Teaching Credential Programs — Chico State Skip to Main Content
California State University, Chico

Teaching Credential Programs

A list of teaching credential programs offered at Chico State. Have questions? Connect with Advising for additional help before you apply.

Campus Views Pathway

Pathways to a Credential

  • Single Subject (middle/high school)

    A teaching credential for instructing a specific subject, typically in middle or high school, such as math, science, or English.

    • Bilingual Authorization Single Subject: Hmong, Punjabi, or Spanish
    • Concurrent (Dual) Single Subject and Education Specialist
    • Single Subject

  • Multiple Subject (elementary school)

    A teaching credential for instructing multiple subjects, typically in elementary schools, where teachers cover various subjects in a self-contained classroom.

    • Bilingual Authorization Multiple Subject: Hmong, Punjabi, or Spanish
    • Concurrent (Dual) Multiple Subject and Education Specialist
    • ITEP
    • Multiple Subject
    • Paraprofessional Program

  • Education Specialist (K-12 special education)

    A credential for special education teaching of students with disabilities, specializing in areas like mild/moderate or extensive support needs.

    • Concurrent (Dual) Multiple Subject and Education Specialist
    • Concurrent (Dual) Single Subject and Education Specialist
    • Education Specialist
    • Paraprofessional Program
    • Add-On Program

Application Windows/Deadlines

  • December - March 1 (Fall Start)

    • Bilingual
    • Concurrent (Dual) Education Specialist
    • Education Specialist
    • Multiple Subject
    • Single Subject
    • Paraprofessional
    • Add-On Education Specialist
    • Post-Credential Bilingual Authorization

  • July - October 1 (Spring Start)

    • Education Specialist
    • Multiple Subject
    • Single Subject
      • Art, Music, and World Languages (Spanish) are Fall Start only
    • Paraprofessional
    • Add-On Education Specialist
    • Post-Credential Bilingual Authorization

Getting Started

Subject Matter Requirements

Subject Matter Requirements (SMR) must be verified before applying to the credential program. From the options below, please include one item for the Subject Matter Requirement in your application:

  • SMC using Academic Major Form - This form may be used by students who are applying to the Multiple Subject, Single Subject, Education Specialist, Concurrent, or Bilingual programs whose academic major is the same as the content area for their credential. See the subject to degree to breakdown.

or

  • CSET Score Report - Official documentation of your results from the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).

Disclaimer: Confirmation of Subject Matter is at the discretion of Chico State aligning with CTC policy. We will not accept the opinion of outside agencies on meeting subject matter and will need to complete our own evaluation of the documentation. 

Program Coordinators and Information

Program Coordinator

Kristin Lower
kjlower@csuchico.edu 

Single Subject - Agriculture Program Coordinator

Mollie Aschenbrener
maschenbrener@csuchico.edu 

Program Information

The Single Subject Credential Program focuses on developing teachers who

  • embrace core democratic values and strive to live and teach by them,
  • know the content of the curriculum, including state-adopted standards, and be able to teach it to a diverse population of students,
  • design learning experiences based on an understanding of students' physical, intellectual, emotional, social, cultural, and linguistic needs,
  • utilize assessments to monitor student progress and modify instruction,
  • create and maintain a democratic learning environment that supports all students’ academic and personal success,
  • develop as a reflective practitioner who exercises legal and ethical responsibility and engages in continuous professional renewal, and
  • understand the role of teachers as moral stewards of the school and community.

This program leads to a Preliminary Single Subject Credential for teaching at the secondary school setting - middle or high school. Candidates may begin in fall or spring and participate in supervised teaching practica throughout northeastern California. Subject areas of Music, Art, and World Languages (Spanish) are fall start only. All other subject areas may start in fall or spring.

Candidates are able to complete programs leading to credentials through a variety of delivery options. 

Program Coordinators
Dr. Claudia Bertolone-Smith
cmbertolone-smith@csuchico.edu

Dr. Jamie Cinquini
jacinquini@csuchico.edu

Program Information

Our Multiple Subject Credential Program focuses on developing teachers who:

  • embrace core democratic values and strive to live and teach by them,
  • know the content of the curriculum, including state-adopted standards, and are able to teach it to a diverse population of students,
  • design learning experiences based on an understanding of students' physical, intellectual, emotional, social, cultural, and linguistic needs,
  • utilize assessments to monitor student progress and modify instruction,
  • create and maintain a democratic learning environment that supports all students’ academic and personal success,
  • develop as a reflective practitioner who exercises legal and ethical responsibility and engages in continuous professional renewal, and
  • understand the role of teachers as moral stewards of the school and community.

