Multiple Subject Credential Program (Code 200)

A teacher with a Multiple Subject Credential is authorized to teach grades pre-K through 12 in self-contained classrooms. The Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP) prepares students to be credentialed in the State of California for elementary instruction. The program allows for daytime field 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 department has five Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential Program (MSCP) Pathways:

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

For program information and advisement, contact the Teacher Preparation Advising Center (EED-67; 562/985- 1105) or visit the website: www.csulb.edu/tpac

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).
Complete the Basic Skills Requirement.
Hold a Certificate of Clearance (CTC fingerprint clearance).
Demonstrate Level I computer technology competence (embedded in program coursework).
Demonstrate subject matter competence by passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects (CSET: Multiple Subjects), through completion of a CTC approved subject matter preparation program, a degree in Liberal Studies or 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 Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) exam.
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.

Multiple Subject Credential Program Structure

The MSCP is a 40-unit program separated into three successive phases. Students must complete each phase before advancing to the next one.

Phase One - Students complete program prerequisites (and may take any or all corequisites) and submit application. Subject matter competence must be demonstrated at the time of application to the program. See the website at www.csulb.edu/mscp for more information.
Phase Two - Students complete corequisite courses and five subject specific pedagogy courses.
Phase Three - Students complete student teaching.

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 program.

Admission to the Program

Matriculated students may be admitted to the program based on their current undergraduate or graduate status. Pre-program advisement and is available in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center (EED-67). Prospective candidates may obtain a program application from the website at www.csulb.edu/mscp. Prospective candidates are encouraged to attend a program information meeting (see schedule at www.csulb.edu/mscp). Candidates are required to comply with all program policies and procedures detailed on the website at www.csulb.edu/mscp.

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

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

Program Admission Requirements

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.
Attain a grade point average of at least 2.67 in all baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate course work or a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the last 60 semester or 90-quarter units attempted.
Complete and pass an interview with a department faculty member.
Submit one (1) MSCP Recommendation Form.
Submit EDEL 380 Final Fieldwork Evaluation or a second recommendation form.
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.
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.
Submit one photocopy of all university and/or college transcripts.
Submit proof of meeting the Basic Skills Requirement. For information regarding CBEST visit www.cbest.nesinc.com. (CBEST attempt or other CTC Approved alternative)
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.
Attach a copy of a current Certificate of Clearance or a photocopy of a current California emergency/substitute teaching permit.
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. Bilingual Authorization candidates complete a bilingual interview in English and the target language.
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.
Submit the application packet, including documentation, by May 1st to begin pedagogy courses in summer, July 1st to begin pedagogy courses in fall, OR by December 1st to begin pedagogy courses in winter or spring terms. Applications will be accepted after the deadline on a space availability basis.

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 classrooms. 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 Teacher Preparation 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.

Advancement to Student Teaching Requirements

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

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.
Completion of the Basic Skills Requirement.
A negative tuberculosis skin test or chest x-ray valid through completion of student teaching.
Proof of identity and character clearance (current Certificate of Clearance).
Bilingual Authorization candidates must meet additional bilingual authorization pedagogy and culture of emphasis requirements (see BILA Pathway, below).
Submission of a student teaching application by the appropriate deadline.

Multiple Subject Internship Pathway

The intern pathway is for full-time teachers in districts with which CSULB has a contractual intern agreement. All students in this pathway must be employed by the district as the full-time teacher of record in a multiple subject classroom and have met all program and intern program admission requirements. The program requires 24 units of foundational and subject specific course work followed by 16 units of intern student teaching.

Application Requirements

Hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution within the U.S. or equivalent.
Demonstrate subject matter competence.
Meet the U.S. Constitution requirement (by course work or exam).
Complete the Basic Skills Requirement.
Have a full-time job offer in a self-contained K-8 multiple subject classroom in a partner school district.
Meet the program grade point average requirement of 2.67 overall or 2.75 in the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units.
Complete MSCP prerequisite, corequisite, and EDEL 442 courses.
Become officially admitted to the Multiple Subject Credential Program.
Complete an interview with the Intern Program Director.

Prerequisites (12 units)

Subject Specific Pedagogy (12 units)

EDEL 452 - Teaching and Learning Reading, K-8 (RICA) (3 units)
EDEL 462 - Teaching and Learning Mathematics, K-8 (3 units)
EDEL 472 - Teaching and Learning History-Social Science, K-8 (3 Units)
SCED 475 - Teaching and Learning Science, K-8 (3 units)

Student Teaching (16 units)

All requirements for advancement to student teaching must be met:

EDEL 572A - Multiple Subject Internship (8 units)
EDEL 572B - Multiple Subject Internship (8 units)

Additional Requirements for Bilingual Authorization Interns

Bilingual Authorization Interns should refer to BILA Pathway, below, for pedagogy and culture of emphasis requirements.

Early Completion Intern Option

The Early Completion Intern Option allows qualified candidates to challenge the course work portion of the internship program and demonstrate their pedagogical skills by passage of the California Teaching Performance Assessment while serving as an intern. See an advisor in the Teacher Preparation Advising Center for details.