Subject Matter Competency (SMC) is required by credential programs statewide, private and public, for all disciplines. SMC can be attained in two ways: it can be granted by accredited colleges and universities through completion of approved course programs with certain GPA requirements; it can also be attained through state-sanctioned standardized tests.

Method 1: SMC Verification by Accredited Institutions
Subject Matter Competency can be granted by colleges and universities which have been accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Chico State is an accredited institution, and grants SMC to its students majoring in English with the Option in English Education who have:

• taken and passed all Core course requirements
• taken and passed all Breadth and Perspective course requirements in one of the three options: Editing and Publishing Pattern, the Language and Literacy Pattern, or the Theatre Arts Pattern
• earned a Cumulative GPA of 2.67 or higher, or a GPA of 2.75 or higher for the last 60 units completed

Once attained, subject matter competence clearance guarantees that no credential program can require extra coursework in English.

Method 2: SMC Verification by Examination
California's teacher credentialing body has determined that standardized testing is another means of assessing subject matter competency. Beginning in January 2003, the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) will be used to determine SMC by examination. Visit the National Evaluations Systems website to find out more about test. A portable-document-format (pdf) version of the Subject Matter Requirements which are covered by the CSET English test is also available.

Through 2002, achieving passing scores on the Praxis and Single Subject Assessments of Teaching (SSAT) tests in English resulted in the granting of subject matter competency: 

• Praxis II: English Language, Literature, and Composition: Essays (click here for an electronic version of the test information booklet--it requires Acrobat Reader to open) (Test # 20042). Passing Score: 
• 160 if taken prior to April 15,1999
• 155 if taken April 16, 1999 or later
• SSAT Literature and English Language (Test #01). Passing Score: 220.

Judith Rodby
Credential Adviser
English Education
Department of English
California State University, Chico
Chico, CA 95929-0830
530-898-5465
jrodby@csuchico.edu