This program leads to a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential (self-contained classroom setting - elementary school). Candidates may begin the program in fall or spring and participate in supervised teaching practica throughout northeastern California.

Candidates are able to complete programs leading to credentials through a variety of delivery options. 

Program Coordinator
Jamie Gunderson
jlgunderson@csuchico.edu

The Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program, with authorizations for Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) or Extensive Support Needs (ESN), prepares future teachers to serve children, youth, and adults who have special learning or emotional needs. The Education Specialist Credential may be used in K-12 resource rooms, special day classes, or alternative settings. Education Specialists function in public schools or private settings as instructors and as consultants to teachers and to families. As a credential candidate, you may choose to pursue either the Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) or the Extensive Support Needs (ESN) Authorization for the Education Specialist Credential.

Types of Credentials

Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)

The Preliminary Education Specialist Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) Credential authorizes service in grades K-12, transitional kindergarten, and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22 who have:

  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Mild/Moderate support needs
  • Autism
  • Emotional disturbance
  • Intellectual disability
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Orthopedic impairment 
  • Other health impairment
  • Traumatic brain injury

Extensive Support Needs (ESN)

The Preliminary Education Specialist Extensive Support Needs (ESN) Credential authorizes service in grades K-12, transitional kindergarten, and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22 who have:

  • Autism
  • Deafblind
  • Extensive support needs
  • Intellectual disability
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Emotional disturbance
  • Traumatic brain injury

Special Features

The Education Specialist Credential Program addresses the California Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) and Education Specialist Competencies. In addition, the Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Program offers the following courses and supervised teaching experiences:

  • Relevant special education field/supervised teaching experiences
  • Teaching of reading and content literacy
  • Teaching of evidence-based interventions
  • Special education laws and regulations
  • Service learning methods
  • Strategies for teaching English Learners
  • Strategies for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Program Features

  • Fall or spring semester entry 
  • Introductory prerequisite classes offered without formal program admission
  • Assistance with preparation for employment

After Employment

Preliminary Education Specialist Credential holders have five years in which to complete the clear Education Specialist Credential through an accredited induction program. An optional program extension you may pursue is a Master's Degree in Education.

Program Coordinator
Erin Whitney
Tehama 407
530-898-6129
ewhitney@csuchico.edu

Program Information

The Paraprofessional Credential Program is a 1.5 year online program designed to allow paraprofessionals working at least 20 hours/week as instructional aides within CSU, Chico’s service area  to maintain employment while completing coursework and practica experiences under the guidance of a Mentor Teacher and a University Supervisor. The first semester of the program is coursework only, and the practica experiences begin in the 2nd semester. During the two required practicum semesters, the candidate works with a Mentor Teacher and University Supervisor while completing 400 documented hours of lesson planning, teaching, student assessment, and other instructional tasks. This option is available for candidates seeking a Multiple Subject OR Education Specialist credential. 

CSU, Chico School of Education Service Area

Program Features

  • Fall and Spring entry
  • Introductory prerequisite classes offered without formal program admission
  • Assistance with preparation for employment

After Employment

Preliminary Education Specialist or Multiple Subject Credential holders have five years in which to complete the clear Education Specialist or Multiple Subject Credential through an accredited induction program. An optional program extension you may pursue is a Master's Degree in Education.

Program Coordinator
Jamie Gunderson
jlgunderson@csuchico.edu 

The Concurrent Preliminary Education Specialist (mild/moderate support needs) and Preliminary Single or Multiple Subject Credential Program combines special education (K-12) and general education preparation in order to prepare future teachers to meet the diverse needs of students, kindergarten through grade 12.

Program Description

Graduates of the Concurrent Program are highly sought after by California schools because they are well prepared to teach at-risk and special needs students, whether in a general education classroom or in specialist educational settings.

Preliminary Single or Multiple Subject Credential requirements, as well as the requirements for a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential with authorization in Mild/Moderate support needs, are completed through upper-division prerequisites and one academic year of course work and student teaching. The Education Specialist credential may be used in K-12 resource rooms, special day classes, or alternative settings. Upon completing the Concurrent Program, students will have completed approximately one-half the requirements for a Master's degree in Education with a special education advising pattern option.

