplete. Below are additional resources that list the domains per each CSET as well as a description of each domain.
Combinations
A combination of the methods described above that, together, demonstrate that the candidate has met or exceeded the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission.
For example, if a candidate takes and passes two out of the three subtests for the CSET: Multiple Subjects, they can use domain review/coursework to meet the requirements of the third subtest.