Subject Matter Competence Requirements

Subject Matter Competence (SMC) is required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and must be met prior to being offered admission to the CSUEB PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction Credential Program. SMC approvals are only valid for the PK-3 ECE Credential Program offered at California State University, East Bay. Please note that the CTC is the final granting authority in relation to meeting the Subject Matter Competence requirement.

Applicants have two options to demonstrate subject matter competence for the PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Credential Program.

- OPTION 1: DEGREE. Possession of a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education in one of the EXACT majors listed below:

  1. Child Development

  2. Child and Adolescent Development

  3. Human Development

  4. Early Childhood Education

  5. Child and Family Studies

  6. Early Childhood Studies

  7. Human Development and Family Science

  8. Family Science

  9. Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies

Candidates who possess a degree in one of the exact majors listed above will demonstrate subject matter competence by uploading their unofficial transcript (showing the degree major and conferral date) when submitting the Department Application. 

OR

- OPTION 2: COURSEWORK. Completion of coursework in early childhood education and/or child development. All of the following requirements must be met in order for coursework to be accepted:

  1. 24 semester units or 36 quarter units  of non-remedial coursework

  2. A passing grade of C or better in each course used to meet the requirement

  3. Coursework must be completed at a regionally accredited institution of  higher education

  4. Coursework must be degree-applicable

Candidates seeking to meet subject matter competence through coursework must submit a completed Subject Matter Competency Coursework Evaluation Request when submitting the Department Application. Candidates will be informed of their SMC standing within 60 days of submitting the Subject Matter Competency Coursework Evaluation Request form. 

NOTE:

  • CSUEB Human Development B.A. Program Graduates (any pathway) will automatically meet the SMC requirement.
  • Professional or personal development classes are not accepted toward SMC requirements.
  • Applicants who have completed 12- 23 ECE/CD semester units (or equivalent quarter units) and meet all other application requirements may be conditionally admitted.
  • Applicants who hold a foreign degree MUST NOT submit their foreign transcripts. Foreign degree/coursework must be evaluated by a CTC-approved agency. For a list of approved agencies visit Foreign Transcript (www.WES.org is recommended).