Multiple Subject (Elementary School) Teaching Credential

The Multiple Subject Credential (MSC) is the teaching credential required to work in self-contained classrooms, usually in grades Tk-6. The SFSU MSC program prepares teachers to work effectively in multilingual, racially, and culturally diverse classrooms in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. Our faculty and student body are committed to creating a more socially just world through education. Graduates of our program become part of a large, strong network of teacher leaders in our region.

We offer a variety of pathways for completing the Multiple Subject Credential, including bilingual authorization in Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin and the option to combine earning and M.A. degree and completion of the MSC program. Please explore our available options to decide what’s right for you!

MSC Program Options

Three Semester Program

The three-semester program provides comprehensive preparation for graduates to become highly effective teachers across a range of elementary grade classrooms (typically grades TK-6). Our credential program provides MSC candidates with the pedagogical skills and content knowledge to support the social and academic development of all children. The MSC is grounded in culturally responsive pedagogy aligned with a social justice perspective. MSC candidates develop or advance the skills needed to support educational equity for all children.

Features of this pathway include:

  • Student teaching placements across every semester of enrollment that gradually build toward full responsibility for classroom instruction
  • Coursework that is integrated into practicum placements to support application of university learning to classroom teaching practice
  • Cohort model to provide academic and social support
  • Option to integrate M.A. degree requirements concurrently with credential coursework OR completion of M.A. degree after credential, while working as a full-time teacher

This program offers evening classes and candidates are placed for student teaching in socially, economically, culturally, and linguistically diverse elementary classroom settings.  Candidates are placed in cohort learning communities that allow them to take sequenced coursework as a group. The program is grounded in strong research-based practices and learning theories, and candidates are provided with opportunities to apply theories and instructional approaches in their student teaching practicum within weeks of starting the program. Some courses are organized in a module format allowing candidates more flexibility. Subject Matter Competency must be completed before the fall semester begins.

Sample Completion Pathway

Exact order of some classes will vary by cohort

  Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3
Courses

EED 756 Practicum

Seminar 1

 

EED 701 Foundations of Education

 

EED 782 Teaching Reading and Language Arts

 

EED 784C&I Math

EED 737 Social Studies, Social Justice, andLiteracy

 

ITEC 711 Technology in Elementary Schools

 

EED 777 C&I Science

 

EED 786Seminar in Learning and Development

EED 758 Practicum

Seminar 3
Fieldwork

EED 687 (3 units)

 

12 hours/week

EED 747 (3 units)

 

12 hours/week

EED 748 (4 units)

 

4 days/week

MA*

(optional)

   1 MA class if admitted to MA pathway 1 MA class if admitted to MA pathway

Students who choose to begin MA coursework concurrently will complete the four remaining MA classes after the credential program.These can be completed while working full time as a teacher.

Summer Start Completion Pathway

  Summer Fall Spring
Courses

EED 756 Practicum

Seminar 1

 

EED 701 Foundations of Education

EED 786 Seminar in Learning and Development

 

EED 782 Teaching Reading andLanguage Arts

EED 777*C&I Science

 

EED 737* Social Studies, Social Justice, and Literacy

 

EED 758 Practicum Seminar 3
    EED 784C&I Math  
    ITEC 711 Technology in Elementary Schools  
Fieldwork  

EED 746(4 units)

15 hours/ week 2.5days

EED 748 (6 units)

4 days/ week for 16 weeks (January start)

*EED 777 and EED 737 are taught as intensive, hybrid learning modules. Students spend one full week immersed in content and pedagogy, supplemented by online sessions and practicum-based assignments.

Interns

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing provisional permit allows non-credentialed individuals to work as the teacher of record only if the teacher is enrolled in a credential program and meets other criteria. Hiring decisions are made entirely by the local school district.  If a candidate has an offer of employment and wishes to enroll in the intern program, the following conditions must be met:

  • A candidate must show evidence of completion of Subject Matter Competency, and U.S. Constitution requirement;
  • A school district must offer the candidate a teaching position at an elementary school site;
  • A candidate must apply and be admitted to an accredited credential program; 
  • The candidate must complete 120 credit hours of credential coursework (equivalent to three 3-unit classes)

Once these conditions are met, the candidate must submit an application for the intern teaching permit to the Department of Elementary Education Intern Coordinator, who will review for approvals.  The Graduate College of Education Credential Analyst will then authorize the permit. 

*Note: Interns work at a slower coursework pace while in the credential program to permit full time employment.