Preliminary Multiple Subject/Single Subject Preconditions

General Education Multiple Subject/Single Subject (GE) Precondition 1: Limitation on Program Length

The professional preparation coursework that all candidates are required to complete shall be equivalent to no more than two years of full-time study at the institution. The limitation applies to postgraduate teacher preparation programs. The limitation does not apply to blended/integrated programs of subject matter preparation and professional preparation teaching internship programs. Reference: Education Code Section 44259 (a) and (b) (3).

GE Precondition 1 is met as follows:

Candidates admitted to the general education credentialing programs spend one academic year in full-time coursework and student teaching. Candidates may then apply for a preliminary California state teaching credential in either Multiple Subjects or Single Subject (Art, English, Mathematics, Science: Biological Sciences, Science: Chemistry, Science: Geosciences, Science: Physics, Social Science, World Languages: French, or World Languages: Spanish). A description of the span and sequence for each credential program can be found in the following linked documents: Multiple Subject and Single Subject. Candidates in this program complete their credential coursework first and then the option of completing a master’s degree the following year. Limitation on program length is posted on the website under Time Limit on Courses and Attendance Verification.  

Additional information regarding limitation on program length and course sequencing can be found in the Multiple and Single Subject Credential Handbook linked here (pgs. 15-18) for Multiple Subject candidates and linked here (pgs. 55-57) for Single Subject candidates. As outlined in Northeastern University’s Regulations Applying to All Degree Programs, “Course credits earned in the program of graduate study, or accepted by transfer, are valid for a maximum of seven years unless the relevant graduate office grants an extension.” 

GE Precondition 2: Limitation on Student Teaching Prerequisites 

No college or university shall require candidates to complete more than the equivalent of nine semester units of professional preparation courses (as defined in Program Precondition 1) prior to allowing candidates to enroll in student teaching in elementary or secondary schools. This restriction may be increased to the equivalent of twelve semester units if the student teaching prerequisites include study of alternative methods of English language development as required by Program Precondition 7. Reference: Education Code Section 44320 (a).

GE Precondition 2 is met as follows: 

Once admitted into the credential program, candidates take a portion of the required courses during a summer session providing them with essential knowledge and skills for a successful field experience. During the fall and spring semesters, candidates take the remaining required courses concurrently with student teaching. A description of the sequence of coursework and fieldwork can be found in the Academic Plan for Credential Students in the ELJJ Handbook (pg. 16). Mills College at Northeastern University School of Education programs support candidates to have experiences in a classroom. This is accomplished both with course work that explicitly and purposefully connect with field experiences as well as  direction and supervision from experienced practitioners in the form of Cooperating Teachers and Program Supervisors.

GE Precondition 3: English Language Skills

In each program of professional preparation, the college or university or school district requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge of alternative methods of developing English language skills, including reading, among all pupils,  including those for whom English is a second language, in accordance with the Commission's standards. Reference: Education Code Section 44259 (b) and 44259.5.

GE Precondition 3 is met as follows: 

All candidates for General Education (Multiple and Preliminary Single Subject) Programs will demonstrate knowledge of alternative methods for developing English language skills, including those for whom English is a second language. Learning about language and cultural diversity will be a foundational element of this program; all candidates are required to take an English Language Development Methods course and at least one course in the teaching of literacy development for students of diverse linguistic backgrounds. Furthermore, clinical placements in linguistically diverse classrooms are prioritized when selecting placement classrooms.

Courses covering development of English Language Skills include EDUT 6112 and 6113 (Methodologies of English-Language Development and Content Instruction) for all students, EDUT 6106, EDUT 6107, and EDUT 6108 (Multiliteracies 1-3 – Multiple Subjects) for Multiple Subjects candidates, and EDUT 6109 and EDUT 6110 (Multiliteracies  1-2 – Single Subject) for Single Subjects candidates. Coursework sequencing can be found on the following linked documents: ELJJ (MS/SS) Coursework Descriptions and within our Multiple Subject Single Subject Credential Handbook linked here (pg. 14) for Multiple Subject Candidates and linked here (pg. 56) for Single Subject Candidates. 

Additional information will be addressed in Stage IV: Program Standards 7 Literacy TPEs.

GE Precondition 4: Undergraduate Student Enrollment 

Undergraduate students of any campus of the California State University or the  University of California shall be allowed to enroll in any professional preparation course. Reference: Education Code Section 44320 (a).

Precondition 4 does not apply to candidates of the General Education (Multiple and Single Subject) Programs at Mills College at Northeastern University. 

GE Precondition 5: Assessing Candidates for Subject Matter Competence. 

The program sponsor has a timely and systematic process for evaluating and notifying candidates of their standing in relation to the subject matter competence requirement. This process includes: 

• Providing candidates with clear and accurate information in all advising and application materials about all options available to demonstrate subject matter competence, pursuant to Education Code Section 44259(b)(5)(a). 

• Within the first 60 days of the candidate’s admission, the institution must complete an assessment of each candidate’s standing in relation to demonstration of the subject matter competence requirement, including whether a coursework evaluation will be needed, and notify the candidate of that standing.

GE Precondition 5 is met as follows:

Mills College at Northeastern University General Education (Multiple and Preliminary Single Subject) Programs  will include in its recruitment and enrollment literature information about the options available to demonstrate subject matter competence (pgs. 33 & 46), including testing, course work, or a combination of both as specified in the Education Code Section 44259(b)(5)(a). Program faculty and staff review a candidate’s transcript and completed template before fully verifying, partially verifying, or denying that the candidate satisfies the subject matter requirement through qualifying undergraduate coursework. 

