California State Minimum Standard for Subject Matter Competence
There are different ways to prove subject matter competence for applicants: by examination, by completion of an approved subject-matter program, by completion of a degree in exact subject area, by coursework and by combination of coursework and CSETs.
1) Subject Matters Examination - California Subject Exam for Teachers (CSET)
You may satisfy the minimum competence standard in your subject area by passing the CSET. Candidates must pass a minimum of two subtests in your subject area before starting the program in June, 2024. We strongly encourage students to take the CSET in March as results from the May exam may not reach Stanford before the program begins in June. Test results take approximately six weeks to be received by the University. By January of your MA year you will need to have passed ALL of the subtests in your subject area in order to begin your independent student teaching.
For test dates, locations, registration and additional information please visit www.cset.nesinc.com.
Please have NES send your scores to Stanford: code 582.
Advanced registration is required for CSET testing. Please be aware that test scores take up to six weeks to reach Stanford. Sign up online at www.cset.nesinc.com
2) Approved Subject Matter Program
Certain California institutions have been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to offer subject matter programs (essentially, specialized majors) that meet state requirements for subject matter competence, in lieu of the approved CSET exam. This program verifies that you have completed the course work (undergraduate or graduate level) that that university feels is critical to a solid subject matter understanding.
If you are completing a California subject matter approved program please send the original evaluation form/letter to Stanford. It must be the original letter signed by the education office at that institution stating your progress in their program. To begin STEP in June, you must have completed 100% of the coursework in the program.
3) Successful completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
For Single Subject candidates (STEP Secondary) the major must be an exact degree/credential match in one of the subjects named in Education code section 44257(a). For STEP, the bachelor’s degree or higher degree must be in one of these exact subject area:
1)English
2)World Languages (Spanish)
3)Mathematics
4)Science (including Biology, Chemistry, Geoscience or Earth and Space Science, and Physics)
5)Social Science
***At this time applied majors in the Single Subject credential areas also accepted. For instance, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics. Additionally, exact majors in one of the Single Subject areas that may have additional modifiers such as Biology: Environmental Biology; Art: Art History are also accepted.
For Multiple Subject candidates (STEP Elementary) the major must be Liberal Studies OR Liberal Studies with a concentration in the title such as Liberal Studies: Urban Education, Liberal Studies: Elementary Education.
***At this point, STEP will not ask for completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher to meet the subject matter proficiency requirement. If admitted to STEP, we will ask for official transcripts and this will allow us to track the requirement.
4) Successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education. The coursework must address each of the domains of the subject matter requirements in the content area of the credential.
For additional information about this option, go to this link
5) Through a combination of coursework and CSETs
For additional information about this option, go to this link
If you have any additional questions please contact Michaela Ruiz, Student Services Associate, by email at maruiz@stanford.edu
