Apr 15, 2026  
2026-2027 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  The California State University
  Admission to CSULB
  Fees and Financial Aid
  Academic Information and Regulations
  Academic Services and Campus Life
  Baccalaureate Degree Information
  Graduate Degree Information
  Beach EDGE
  Colleges and Departments
  Courses
  General Policies and Regulations
HELP
2026-2027 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Multiple Subject Credential Program

A Multiple Subject Credential authorizes teaching in self-contained classrooms, typically TK-6, and in limited self-contained settings beyond grade 6 as permitted by assignment regulations.The Multiple Subject Credential does not automatically authorize teaching in preschool settings unless the teacher holds the appropriate Early Childhood Education credential or permit.

The Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP) prepares students to be credentialed in the State of California for elementary instruction. The program allows for daytime clinical practice experiences in elementary classrooms and includes methodology courses and student teaching. The program can be completed in three semesters, depending upon when prerequisites and corequisites are taken, when the student begins the program, and whether a part-time or full-time schedule is followed. Program requirements must be met within seven years of the date of admission to the program.

The Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP) can be completed either as a post-baccalaureate student (after earning a bachelor’s degree) or as an undergraduate student through the Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP).  The MSCP offers candidates the following three pathways:

 

  • Traditional Pathway (self-paced)
  • UTEACH Pathway (cohort; residency model)
  • Internship Pathway (post-baccalaureate only)

Candidate in any of the three pathways listed above may add on a Bilingual Authorization in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese concurrently while completing MSCP.

Preliminary Credential

Successful completion of any pathway in the Multiple Subject Credential Program leads to the Preliminary Credential, which is valid for five years. Requirements for the Preliminary Credential are:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution within the U.S. or equivalent.
  • Satisfy the U. S. Constitution requirement (POSC 100 or POSC 391 or equivalent course from another institution or exam).
  • Hold a Valid CTC Clearance (Certificate of Clearance, 30-Day Sub Permit, Child Development Permit, or Activity Supervisor Permit).
  • Demonstrate Level I computer technology competence (embedded in program coursework).
  • Demonstrate subject matter competence by 1) passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET: Multiple Subjects), 2) through completion of a CTC approved subject matter preparation program, 3) a degree in Liberal Studies 4) through completion of course in the Elementary Subject Matter domains 5) through a combination of coursework and examinations. 
  • Complete professional preparation courses (in the MSCP) with a grade point average of 3.0 in all subject-specific pedagogy (methods) courses with no grade lower than “C.”
  • Successfully complete student teaching.
  • Pass the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA).

For Bilingual Authorization candidates only: Demonstrate competence in specialized pedagogy, knowledge of the target culture, and proficiency in the target language. The culture knowledge and target language proficiency requirements may be met through coursework or state-approved exams.

Clear Credential

The Preliminary Credential is valid for five years from the date of issuance and is not renewable. During the first five years of teaching, teachers earn the clear credential through their district-sponsored Induction Program.

Admission to the University

Graduating seniors, transfer students, and returning students should apply for post-baccalaureate admission to the university with the objective of entering the credential program (identify the program objective as Multiple Subject Credential). Admission to the university does not constitute admission to the credential program. Application to the University is completed online at www.calstate.edu/apply. Check the website for specific program deadlines.

Admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Program

Matriculated students may be admitted to the program based on their current undergraduate or graduate status. Pre-program advisement is available in the CED Student Success & Advising Center (EED-18). Prospective candidates may view program application requirements on the MSCP Website. Prospective candidates are encouraged to attend a program information meeting (see schedule at http://www.csulb.edu/mscp). Candidates are required to comply with all program policies and procedures detailed on the website at http://www.csulb.edu/mscp.

Candidates in the Multiple Subject (post-baccalaureate), Intern, or ITEP tracks who wish to add a Bilingual Authorization (BILA) to their credential must meet with the appropriate language advisor (Rhonda Haramis) to discuss requirements for the language authorizations in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, or Vietnamese.

Candidates for the post-credential Bilingual Authorization (BILA) must possess a valid SB 2042 teaching credential OR a valid teaching credential with CLAD authorization OR the equivalent. They should consult the Bilingual Authorization advisor to plan their course of study.

Program Admission Requirements

  1. Complete all prerequisite courses in one of the five MSCP pathways, with a minimum grade of “B” in EDEL 380  and EDSP 303  and no grade lower than “C” in any corequisite course.
  2. Attain a grade point average of at least 2.5 in an acceptable baccalaureate degree or a grade point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester or 90-quarter units attempted.
  3. Complete and pass an interview with a department faculty member.
  4. Obtain one 1) Confidential Recommendation form. Candidates must submit the name and email address for one (1) Recommender via MyCED. MyCED will send out the confidential recommendation form to the recommender via electronically..
  5. Submit EDEL 380  Final Clinical Practice Evaluation or the name and email for a second recommender.
  6. Submit a typed personal statement describing why you have chosen teaching as a career, what you hope to accomplish as a teacher, and how you view the role of the teacher.
  7. Submit a negative tuberculosis skin test taken within the last four (4) years or chest X-ray taken within the last eight (8) years. Tuberculosis clearance must be valid through student teaching.
  8. Submit one photocopy of all university and/or college transcripts.
  9. Submit proof of having demonstrated subject matter competence. For more information on the options to meet subject matter competency, visit the website at www.csulb.edu/mscp.
  10. Attach a copy of a current CTC Clearance (Certificate of Clearance, 30 Day Sub Permit, Child Development Permit or Activity Supervisor Permit).
  11. Demonstrate ability to communicate orally in English at the level required of public school teachers by demonstration of English production skills in the course EDEL 380  (EDEL 200  for ITEP candidates) and through an oral interview with department faculty.
  12. Demonstrate character and personality traits that satisfy the standards of the teaching profession and suitable aptitude for teaching in public schools through the application documentation, the personal interview, and performance in the course EDEL 380 . Candidates must continue to demonstrate appropriate character and personality traits through completion of the program.
  13. Submit the application on MyCED, including documentation, by May 1st to begin pedagogy courses in summer/fall, OR December 1st to begin pedagogy courses during spring terms. 

