fall admission	deadline
Cal State Apply	March 1
Subject Matter Competence/CSET	July 1

SPRING admission	deadline
Cal State Apply	October 1
Subject Matter Competence/CSET	October 1

Multiple Subject Program Admission

ADMISSION DEADLINES:

START TERM	APPLICATION DEADLINE
Spring 2026 - Prerequisites only*	February 1st
Fall 2026	March 1st
Spring 2027	October 1st

*Spring 2026 admission is open for prerequisite course registration only. Contact soe@calpoly.edu to schedule an advising appointment and receive a permission code to access the application.

The FAFSA application deadline for all program starts is June 30th. For more information about the FAFSA and Financial Aid, please reach out to the Cal Poly Financial Aid office at financialaid@calpoly.edu.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor’s degree

Must be in progress or completed from a regionally accredited institution. Must have a bachelor’s degree conferred prior to the program start.

2. GPA

Cumulative higher education grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 for the last 90 quarter units (or 60 semester units) OR have a Higher Education cumulative GPA of 2.67.

If below the required GPA for both categories, contact the Credential Office as soon as possible.

3. Prerequisite Coursework

The Multiple Subject program is implementing changes to the prerequisite course requirements due to new state literacy requirements.

For Fall 2026 admission, the following courses are required for admission:

EDUC 207 Children's Learning and Development in Educational Settings (or pre-approved substitute)
EDUC 300 Historical, Philosophical and Social Foundations of Public Education (or pre-approved substitute)
EDUC 427 Theories, Methods, and Assessments of 1^st and 2^nd Language Acquisition in Schools (or pre-approved substitute)
One of the below options:
- EDUC 428 Foundations of K-8 Literacy Teaching and Learning in Schools with Diverse Populations (or pre-approved substitute)
  OR
- EDUC 440 Educating Individuals with Exceptional Needs (or pre-approved substitute)

*Liberal Studies degrees at Cal Poly will meet all prerequisites by degree. Child Development students at Cal Poly will meet EDUC 207/2207 by degree.

For Spring 2027 and beyond, the following courses are required for admission:

EDUC 207/2207 Children's Learning and Development in Educational Settings (or pre-approved substitute)
EDUC 300/3300 Historical, Philosophical and Social Foundations of Public Education (or pre-approved substitute)
EDUC 427/4427 Theories, Methods, and Assessments of 1^st and 2^nd Language Acquisition in Schools (or pre-approved substitute)
EDUC 440/4440 Educating Individuals with Exceptional Needs (or pre-approved substitute)

*Child Development students at Cal Poly will meet EDUC 207/2207 by degree.

If you have concerns or questions, please reach out to the Credential Analysts at soe@calpoly.edu.

Coursework Substitute Options

Transfer coursework can be reviewed for approval as substitutions for the above prerequisite courses by completing the steps below. *

Provide the following supporting documents via email to soe@calpoly.edu:

(1) An unofficial transcript** highlighting the course to be substituted; AND

(2) A copy of the course catalog description from the college you attended; AND

(3) A copy of your course syllabus

* Course substitutions are not guaranteed and requests can be denied if the transfer coursework does not meet the necessary requirements.

** For credential program courses, we will only consider substitutions if you received a grade of “C” or better.

Prospective students may submit a Cal State Apply application for post-baccalaureate admission to the university to complete prerequisite courses. Prerequisite students will apply to the MSTEP program along with their Cal State Apply and will be conditionally admitted pending prerequisite course completion.

4. Subject Matter Competency

Candidates are only required to utilize one of the following options to meet the Subject Matter Competency Requirement.

Bachelor's Degree or Higher

AB 130 expanded the available options to allow candidates to meet the Subject Matter Requirement through successful completion of an academic major in the subject they will teach. Utilize the table below to determine eligibility.

Multiple Subject Approved degrees
-Liberal Studies
-Liberal Arts
-Elementary Education
- Interdisciplinary major that includes coursework in the content areas identified in subdivision (b) of California Education Code section 44282. Interdisciplinary majors will require an evaluation.

Addition added June 30, 2023, in Program Sponsor Alert 24-03:

AB 130 also allows for a candidate to meet the subject matter requirement for the Multiple Subject Credential with a bachelor’s degree or higher in a major that includes all of the subject areas identified in Education Code §44282(b): language studies, literature, mathematics, science, social studies, history, arts, physical education, and human development.

Please email soe@calpoly.edu if you would like additional clarification of approved degrees.

