Program Overview

In the state of California, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) awards credentials to teachers upon the recommendation of colleges and universities with approved teacher education programs. USD’s approved teacher education program for elementary and special education teachers is the Liberal Studies (LS) major. The LS major is open only to students intending to become elementary or special education teachers.

The LS major is a nine-semester program that consists of required LS Core courses, courses within a chosen Concentration, and Professional Preparation courses. With careful planning, it is possible for USD undergraduate students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a preliminary teaching credential in four years if they carry 18 units per semester and/or take courses during the summer and/or intersession. For students majoring in LS, the following credentials are offered:

• Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential-2042 for elementary teaching
• Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential/BCLAD-2042 Emphasis in Spanish for bilingual elementary teaching
• Level I Education Specialist Credential for teaching in special education in early childhood special education (birth-five years) or in grades K-12 (Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe).

USD also offers the Single Subject Credential for teaching in middle and secondary education. A separate Single Subject Handbook is available from the School of Leadership and Education Sciences for students interested in becoming middle or high school teachers.

Declaring the Major
In order to pursue an academic program leading to a degree and teaching credential, students must declare their major as soon as possible, preferably in their first semester. Delay in declaring the major can lead to delay in graduation.

• File the Declaration of Major form with one of the Coordinators:
  Dr. Kay Etheridge – Founders Hall 125 – (619)-260-2913
  If your last name starts with the letter A-L
  Dr. Lynn McGrath – Founders Hall 125 – (619)-260-2913
  If your last name starts with the letter M-Z
  

Demonstrating Subject Matter Competency
The CCTC requires that candidates for multiple subject credentials demonstrate knowledge of the subjects taught in public elementary school classrooms. Candidates demonstrate knowledge by taking all required LS Core and Concentration courses ( with a grade of C or higher, no pass/fail), and passing the CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers).

LS Core and Concentration Academic Requirements

• LS Core and Concentration courses may not be taken pass/fail.
• Only grades of C or higher in LS Core and Concentration courses satisfy program requirements.
• LS majors must save all major assignments and exams completed in LS Core courses for possible inclusion in the Final Project to be created in ENGL 306W.
• The course ENGL 306W should be taken within the last 30 units of course work at USD.
  

CSET Requirement

• The State of California requires that all elementary school teachers pass the CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers).
• The State of California recommends and many school districts require that all mild/moderate and moderate severe education specialists pass the CSET.
• Early childhood education specialist candidates do NOT have to pass the CSET at this time.
• All portions of the CSET must be taken (though not necessarily passed) before enrolling in ENGL 306W. Students who enroll in the course without having met this requirement will be dropped.

Upon successful completion of all subject matter requirements, including ENGL 306W and the CSET, candidates will receive a Subject Matter Letter. The Subject Matter Letter is required for applying to enter student teaching and will be sent to SOLES either during intersession or summer after all course grades are posted..

Students who do not meet LS Core and Concentration grade requirements and/or do not pass the CSET do not receive the Subject Matter Letter and do not qualify to enter student teaching.  Students who meet University requirements for graduation but do not meet all requirements for entry into student teaching may graduate with the LS major if they have completed at least 9 Professional Preparation units.

Example of Subject Matter Letter