The full rules governing authorizations can be found at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing's Web site. There are two categories of authorizations: Subject Matter Authorizations, "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB)-compliant authorizations which require 32 semester units (16 of which must be upper-division), and Supplementary Authorizations, non-NCLB-compliant authorizations requiring 10 upper-division units, or 20 units total. In practical terms, the Degree Authorization will allow the holder to actually teach the subject, while the Supplementary Authorization will primarily "look good" on the holder's resume.

Unlike primary subject matter competency issues, which are certified by a university, Authorizations are handled entirely by the staff members of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This means that, while the English Department makes suggestions about course selections, we can make no assurances that our recommendations will result in the issuance of an authorization.

Subject Matter Authorizations
The federal "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) rules state that all teachers must be "highly qualified" in their fields of instruction, which that law defines as having completed the equivalent of a major in the discipline (32 units, at least half of which are upper-division). This has resulted in the "Subject Matter Authorization," since California's rules for Supplementary Authorizations (10 upper-division or 20 total units in the discipline) do not meet the NCLB standards. Specific requirements for these authorizations can be found in the Subject Matter Authorizations Guideline Book (pdf file).

Supplementary Authorizations
As stated above, the "Supplementary Authorizations" listed below do not meet NCLB standards. It is unlikely that any new teachers holding these supplements will be assigned to teach the subject, at least while NCLB standards are adhered to in California. Still, the CCTC has no plans to discontinue the issuing of these authorizations. Full details of the rules governing Supplementary Authorizations can be found in the Supplementary Authorizations Guideline Book (pdf file).

Suggested Courses

• Literature courses:
  • ENGL 340 Approaches to Literary Genres
  • ENGL 341 Reading Literature
  • ENGL 356/357 Survey of British Literature
  • ENGL 358/359 Survey of American Literature
  • ENGL 353 Multicultural Literature
• Grammar or language structure courses:
  • ENGL 371 Principles of Language
  • ENGL 375 Introduction to English Grammar
• Composition courses:
  • ENGL 333 Advanced Composition for Future Teachers
  • ENGL 335 Rhetoric and Writing
  • ENGL 431 Theory and Practice in Tutoring Composition
• Speech courses:
  • CMST 131 Speech Communication Fundamentals
  • CMST 139 Forensics
• Drama courses:
  • THEA 110 Introduction to the Theatre
  • THEA 111 Literature in Performance
  • THEA 112 Acting for Non-Majors

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