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Single Subject Credential

School of Education

Overview

The Single Subject Teaching Credential Program allows students to study in-person (at the graduate or undergraduate levels) or fully online (at the graduate level). The in-person program at the graduate level offers evening classes while the in-person undergraduate program offers a mix of daytime and evening classes. The online program is flexible to your schedule and location. This program authorizes you to teach one of the following subjects: art, English, health, mathematics, music, physical education, social science, science or Spanish. With this credential, you are usually offered employment in a middle school or high school classroom setting. This credential also includes an authorization to teach English language learners in your classroom.

The Single Subject Credential is primarily appropriate for middle school and high school teachers. As you develop a foundation in lesson planning, classroom technology, psychology and reading, you will have opportunities to observe and participate firsthand in the methods used by cooperating teachers during field experience placements. After finishing coursework, clinical practice and the associated requirements, you will be formally recommended for the SB 2042 California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential. You can also receive your ACSI Teacher Certification while earning your California preliminary teaching credential by meeting additional requirements.

Our biblically integrated credential program includes the following elements:

  • Teacher preparation and pedagogy coursework
  • Field experience
  • Clinical practice through the student teaching or intern pathways

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Student Program Pathways

Undergraduate Students 

You can begin coursework toward the Single Subject Credential through your major. If you wish to teach at the secondary level, you should choose the major in your selected subject area, as this program requires demonstration of subject matter competency.

Students can apply to the credential program during LEDU 301: Introduction to Teaching, which can be taken as early as your second semester of your freshman year. Once accepted into the credential program, you will take courses in sequence.

Graduate Students

The Single Subject Credential Program at the graduate level can be completed either on campus or online. It can be completed as a non-degree program or as part of a master's degree. We offer the opportunity to earn your credential and master's degree simultaneously: M.A. in Teaching or M.A. in Education.


Teacher Preparation and Pedagogy Coursework

All teacher preparation and pedagogy coursework must be completed with a grade of "B-" or higher with an overall 3.0 GPA. See point 7 of the program requirements for a list of required courses.


Field Experience

You are required to fulfill field experience hours for specific courses. Biola will arrange your placements with partnering districts. See point 9 of the program requirements for details.

Most graduate students work full time and, through permission from their employers, utilize personal or vacation time to arrange for their field experience hours in the schools. Those teaching full time may have reduced field experience hours.


Student Teaching or Teaching with an Intern Credential

At Biola, there are two pathways to meet the clinical practice requirement.

  • Student Teaching Pathway
    • The student teaching pathway — offered both online and on campus to graduate students or on campus to undergraduate students — involves successfully completing coursework and an unpaid student teaching assignment during the final semester of the program. All student teaching placements will be in WASC-accredited public schools. You will be assigned a Biola supervisor. See the Single Subject Credential Program Requirements for more details.
    • Details:
      • Student teaching is the final course in Biola's Single Subject Credential Program. If you complete the student teaching pathway, you will simultaneously enroll in LEDU 450 / SEED 514 and LEDU 452 / SEED 515 during your 18-week placement in a single classroom. You will be assigned master teachers and a Biola supervisor.
        • LEDU 450 / SEED 514: Secondary Student Teaching I (6)
        • LEDU 452 / SEED 515: Secondary Student Teaching II (6)
      • You may student teach in a California public school, or a private school for Phase 2. Biola will find the student teaching placement for you.
    • Student Teaching Overseas
      • You have the opportunity to student teach overseas in a variety of countries in accredited K–12 international and private schools. An overseas assignment may be completed during Phase 2 of the student teaching placements. Phase 1 must be completed at a California public school. You can find out more information on our program requirements page.
  • Intern Credential Pathway
    • The intern credential pathway — offered exclusively at the graduate level in the fully online program — involves successful fulfillment of prerequisites and additional requirements followed by completion of online coursework while you are employed as a full-time teacher under the intern credential. See the Single Subject Credential Program Requirements for more details. (Note: Students must find their own employment in a public school or charter school to be an intern.)
    • Details:
      • Instead of student teaching during your final semester of the Single Subject Credential Program, you can teach with an intern credential if you are eligible — allowing you to work as a paid classroom teacher while completing the program. Each semester you teach with the intern credential, you will enroll in the intern support seminars. By the end of the program, you will need to have taken all four seminar courses (12 total credits). Student teaching (SEED 514/515) is not be required in the intern credential track.
        • SEED 625: Secondary Intern Seminar I (3)
        • SEED 626: Secondary Intern Seminar II (3)
        • SEED 627: Secondary Intern Seminar III (3)
        • SEED 628: Secondary Intern Seminar IV (3)
      • You have the option to transition from the student teaching pathway to the intern pathway at any time if qualifications are met.
      • See the Single Subject Credential Program Requirements for more details.

View our other teaching credential programs.


WSCUC / ACSI / CTC
Accreditation
Biola University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission. Additional accreditations may apply to specific programs.