Multiple Subject Credential Program Structure

The MSCP is a 40-unit program requiring 600 hours of clinical practice distributed across the arc of the program and directly aligned with the curriculum of the program. The program is separated into three successive phases of clinical practice (i.e., school-based experiences).  Clinical Practice hours are logged using MyCED.

Phase One

Students complete program prerequisites (and may take any or all corequisites) and submit a program application. Early Clinical Practice (also known as Clinical Practice I) consists of spending a number of hours assisting and observing at a public elementary school site. These Clinical Practice hours are embedded in the prerequisite and corequisite courses. Course syllabi will describe the number of hours and activities associated with Clinical Practice I.

Prerequisites

Post-Bacc students take the following courses concurrently:

Corequisites

May be taken prior to or after admission to the MSCP, but must be completed prior to student teaching:

Phase Two

After admission into the program, students complete the five subject specific pedagogy/methods courses. Depending on the pathway selected, these courses may be structured differently. See the specific pathway website for more details on the structure.

Advancement to Student Teaching Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements to advance to student teaching:

  1. Completion of all program prerequisite, corequisite and subject specific pedagogy requirements in Phases 1 and 2 of one of the MSCP pathways. Students must complete all five subject specific pedagogy (methods) courses with a 3.0 grade point average and no grade lower than “C.” A grade of “D” or “F” in a program course will result in being placed on academic warning. In addition, EDEL 413  and EDEL 431  must be completed with a “C” grade or better. The overall grade point average must continue to meet the program admission standard.
  2. A negative tuberculosis skin test or chest x-ray valid through completion of student teaching.
  3. Proof of valid CTC Clearance (30 Day Sub Permit, Activity Supervisor Permit, or Child Development Permit).
  4. Bilingual Authorization candidates must meet additional bilingual authorization pedagogy and culture of emphasis requirements (see BILA Pathway, below).
  5. Submission of a student teaching application by the appropriate deadline.

Pedagogy/Methods

Must be admitted to the MSCP program to enroll in the following courses:

Phase Three

Student Teaching - This is the culminating clinical practice activity also known as clinical practice III. Candidates enroll in two sections of student teaching courses for a total of 12 units and then a student teaching seminar. The Student Teaching Support Course enrollment depends on the pathway that the candidate is pursuing.

Sequence of Courses

Some Pathways may have specific prerequisite and co-requisite courses. For more information, visit the following sites:

  • Bilingual Authorization in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, and Vietnamese (available for each pathway) (post-baccalaureate and undergraduate)
  • Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) (undergraduate only)
  • Internship Program (post-baccalaureate only)
  • Traditional Multiple Subject Credential Program (post-baccalaureate)
  • UTEACH Multiple Subject Credential Program (post-baccalaureate and undergraduate)

Traditional MSCP ITEP& Post-Baccalareate Student Teaching

BILA ITEP& Post-Bacc Student Teaching

Internship Pathway

UTEACH ITEP& Post-Bacc Student Teaching

The UTEACH pathway combines phase two and three in the Multiple Subject Credential Program. Candidates in this pathway will enroll in courses in the following sequence:

Student Teaching

The final phase of the MSCP is student teaching. For some candidates, student teaching is a full-time five days per week experience for the length of the university semester. Candidates in alternative pathways may have different student teaching schedules. All student teachers will have placement in public school TK-8 self-contained classrooms within the CSULB service area. For more information on student teaching assignments, please visit the Multiple Subject Credential Program website. A separate application is required to advance to student teaching. Applications for student teaching must be submitted to the CED Student Success & Advising Center one semester prior to the first assignment. Application packets are available at www.csulb.edu/mscp. Deadlines for submitting applications to student teach are:

March 15 - for Fall Student Teaching

October 1 - for Spring Student Teaching

Students should note that these deadlines are firm. Late applications are not accepted.

Student Teaching and Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) Support

The Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP) recognizes that student teaching is the pivotal moment when theory meets practice, your chance to bring everything you’ve learned to life in a real classroom. This phase is not only important for your professional growth but also for shaping your confidence and identity as a teacher. You are not alone on this journey. We have intentionally built a network of supports to help you make a smooth transition into the classroom and to guide you as you take on greater responsibility for student learning. These supports also include guidance on completing the State Mandated Teacher Performance Assessments (TPAs). Our supports include:

1. Personalized mentoring from a dedicated University Mentor who will provide onsite and virtual guidance, offering feedback, encouragement, and expertise (i. e., EDEL 482A , EDEL 482B , EDEL 482D , or EDEL 572).

2. A Student Teaching Support Course will provide support in creating an affirmative learning environment and submitting State-Mandated Teacher Performance Assessments. This course ensures you feel confident and well-equipped for success. (i. e., EDEL 483  or EDEL 484A , or EDEL 484B )