Subject Matter Competency Information

California Education Code requires that all candidates for a teaching credential demonstrate they are proficient in the subject matter area of their intended credential (meet the SMC requirement) to be intern-eligible and/or be given daily whole-class instructional responsibilities in a TK-12 school. 

Subject Matter Competency (SMC) for Multiple and Single Subject Summer 2025 applicants needs to be submitted by April 1, 2025 to be considered for admission.

Subject Matter Competency (SMC) can be met by one of the following options:
  1. California Subject Examinations for Teachers ()
  2.  () approved Subject Matter Program
  3. Meet SMC by Academic Degree Major (Bachelor's Degree or higher). See below.
  4. Demonstrate Subject Matter Competency (SMC) through coursework or a combination of coursework and exams (CSET)-See See below

See the following link from the website for options to meet   (SMC). 

Meeting Subject Matter Competency requirement by Degree Major

To meet subject matter by degree major, the degree major must be aligned with one of the acceptable majors for the Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential.

Please see (and Education Specialist) and  See 

The degree major listed on your transcript must correspond to the authorization listed on a Single Subject credential. The current statutory language does not provide flexibility in the acceptance of closely related terms/subjects. If you have a degree major listed on your transcript in the exact subject of the credential you are seeking, you need to upload your unofficial transcript to your Department Application showing your degree major and conferral date. 

To verify you have met Subject Matter Competency by your degree major you can (not required) send an email to credentials@csueastbay.edu with a PDF attachment of your unofficial degree bearing transcripts and write SMC degree major request in the subject line. Please include your name, the program, and subject you are applying to.

If the degree major listed on your transcript IS NOT an exact match to the credential you are pursuing but in a similar major or subject (e.g. Kinesiology for Physical Education, History for Social Science, Performance for Music) you can request an SMC evaluation of coursework to determine if you have met Subject Matter Competency (SMC) by coursework or coursework and exams (CSETs). See the Instructions below.  You should review for a Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Credential if your major is not listed or approved. 

See the link for Test Preparation Resources

SMC Coursework Evaluation Request Information

Summer 2025 Prospective Students who have a Department Application in progress/submitted may submit a  Subject Matter Competency Coursework Evaluation Request December 1, 2024-Extended to March 20, 2025. Your transcripts will not be automatically evaluated without a request. You need to submit an SMC Evaluation Request following the instructions below.

Evaluation results may take 6-8 weeks not counting breaks and holidays. It is highly recommended to register and take s if your degree major is not an exact match to the credential you are seeking, because not all evaluations are approved.

If your coursework is not approved for SMC, you will have to take CSET exams. It is recommended to prepare to take exams because not all evaluations are fully approved. Please see . You will need to take the CSETs by 2/9 or 3/9 to have results before April 1. 

To Submit Your SMC Coursework Evaluation Request 

  • You need to view the SMC Evaluation Request form from the list below for the subject/credential you are seeking. Complete the form with the coursework information that meets the listed Domains.
  • The coursework listed on the SMC Evaluation Request form must be aligned with each of the domains listed in the  for your subject.
  • Ccourses listed on the form must meet the following requirements: 
    • Earn a grade of "C" or better 
    • Have been taken at a regionally accredited college or university
    • Been taken for academic credit (earned units)
    • Be degree applicable AA or higher-upper or lower division is ok
    • May mix and match CSET with courses taken at multiple Institutions. 
    • Does not have to be applied to a degree
  • You need to provide copies of all your transcripts (unofficial are acceptable). Save and Name your transcripts with last name, first name, and school name. i.e. Smith, Jan, CSU East Bay
  • Provide copies of course descriptions or syllabi to provide the evaluator with more information. 
  • Pay $25 and include receipt with your emailed request.
  • Only the SMC Request form should be a link with Share access>>"Anyone with the Link." I