Candidates’ subject matter competence standing will be recorded on Slate as one of the admission decision criteria. Upon admission, candidates will be informed of their standing and, when appropriate, the deadline (within 60 days)  for coursework evaluation pending required documentation provided by each candidate.  After said evaluation, candidates will be provided of options for them to meet the subject matter requirement, including having to complete an observational placement until they meet the requirement. Candidates will be informed the deadline by which they must meet this requirement in order to meet the field experience hour minimum.

Additional information regarding assessing candidates for subject matter competence can be found in the Multiple Subject Single Subject Credential Handbook linked here (pg. 34) for Multiple Subject Candidates and linked here (pg. 47) for Single Subject Candidates. 

GE Precondition 6: Demonstration of Subject Matter Competence

The approved preliminary teacher preparation program sponsor determines that each candidate meets the subject matter requirement prior to being given daily whole class instructional responsibilities in a TK-12 school. A) For Multiple Subject and Single Subject programs, the candidate provides  evidence of having demonstrated subject matter competence through one of  the following methods: 

1. Completion of a subject matter program approved by the Commission on the basis of standards of program quality and effectiveness.  Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(i). 

2. Passage of a Commission-approved subject matter examination.  Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(ii). 

3. 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 in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation.  Coursework completed at a community or junior college that is regionally accredited by an accrediting agency listed in subparagraph (A)  of paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) of Section 44203 or by the Accrediting  Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western  Association of Schools and Colleges may count for purposes of this clause. Reference: Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(iii). 

4. Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a  regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following,  as applicable. 

   1. • i. For Single Subject credentials, a major in one of the subject areas in which the Commission credentials candidates, as indicated in  Education Code Sections 44259(b)(5)(A)(iv)(I) and 44282 (b).  

      • ii. For Multiple Subject credentials, a liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas as indicated in Education Code 44259(b)(5)(A)(iv)(II) and 44282 (b).

5. A combination of the methods described in 1, 2, or 3 above that together demonstrate that the candidate has met or exceeded the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the Commission. Education Code 44259 (b)(5)(A)(v), and 44282 (b).

GE Precondition 6 is met as follows:

Mills College at Northeastern University assures that each Multiple Subject/Single Subject candidate admitted into the program has passed the Commission-approved subject matter examinations(s) for the subject area(s) in which the candidate is authorized to teach, and each Single Subject candidate admitted into the program has passed the Commission-approved subject matter examination(s) or completed the subject matter program for the subject areas(s) in which the candidate is authorized to teach. Graduate Admissions staff verify that candidates have passed the CSET through Slate during the admissions process. 

Candidates may alternatively meet the subject matter requirement through several new options as outlined in AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statutes of 2021). Conditionally admitted candidates may submit documentation to program faculty and staff demonstrating that they have met the subject matter requirement for their desired credential through “successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirements adopted by the commission in the content area of the credential pursuant to Section 44282, as verified by a Commission-approved program of professional preparation” (Commission on Teacher Credentialing, 2022). Before admittance, prospective students complete a Subject Matter Requirement Self Assessment Form. Program faculty, the Credential Analyst, and academic advisors review a candidate’s transcript and completed Subject Matter Requirement Self-Assessment Form and utilize templates before fully verifying, partially verifying, or denying that the candidate satisfies the subject matter requirement through qualifying undergraduate coursework. 

The Credential Analyst will schedule meetings within 60 days of admission and will provide each candidate with specific and precise information about their situation, options, and possible outcomes. Candidates will sign and receive a copy of a Subject Matter Requirement Individualized Plan describing their status, options, deadlines, requirements, and potential implications toward obtaining a preliminary teaching credential. Candidates will be informed of options available to meet the subject matter requirement as well as a timeline for meeting the required 600 hours of clinical practice before completing all required coursework. The Credential Analyst tracks submission of candidates’ documents to the secure learning management system. Students can view internal due dates for required documents as shown in the example here. 

Additional information regarding subject matter requirements can be found in the Multiple and Single Subject Credential Handbook linked here (pg. 34) for Multiple Subject candidates and linked here (pg. 47) for Single Subject candidates. Additionally, these subject matter requirement document templates will be made available on our Mills College at Northeastern School of Education landing page. 

GE Precondition 7: Completion of Requirements

A college or university or school district that operates a program for the Preliminary Multiple or Single Subject Credential shall determine, prior to recommending a candidate for the credential, that the candidate meets all legal requirements for the credential, including but not limited to: 

• Possession of a baccalaureate or higher degree other than in professional education from a regionally accredited institution

• Completion of Basic Skills Requirement

• Completion of an accredited professional preparation program

• Completion of the subject matter requirement

• Demonstration of knowledge of the principles and provisions of the Constitution of the United States

• Passage of the Teaching Performance Assessment

• Passage of the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (for Multiple Subject candidates).

Reference: Education Code Sections 44259 (b) and 44283 (b) (8)

GE Precondition 7 is met as follows:

Mills College at Northeastern University will ensure that each candidate in the General Education (Multiple and Single Subject) Programs possesses a baccalaureate or more advanced degree, other than professional education from a regionally accredited institution; has met the Basic Skills requirement; completes an accredited professional preparation program and the subject matter requirement; demonstrates knowledge of the principles and provisions of the Constitution of the United States; passes the Teaching Performance Assessment; and passes the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (for Multiple Subject candidates) prior to recommending a candidate for credentials. The Academic Coordinator & Credential Analyst is responsible for maintaining a checklist of the above mentioned legal requirements and gathering all related evidence and documentation. The checklist of requirements the Academic Coordinator & Credential Analyst utilizes in order to ensure that candidates can be recommended for a preliminary credential can be found here: Multiple Subject Checklist and Single Subject Checklist.