After employment, Preliminary Education Specialist credential holders have five years in which to complete the Clear Education Specialist and Single or Multiple Subject Credential through an accredited induction program. Optional program extensions you may pursue include:

Special Features

The Concurrent Preliminary Education Specialist and Preliminary Single Subject Credential Program offer the following courses and supervised teaching experiences:

  • Relevant general and special education field/supervised teaching experiences
  • Coursework with experienced and engaging faculty
  • Teaching of reading and content literacy
  • Teaching of evidence-based interventions
  • Special Education laws and regulations
  • Service learning methods
  • Strategies for teaching English Learners
  • Strategies for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Program Coordinator

Elizabeth Stevens
Tehama 215
530-898-4026
eastevens@csuchico.edu 

Program Information

The Bilingual Authorization Credential Program prepares ideologically clear, transformative, bilingual teachers as advocates to sustain the cultural and linguistic assets of minoritized students and their families. With an emphasis on the development of high academic achievement, bilingualism, biliteracy and sociocultural competence, bilingual candidates with the added authorization to their multiple subject (grades K-8) or single subject (grades 6-12) credential learn to foster positive academic, social and liberatory life outcomes for multilingual students in K-12 dual immersion and/or general education classroom settings. The two-semester, post-baccalaureate professional preparation program provides candidates with substantial opportunities for both observation and instruction to effectively serve Emergent Bi/Multilingual learners. Prior to completion of the credential program, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the target language. Nine to twelve units of coursework can be applied toward a Master of Arts degree in Education.

Program Coordinator
Jamie Gunderson
jlgunderson@csuchico.edu

About the Program

The Education Specialist Add-on Credential Program allows individuals who already hold a special education credential to earn a second special education credential for the desired authorization area. Education Specialist Credentials are issued with one of two authorization areas: Mild/Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs. 

Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) 

The Preliminary Education Specialist Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN) Credential authorizes service in grades K-12, transitional kindergarten, and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22 who have:

  • Specific learning disabilities
  • Mild to moderate support needs
  • Autism
  • Emotional disturbance
  • Intellectual disability 
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Orthopedic impairment
  • Other health impairment
  • Traumatic brain injury

Extensive Support Needs (ESN)

The Preliminary Education Specialist Extensive Support Needs (ESN) Credential authorizes service in grades K-12, transitional kindergarten, and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22 who have:

  • Autism
  • Deafblind
  • Extensive support needs
  • Intellectual disability
  • Multiple disabilities
  • Emotional disturbance
  • Traumatic brain injury

Forms

Program Coordinator

Elizabeth Stevens
Tehama 215
530-898-4026
eastevens@csuchico.edu 

Post-Credential Bilingual Authorization Description 

The Post-Credential Bilingual Authorization prepares credentialed educators to become ideologically clear, transformative, bilingual teacher advocates that work to sustain the cultural and linguistic assets of minoritized students and their families. With an emphasis on the development of high academic achievement, bilingualism, biliteracy and sociocultural competence, credentialed bilingual teachers with the added authorization to their multiple subject (grades K-8) or single subject (grades 6-12) credential learn to foster positive academic, social and liberatory life outcomes for multilingual students in K-12 dual immersion and/or general education classroom settings. The Post-Credential Bilingual Authorization allows educators the opportunity to effectively serve Emergent Bi/Multilingual learners while they are employed in K-12 schools. Prior to completion of authorization, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the target language. Six units of coursework can be applied toward a Master of Arts degree in Education.

Post-Credential Bilingual Authorization Application

Post-Credential Bilingual Authorization Course Sequence listed under the Bilingual section

School of Education Service Area

 School of Education Service Area

Service Area Counties - Siskiyou, Modoc, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Plumas, Glenn, Butte, Sierra, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Colusa. Coordinates: 39.7317° N, 121.8494° W.

*Note: Single Subject Agriculture's Service Area includes the full state of California

Clinical practice fieldwork must be completed within the School of Education’s Local Service Area (LSA). Field placement interviews are typically assigned within a 35-mile radius of campus, however some candidates may receive interview assignments in excess of this radius due to limited availability of placement opportunities for certain content areas.

Credential candidates should be prepared to travel for their placements if necessary. While the Clinical Practice Office does take credential candidate travel constraints and placement requests into consideration, the School of Education cannot guarantee teacher availability within a candidates’ requested area. Furthermore, some programs require candidates to receive a varied experience between their first and second practicum placements, which can necessitate field placement interview assignments in varying parts of our local service area and will require candidates to travel for at least one of their field placements.

Glossary

Bilingual Authorization
A certification allowing educators to teach in bilingual settings, supporting instruction in English and another authorized language.

Concurrent (Dual) Single Subject and Education Specialist
A pathway to earn both a Single Subject and Education Specialist credential simultaneously, preparing teachers for subject-specific and special education classrooms.

Concurrent (Dual) Multiple Subject and Education Specialist
A pathway to earn both a Multiple Subject and Education Specialist credential simultaneously, preparing teachers for general and special education classrooms.

ITEP (Integrated Teacher Education Program) 
A program that combines undergraduate coursework and teacher preparation, allowing students to earn a degree and teaching credential simultaneously.