Elementary Education Program (Multiple Subject)

Upcoming Dates: 

July 9, 2025: 9:30 - 10:30am - Link to Register

July 23, 2025: 3:30 - 4:30pm - Link to Register

August 6, 2025: 9:30 - 10:30am - Link to Register

To become an elementary school teacher you will need a Multiple Subject Credential.

The Elementary Education Credential Program at Cal Poly Humboldt is a two-semester course of study starting each Fall semester and concluding after the Spring semester. By completing our 44-unit professional education program, candidates can obtain a Preliminary Multiple Subject  Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, qualifying them for multiple subject teaching positions, primarily in grades TK-8. 

If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact our Program Coordinator, Keshnee Naidoo at kmn67@humboldt.edu or keshnee.naidoo@humboldt.edu. 

Traditional Format

The Elementary Education program is available as a two-semester program with a Fall semester start and a Spring semester finish and is an in-person program with coursework after 4pm at Cal Poly Humboldt. For this format of the program, candidates have two student teaching placements and work under the mentorship and in the classroom of a credentialed K-8 teacher. Working while in this format of the program is not recommended.

Intern Format

This two-year format of the Elementary Education Program requires employment (halftime or above) at a public school as a teacher in a multiple subjects classroom in Humboldt County. Hiring processes at school sites are negotiated between the candidate and the school’s administration, and Cal Poly Humboldt cannot assist or engage with the employment decisions of the district. Once employment is secured, the School of Education can assist in advising and enrollment. This program is for candidates who have prior experience teaching without a credential. The Intern program’s coursework is extended over a two-year period. This program has courses that are a combination of online and synchronous, in-person, and hybrid formats. For more information, contact Keshnee Naidoo at kmn67@humboldt.edu.

1. Apply to the credential program and complete all application requirements (see "Application Requirements" below.
2. Interview with Cal Poly Humboldt's School of Education
3. Admission decisions are made late April/early May

Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor's degree or higher is required for admission to a credential program. You are welcome to apply for our credential programs if your bachelor's degree will be complete by the end of Spring 2026. If you have not yet obtained a bachelor's degree visit our undergraduate pathway programs page.

Minimum GPA: 2.67 
A minimum of a 2.67 overall GPA is required for application to our credential programs. If you do not meet this minimum, we do also consider a 2.75 GPA for the last 60 semester units. A low-GPA appeals process is available. Please contact Keshnee Naidoo for more details at kmn67@humboldt.edu.

Attend a Virtual Information Session
All applicants must attend a virtual information session. Dates are updated periodically above.

Complete an Application
Apply to Cal Poly Humboldt via Cal State Apply (CSU) - Choose "Fall 2026" and "Multiple Subject Credential Program". Application Window: October 1, 2025 - March 1, 2026

Two Recommendations 
You will need to request 2 digital recommendations to be submitted directly to Cal State Apply. Contact your potential references prior to entering their information into Cal State Apply and "saving a recommendation". Academic and professional recommendations are both acceptable. It might be more pertinent for you to ask a professor to give you a recommendation if you are applying to the credential program right out of school. If you've already been in the workforce for several years, having a professional colleague give you a recommendation might be more relevant. Once you have saved an electronic recommendation to Cal State Apply, an email request will automatically be sent to the recommender on your behalf. Please advise your recommender to look for the email from Cal State Apply in their Spam folder if they are unable to locate the email!

Personal Statement
A short personal statement about your experience and why you want to become a teacher is required within the application via Cal State Apply.

Transcripts and Resume
You will attach unofficial copies of your transcript to your application as well as a copy of your most up to date resume.

View all these requirements and more in our program and application requirements PDF: SED Program & Application Requirements (PDF)

Prioritize the subject matter proficiency requirement as it is the most time intensive requirement and is the most likely to be delayed!

1. 20 hours of Early Fieldwork (due by interview - late March/Early April)

• Observe a California Credentialed teacher for a minimum of 20 hours. New documentation form is being developed!
• Suggested to be grade level specific (elementary/middle school level)
• Must be in a contained classroom (not an after school program or summer camp).
• Observation has to be of a California credentialed teacher.
• Course fulfilling this requirement offered at Cal Poly Humboldt: SED 210/410
• Experience as a substitute teacher can count for all of the hours if at the elementary or middle school level
• Experience as an instructional aide in a credentialed teacher's classroom at the secondary level can count for all of the hours

2. Obtain CTC Fingerprint Clearance (due by June 30th - apply early!)

The most common way to complete this requirement is by obtaining a Certificate of Clearance. It can take up to 6 weeks for the CTC to process your application so apply early! You cannot reuse fingerprints for the Certificate of Clearance - form 41-LS is required to be taken to a fingerprinting facility. A valid 30 Day Sub Permit or other CTC permit will be accepted as well. Instructions for obtaining a Certificate of Clearance can be found HERE.

3. Subject Matter Proficiency (due by June 30 if admitted)

• Details from the CTC about Subject Matter Proficiency
• There are multiple ways to meet this requirement.
• Typically met through CSET: Multiple Subjects or qualifying undergraduate major.
• Can be met through a transcript review once all official transcripts are sent to Cal Poly Humboldt admissions (digital is preferred) - apply early if taking this route!
• For the CSET: testing dates at Cal Poly Humboldt testing center are very limited in June
• Following the submission of your application, you will receive an email that details what you need to do to complete this requirement!

4. US Constitution Courses (due by Aug 1 if admitted):

• All CSU graduates have already met this requirement.
• You may have met this requirement through your undergraduate degree by taking a course that specifically covers the principles and provisions of the US Constitution or by passing the AP US History or AP Government Exam with a 3+. If you did not, a test is required. If you are not a CSU graduate, contact Keshnee Naidoo, the Program Coordinator, at kmn67@humboldt.edu for information on how you will fulfill this requirement.

5. Valid CPR Certification (due by Aug 1 if admitted): 

• must be adult, child, AND infant
• must be either American Heart Association or Red Cross
• must be an in person or blended format (must have some in person component)
• must be valid at some point while in program

6. Heath Verification (due by Aug 1 if admitted):

• recent TB screening/negative TB test
• proof of MMR immunization or MMR antibody blood titer test

Tuition and costs information for the 2025-2026 academic year can be found on the Cost of Attendance page by scrolling down to the table titled "Teaching Credential: Cost of Attendance 2025-2026". Financial Aid information specific to credential students can be found on the Financial Aid: Just for Credential Students page. Information about scholarships for School of Education students can be found on the School of Education Scholarships page.

After meeting credential requirements, you’ll be recommended for a preliminary credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), which is valid for five years. Within the first three years of being hired as an educator, you will be required to participate in an induction program to clear your credential.