History Department, CSU, Chico

Social Science Credential Option

The History Department 's Social Science Credential Option constitutes a major, one of the nine basic graduation requirements that all students must meet in order to obtain a bachelor's degree from CSU, Chico. It also provides the subject matter preparation necessary for entry into a single subject credential program, completion of which is required to qualify for a California teaching credential. Students who wish to earn a credential at CSU, Chico must complete courses that are prerequisites for the credential program (pdf), and should therefore plan their undergraduate coursework carefully.

Effective July 1, 2005 the History Department instituted a new Social Science Credential Option. Both it and the program it replaced are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing; however, only the new program meets the commission’s latest Standards of Quality and Effectiveness for History-Social Science Preparation Programs. No new students may enter the old (pre July 1, 2005) program. Only students who began coursework in the old program prior to July 1, 2005 are permitted in that program, and they must complete it by June 30, 2009. Since the new Social Science Credential Option is more closely aligned with the actual curriculum that teachers are required to teach, spelled out in the California History-Social Science Content Standards (pdf), even students who are eligible to continue in the old program are urged to consider pursuing the new one. Transfer students should meet with the Social Science Credential Option advisor before deciding which program to follow.

Students in the new program are strongly advised to keep copies of all work submitted in your history and social science classes, and retain the graded originals once they are returned: in order to be certified as subject matter competent, you will be required to submit a portfolio of your best work in HIST 495.

Two recent reports contain much useful information about career opportunities in California for prospective middle and high school teachers. Download The Status of the Teaching Profession (2007) (pdf) and Trends in California Teacher Demand: A County and Regional Perspective (2008) (pdf).

Program Philosphy & Goals
Program Requirements
Planning Your Program
Subject Matter Competence Assessment
Supplementary & Subject Matter Authorizations
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Credential Programs at CSU Chico
Advising

Program Exit Survey (pdf)