Coursework

AB 130 allows candidates to use qualifying coursework to meet the domains of the CSET subtests. Candidates can determine if they are eligible for this option by requesting a SMC Evaluation.

Candidates are only eligible to request Cal Poly SMC Evaluations if they are affiliated with Cal Poly, including candidates who:
- Completed an undergraduate degree at Cal Poly and are applying to enroll in an Educator Preparation Program at Cal Poly* OR,
- Completed an undergraduate degree at another institution and are applying to enroll in an Educator Preparation Program at Cal Poly

Cal Poly SMC Evaluations can be requested by emailing the SOE Credential Office at soe@calpoly.edu.

*We are unable to accept requests from Cal Poly undergrads who are not attending a Cal Poly credential program.

See AB-130 Coded Correspondence for additional information.
Find more information about the Subject Matter Domains for each content area in the CTC's Domains of the Subject Matter Requirement document.

CSET Exams

Successful passing of all the CSET subtests specific to your credential objective.

COntent area	cset subtests
Multiple Subject	Multiple Subject Subtests I (101), II (214) & III (103)

Find more information on the CTC site Verification of Subject Matter Competence by Examination for Multiple Subject Candidates.

Visit our Subject Matter & Basic Skills Resources page for test prep suggestions!

Exams + Coursework

This option allows for some subtests to be met by coursework and some to be met by passing the CSET. For example, a candidate may meet Multiple Subjects CSET Subtest I with qualifying coursework, and meet Subtests II & III by passing the exams. Candidates should start by requesting a SMC Evaluation of their coursework to determine which subtests they meet with coursework. The Credential Office will then provide them with instructions on which subtests the candidate needs to take.

Candidates are only eligible to request Cal Poly SMC Evaluations if they are affiliated with Cal Poly, including candidates who:
- Completed an undergraduate degree at Cal Poly and are applying to enroll in an Educator Preparation Program at Cal Poly* OR,
- Completed an undergraduate degree at another institution and are applying to enroll in an Educator Preparation Program at Cal Poly
Cal Poly SMC Evaluations can be requested by emailing the SOE Credential Office at soe@calpoly.edu.

*We are unable to accept requests from Cal Poly undergrads who are not attending a Cal Poly credential program.

(See, AB-130 Coded Correspondence for additional information)

Subject Matter Preparation Program

Completion of a subject matter program approved by the commission.

content area	Cal Poly Prep program offered?
Agriculture	Yes - Agriculture
English	Yes - English
Mathematics	Yes - Mathematics
Multiple Subject	No
Music (Credential Not Offered @ Cal Poly)	Yes - Music
Science	No
Social Science	Yes - Social Science
Spanish	No

We recommend reaching out to the Credential Advisors for support in determining how you will meet Subject Matter Competence.

Credential Office Advising

	Please email soe@calpoly.edu with questions.
	Credential Office Advising Hours Use Bookings* to schedule a virtual advising appointment. *Alternate times are available by appointment; please email for additional times.

5. Certificate of Clearance (CoC)

Complete the two-step process including LiveScan fingerprinting and COC application on the CTC website and ensure issuance of a Certificate of Clearance.

A LiveScan alone is not a Certificate of Clearance. Additionally, completing a LiveScan for a district or school site does not meet the requirement. Candidates can check to see if they have a CoC by using the search function on the CTC website.

Important Notes for Completing the COC:

Ensure SSN on your LiveScan form matches your CTC Educator Profile.
Ensure name on your LiveScan & CTC Educator Profile matches exactly what is on your ID or Driver's License.
Fingerprints are valid for 18 months, you must complete the application on the CTC website within that time for them to be matched up.
Be sure to answer the Professional Fitness Questions accurately and honestly!

COC Instruction Sheet & LiveScan Form

*If you have a valid Sub Permit, you do not need to obtain a Certificate of Clearance. The Sub Permit will need to remain valid for the entire credential program.

6. Proof of Tuberculosis Clearance

A current (within 4 years) Tuberculosis Test or Screening is required for Clinical Practice Placement.

7. Verification of 20 Hours Early Field Experience

Per the CSU, applicants need to provide documented proof of 20 hours of early field experience ideally in a K-12 setting. This includes experience obtained in any or all of the prerequisite courses for the program. The options for meeting this requirement are expansive; if you need assistance understanding if you're experience qualifies, email soe@calpoly.edu.

All applicants must complete the Verification of Field Experience Form linked below and upload it to their Cal State Apply application.

Form for Admission Cycles beginning Winter 2026:

Verification of Field Experience Form 1.0

Form for Admission Cycles beginning Summer 2027:

Coming soon!

