Secondary Education in California

Career descriptions

Secondary education includes teaching at the junior high and high school level. Secondary education teachers usually specialize in one specific subject. Those subjects can include the arts, sciences, history, English, as well as civics and technology.

Certification and Educational requirements

The requirements for certification in secondary education are very similar to elementary education, except for showing competence in a specialized field rather than competence in multiple fields. Just as you do for elementary education, you have to get a preliminary credential and a clear credential.
  • Requirements for the Preliminary Credential:
    1. Complete a Bachelor's degree or higher (except in professional education) from a regionally accredited college or university.
    2. Satisfy the basic skills requirement in one of 4 ways:
      • Pass the CBEST.
      • Pass the CSET: Multiple Subject Plus Writing Skills Examination.
      • Pass the CSU Early Assessment Program or the CSU Placement examinations.
      • Pass a Basic Skills Examination from another state.
    3. Complete a Commission-approved teacher preparation program including successful student teaching and teaching performance assessments, and obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the California college or university where the program was completed.
    4. Verify competence in your specialized subject matter (three options):
      • Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject-matter examination(s).
      • Complete a Commission-approved subject-matter program or its equivalent and obtain verification of completion from the authorized person in the education department of a California college or university with an approved program.
      • For Specialized Science subjects only, individuals may take and pass the appropriate subject matter examinations or obtain verification of completion of subject-matter course work from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
    5. Satisfy the Developing English Language Skills, including Reading requirement by completing a comprehensive reading instruction course that includes the following: the systematic study of phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding; literature, language and comprehension; and diagnostic and early intervention techniques.
    6. Complete a course (two semester units or three quarter units) in the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution or pass an examination given by a regionally-accredited college or university.
    7. Complete foundational computer technology course work that includes general and specialized skills in the use of computers in educational settings.
  • Requirements for the Clear Credential:
    • Option 1:
        Complete a Commission-approved General Education Induction Program through an approved school district, county office of education, college or university, consortium, or private school. The induction program includes the advanced study of health education, special populations, computer technology, and teaching English learners.
    • Option 2:
        Complete a Commission-approved General Education Clear credential program completed at a California college or university, securing that institution's formal recommendation for the clear credential. The following must also be verified with the application for the clear credential:
        • advanced coursework in health education that includes, but is not limited to, nutrition; the physiological and sociological effects of alcohol, narcotics, and drug abuse; and the use of tobacco
        • advanced coursework in the laws, methods, and requirements for providing educational opportunities to special populations in the regular classroom
        • advanced coursework in computer technology including the use of computers in educational settings
        • advanced coursework in teaching English learners
    • Option 3:
        Teachers who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will be issued a Clear Teaching Credential in the subject area in which they have received national certification.


Now that you are a professional becoming certified to teach Secondary Education in California, please explore our cooresponding master's degree programs. Browse Programs Here