Information
In order to become eligible to apply for a secondary education teaching credential for the Social Sciences in the State of California (grades 7-12), a teacher candidate must first complete the following “Subject Matter Competency Requirements in the Social Sciences for Prospective Secondary Educators at California State University, Northridge” (Successful completion of these requirements allows the student to bypass taking the state’s California Subject Exam for Teachers):
- You must complete a bachelor’s degree, preferably in the Social Science disciplines.
- You must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and receive NO grade below a C in ALL courses in the 60-unit Social Science Subject Matter Program.
- You must successfully pass the CSU Upper Division Writing Proficiency Exam with a score of “10” or higher.
- You must submit a complete Program Portfolio that is evaluated as either “Acceptable” or “Excellent.”
- You must apply and receive subject matter clearance from the SSSMP Program Director through the Social Science Subject Matter Program Office.
Effective as of Monday, August 25, 2008, students can schedule subject matter advisement appointments for the fall semester 2008 through the History Department, Sierra Tower, 610, by calling (818) 677-3566 (Monday through Friday, 9AM to 5PM). The location of the new Social Science Subject Matter Program office will be announced on this website as soon as it is available. Meanwhile, brochures that contain a current list of the “Courses in the Social Science Subject Matter Program,” along with additional information about the program and its requirements can be picked up from the History Department during its regular hours of operation during the fall semester.
Once you have scheduled an appointment, please make sure that you bring all of your college transcripts and a current DPR (formerly DARS) from California State University, Northridge with you when you come to meet with the advisor. At the time of your final evaluation, before any paperwork can be signed, you will need to bring a complete set of official transcripts with you for verification purposes. In the meantime, we look forward to meeting with you.
If you are not a CSUN student, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences charges a fifty dollar fee ($50.00) for a subject matter evaluation. Please let the office know in advance if this is the case and when you come for your appointment, please bring a check payable to California State University, Northridge at that time. (No cash or credit cards will be accepted, and please be advised that an evaluation does not necessarily result in an automatic waiver unless the applicant meets all of the qualifications).
Dr. Joyce L. Broussard, Ph.D.
Director of the Social Science Subject Matter Program for
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
California State University, Northridge
