California State Minimum Standard for Subject Matter Competence

California requires all teacher candidates to demonstrate their proficiency in the subject matter area of their intended credential. Each subject matter area includes required domains and content, which correspond to the CSET subtests for that subject.

STEP requires that teacher candidates complete at least 50% of the Subject Matter Competency by the first day of the program (June 23, 2025), and the remaining 50% before the start of the fall quarter.

You will need to meet this requirement in one of the following ways:

1. Degree Major in the subject area. Upload an unofficial or official copy of your transcript showing your degree if you are planning to meet this requirement with your undergraduate/graduate major. 

2. Subject Matter Program: completing an approved subject matter preparation program as an undergraduate and providing a signed completion letter from the program. Upload a signed completion letter from your undergraduate program. 

3. Coursework: completion of coursework addressing all of the domains corresponding to each CSET subtest. Upload a Subject Matter Requirement: Coursework Review by Analysis for your content area that has been approved and signed by STEP Administrators

          If you plan to use the coursework option, we ask that you complete the below linked subject matter coursework evaluation forms by April 30th. Directions are as follows:

  1. Find and open your content area google form:
  2. Make a 鈥渃opy鈥 of the document and rename it 鈥淵our Name STEP Subject Matter Guidance: Content Area鈥. For example: Michaela Ruiz STEP Subject Matter Guidance: History. ( if you are unfamiliar with Google docs).
  3. Complete each section of the form with the requested information. You may not meet or need to meet every domain listed. Please read the directions carefully and reach out if you have questions.
  4. Email maruiz@stanford.edu an editable link () to the form. Make sure that the link you are sharing allows whoever clicks on the link to make edits to your document.
  5. The email subject header should read: First Last Name Content Area Coursework Evaluation Form. Example: Michaela Ruiz Multiple Subjects Coursework Evaluation Form
  6. From there, Michaela will double-check that your form is ready for evaluation, and will forward your shareable link internally for review.
  7. Once your form has been evaluated, you will receive a signed copy of the form to upload to Canvas.

Evaluations are expected to be returned to you by May 31st. If it is determined that your coursework does not meet the requirements, you will be asked to take the CSET exam. California residents can register for (not pick a testing date, just register) until June 30th.

4. California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): passing all required subtests for your subject. Upload your CSET scores and have them sent officially to 海角乱伦社区 and the CCTC.

5. Combination of coursework and CSET examination(s): some combination of coursework and examinations to meet the content for all required subtests/domains. Upload both the CSET scores and the Subject Matter Requirement: Coursework Review by Analysis for your content area  

If you have any additional questions please contact Michaela Ruiz, Student Services Officer by email at maruiz@stanford.edu 

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