8. Letters of Recommendation

Name and email of 2 individuals to submit a letter of recommendation
- Academic - attest to your ability to be successful in a professional education program.
- Experience with Children - addresses your relevant experience in an educational setting, such as tutoring or working with school-age youth.
- Letters should be typed on professional letterhead with original signatures. The above letters will not be considered if they are from a close relative.

Applicants will enter the names and contact information of their recommenders into the Cal State Apply application. Once entered, the recommenders will receive an email asking for them to complete a survey and upload their letter. Applicants can submit the information for their recommenders prior to submitting their application.

9. Personal Statement

Write a one to two-page, single spaced statement describing your reason for pursuing post-baccalaureate study in a professional teacher credential program. Include a background of your education, a description of experiences teaching and/or working with school age youth (also experiences you may have had working with diverse learners), areas of expertise/specialty, and your hobbies and interests as they relate to working with children in schools.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Submit a Graduate application to Cal Poly as "Credential Only"

Applications are for either Fall or Winter Term via Cal State Apply by the deadline for Fall or Winter start.

Visit the Cal State Apply Help Center for more information.

Please note there is a $70 application fee for Cal State Apply.

Cal Poly Undergrads: Be sure your Extended Profile matches the image below.

2. Upload the following requirements (within Cal State Apply)

Documents will be uploaded in the "Documents" section of the Cal State Apply application.

Personal Statement - Upload to the Cal State Apply a one to two-page, single spaced statement describing your reason for pursuing post-baccalaureate study in a professional teacher credential program. Include a background of your education, a description of experiences teaching and/or working with school age youth (also experiences you may have had working with diverse learners), areas of expertise/specialty, and your hobbies and interests as they relate to working with children in schools.
Issuance of Certificate of Clearance
Tuberculosis Screening
Verification of Field Experience Form
Evidence of Subject Matter Competency
Evidence of passing Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
Unofficial Transcripts for Bachelor's Degree institution as well as each institution attended.
Name and email of 2 individuals to submit a letter of recommendation

If applying to the Bilingual Authorization Program in Spanish, upload:

Optional Documents to upload:

CV/Resume
Portfolio

3. Send official transcripts to the Cal Poly Admissions Office

Transcripts must be sent directly from the degree-granting institution by the Cal State Apply deadline.

Instructions on how to submit your official transcripts
Cal Poly bachelor's degree holders do not need to provide these transcripts
Transcripts verifying Community College and/or Graduate-level coursework should also be sent to Cal Poly Admissions

4. Complete a Professional Aptitude Interview (PAI)

Upon submission of your application, you will be contacted by the SOE via email with instructions for completing the Professional Aptitude Interview (PAI). You will need to record your answers to specified interview questions via an online platform called FlipGrid.

Please prepare for the PAI as you would for a job interview. All applicants must complete a PAI interview to be admitted into the program.

If the interviewers decide that the applicant has not passed the PAI interview, the applicant will be contacted by the Multiple Subject Program Coordinator to discuss the specifics of further interviews.

Further interviews may be led by the Program Coordinators or if necessary, by the Multiple Subject Committee.

Program application Office Hours
	These office hours will be held on Zoom and are open to anyone who would like support with credential applications. Pop in and ask your questions without having to schedule an appointment. *Multiple Subject Fall 2026* - Application deadline is 3/1/2026 Thursdays in February (4, 11, 18, 25) 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Zoom Link to Join**
Program Application Q&A Sessions
	These sessions are designed for those with in-progress Cal State Apply applications for the upcoming application cycle. This session will not cover general program info. *Multiple Subject Fall 2026* - Application deadline is 3/1/2026** Friday, February 20, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 PM- Register for Virtual Session

Program application Office Hours

These office hours will be held on Zoom and are open to anyone
who would like support with credential applications. Pop in and
ask your questions without having to schedule an appointment.

**Multiple Subject Fall 2026 - Application deadline is 3/1/2026**

Thursdays in February (4, 11, 18, 25) 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Zoom Link to Join

Program Application Q&A Sessions

These sessions are designed for those with in-progress Cal State

Apply applications for the upcoming application cycle. This

session will not cover general program info.

**Multiple Subject Fall 2026 - Application deadline is 3/1/2026**

Friday, February 20, 2025 - 12:00-1:00 PM-
Register for Virtual Session

Join the Credential Advisors and Clinical Practice Coordinator for a virtual info session where the coursework, program format, admission requirements, and more will be covered. Come get all your questions answered and learn more!

Schedule Advising Appointment