Secondary Education Program (Single Subject)

Upcoming Dates: 

Tuesday August 4th: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - Link to Register

Wednesday September 9th: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Link to Register

Wednesday September 30th: 9 AM - 10 AM - Link to Register

To become a middle school or high school teacher you will need a Single Subject Credential.

The Secondary 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 38-unit professional education program, candidates can obtain a Single Subject Preliminary Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, qualifying them for secondary education teaching positions, primarily in grades 7-12.

The coursework in the Fall semester prepares student teachers for full-time student teaching in the Spring semester. Student teachers take on teaching responsibilities in the Spring and stay at their school site placement until the end of the public school semester in June.

Local/In-Person
This one-year format includes fieldwork in the classroom of a credentialed teacher in Humboldt County, with courses completed in-person at Cal Poly Humboldt. This format is for those residing between Ferndale and Trinidad or for those with the ability to drive to campus ~4x per week. The program begins in the Fall and is completed after Spring semester. A student in this program must be available from early to mid August through the end of the academic year of the local school where the student is placed (early to mid June) We do not recommend this program for those who need to work while obtaining a credential.

Distance/Online
This one-year format allows you to complete fieldwork in the classroom of a credentialed teacher in your local area while attending courses synchronously via Zoom. There is no requirement to visit Cal Poly Humboldt at any time during the program. The program begins in the Fall and is completed after Spring semester. A student in this program must be available from early to mid August through the end of the academic year of the local school where the student is placed (early to mid June) We do not recommend this program for those who need to work while obtaining a credential. We are committed to offering educational opportunities to individuals living in remote areas of California, where access to other teacher preparation programs is limited.

Intern
This two-year format requires employment (halftime or above) at a public school as a teacher of record in your desired subject area. 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. The Intern program’s coursework is extended over a two-year period starting in the Fall Semester. For more information, visit Single Subject - Intern Program.

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.

• Art
• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• Geoscience
• Industrial Technology
• Math
• Music
• Physical Education
• Physics
• Social Science
• World Languages

1. Apply to the credential program via Cal State Apply and complete all application requirements (see "Application Requirements" below) by March 1st. Choose Fall 2027 and "Single Subject Program". Choose with program format (In Person or Distance) and subject you want to teach within the application. 
2. Complete the Early Fieldwork Requirement by the time of the interview (late March/early April).
3. Interview with Cal Poly Humboldt's School of Education (late March/early April).
4. Admission decisions are made by late April.

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 2027. 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 above periodically.

Complete an Application
Apply to Cal Poly Humboldt via Cal State Apply (CSU) - Choose "Fall 2027" and "Single Subject Credential Program". Application Window: October 1, 2026 - March 1, 2027. 

NOTE: The "Single Subject Credential Program" is listed as a "face to face" program. Once you start an application, you can designate which format you would like to apply to (in person for Humboldt County residents or online/intern if you are interested in the intern option/live in a rural area of CA). 

Two Digital Recommendations via Cal State Apply
Request at least two digital recommendations to be submitted directly through Cal State Apply. Academic and professional recommendations are both acceptable. If you are currently enrolled in college, a recommendation from a professor may be most appropriate. If you have been working professionally, a supervisor or colleague may be a stronger reference. We recommend you submit a recommendation from someone who can speak to your ability to complete the credential program and one from someone who is able to speak to how you work with young people. Applicants may submit an optional third recommendation.

Once you save a recommendation request in Cal State Apply, an email will automatically be sent to your recommender. Please advise recommenders to check their Spam folder if they do not receive the email. Be sure to monitor the status of your recommendations, as applications with fewer than two completed recommendations submitted by the application deadline will be not be considered. Letters of Recommendation emailed or mailed to the School of Education will not be considered.

Personal Statement
A personal statement describing your experiences and your motivation for becoming a teacher is required as part of your Cal State Apply application. If you are reapplying to the program, please also explain why you feel prepared to complete the program at this time and/or describe what has changed since your previous application.

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. If you are in need of a subject matter transcript evaluation, be sure to attach all transcripts with relevant coursework to your application and apply as early in the application window as you are able.

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.
• Suggested to be grade level specific (secondary level) and in your subject area.
• 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 secondary level
• Experience as an instructional aide in a credentialed teacher's classroom at the secondary level can count for all of the hours.

• Early Field Experience Verification Form (link HERE) to be submitted at the interview

  Early Field Experience Verification Form

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, a two step process. Instructions for obtaining a Certificate of Clearance can be found HERE.

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 ahead of applying for the Certificate of Clearance directly with the CTC. A valid 30 Day Sub Permit or other CTC permit will be accepted as well. 

3. Subject Matter Competence 

DUE: By June 30th 

• Details from the CTC about Subject Matter Competence
• There are multiple ways to meet this requirement.
• Typically met through CSET 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 and attach ALL transcripts to your application as we are only able to evaluate coursework for those who have applied.
• For the CSET: Testing dates at Cal Poly Humboldt testing center are very limited in June and July. All CSET subtests must be passed and scores received by Cal Poly Humboldt by June 30th.

4. US Constitution Courses

DUE: By August 1st

• 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 August 1st

• 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 August 1st

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

Subject Matter Competence Requirement

Our program maintains a timely and systematic process for evaluating and notifying candidates of their standing in relation to the California subject matter competence requirement.

Within the first 60 days of admission to the program, each candidate’s standing in relation to the subject matter competence requirement is formally assessed. This assessment includes determining whether a coursework (transcript) evaluation is needed and identifying any remaining requirements. Candidates are notified of their status and next steps via email by the Program Coordinator.

Options for Demonstrating Subject Matter Competence

The Secondary and Elementary Education programs require that subject matter competence be demonstrated by June 30th either through 1) completion of an approved subject matter program, 2) passage of a Commission-approved subject matter examination (CSET), 3) successful completion of coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions verified by transcript evaluation completed by a Cal Poly Humboldt evaluator, 4) successful completion of a qualifying baccalaureate or higher degree (see options here), or 5) a combination of the described.

Candidates are encouraged to consult with the program coordinator to determine the appropriate pathway and to ensure all required documentation is submitted in a timely manner. 

Tuition and costs information for the 2026-2027 academic year can be found on the Cost of Attendance page by scrolling down to the table titled "Teaching Credential: Cost of Attendance 2026-2027". 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.

The following undergraduate programs, offered by other Cal Poly Humboldt academic departments, allow you to waive the subject matter exams--a requirement for the Secondary Education Credential Program. 

Visit the corresponding department website below for more information:

• Art Education
• English/Language Arts Education
• Mathematics Education
• Music Education
• Physical Education
• History Education
• Spanish Education  

*Please note that some of the above are concentrations. 

After meeting basic 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.

Prepares physical education teachers to work with preschool and school-aged children and youth with disabilities.

Find out more about this program

Learn more about the Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential on the CTC Website: CTC Webpage for Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential.