What are the requirements to earn a 2042 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in California and to then start teaching?

Earning a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in California requires fulfilling several important criteria to ensure you’re well-prepared to teach in an elementary school. Here's a summary of the key requirements: Bachelor's Degree: You start with a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. At UMass Global, we offer the perfect degree for future elementary school teachers — a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching. Teacher Preparation Program: Next, is the completion of a Commission-approved 2042 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program. Basic Skills: The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or an equivalent exam will ensure your proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Subject Matter Competency: Next, students need to demonstrate their proficiency in the multiple areas of subject matter covered in elementary school. This can come from your bachelor’s degree or a subject matter prep program, or by obtaining a passing score on the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). Understanding the U.S. Constitution: You must prove a certain level of knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, which can be fulfilled through coursework or passing an examination. Child Development and Learning of English Learners: This includes the principles of child development as well as the methods of delivering comprehensive instruction to English learners. This is covered in the UMass Global Multiple Subject Teaching Credential coursework. Fingerprinting and Background Check: You will need to undergo a criminal background check through fingerprinting, processed by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Health Clearance: A negative tuberculosis test, conducted within 60 days prior to application, is required. Application and Fees: Submission of the necessary application forms and fees to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

What is the difference between student teaching and an internship?

Both provide classroom experience, but they differ in responsibility, pay, and how you secure your placement. Student teaching: Learn alongside a mentor teacher and gradually take on classroom responsibilities in an unpaid placement coordinated by UMass Global. You are not the teacher of record. Internship: Earn a salary as the teacher of record, with full responsibility for your classroom and support from the university and district. You must secure an eligible teaching position and complete university approval and the Verification of Employment process.

CA Teaching Credential, Multiple Subject

The California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes you to teach the variety of subjects that fuel learning in an elementary school classroom. Plus, our Internship Pathway allows you to become intern eligible after just four classes!

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Foster a Love of Learning as an Elementary School Teacher

This California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential opens the door to your future as an elementary school teacher. Coursework that meets Common Core standards will prepare you to teach everything from English to visual arts every day to your young learners. During your first term, you’ll build your foundation with two introductory teaching courses. Then you’ll move into courses focused on teaching and learning in your various subject areas. After your first four courses, you’ll be intern eligible, enabling you to start teaching, earning a salary while completing your credential in as little as 10 months.

Wide-Ranging Subject Matter: This Multiple Subject Teaching Credential covers teaching strategies in these subject areas: English/language arts, natural sciences, mathematics, visual and performing arts, history and social science, human development, physical education, and health.
Curriculum Design, Classroom Management: You’ll use California content standards to learn to design engaging elementary education lessons, to understand and differentiate instruction for varying needs, and to assess student progress.

CA Only

At a Glance

Online: Instructor-Led

33 Credits

$770/Credit

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Next Start Date

Fall II (Oct 26, 2026)

Program Benefits that Benefit You.

Embedded Exam Competencies

Students encounter and master key assessment competencies throughout their coursework and field experiences.

Preparing California’s Teachers

UMass Global is California’s second-largest provider of teaching credentials.

Intern Eligible in Just 4 Classes

Our Intern Pathway means you can start teaching while finishing your credential work.

Next Session Starts

1Day

9Hours

19Minutes

10Seconds

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Median Salary²

Job openings (in the last 12 months)

Top Companies Hiring

Median Salary²

Job openings (in the last 12 months)

Top Companies Hiring

Median Salary²

Job openings (in the last 12 months)

Top Companies Hiring

Data source: Lightcast™ 2026 www.lightcast.io

The pathway information provided through this website is based partly on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data licensed by the University of Massachusetts Global from Lightcast. While the University of Massachusetts Global believes this data to be reliable, some of the data is based on estimates made by Lightcast when actual data is unavailable. Those estimates and the corresponding data may need to be corrected.

Change in employment projections 2022 - 2032
Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and updated quarterly
The University of Massachusetts Global does not guarantee a job to graduates upon completion of any program

Courses You Might Take

EDMU 520

Literacy and Language in K-8 Classrooms I

3 Credits

EDMU 523

History, Social Science and Visual/Performing Arts in K-8 Classrooms

3 Credits

EDMU 524

Teaching and Learning Mathematics in K-8 Classrooms

3 Credits

EDMU 525

Teaching and Learning Science in K-8 Classrooms

3 Credits

EDMU 562

Clinical Practice II - Multiple Subject

4.5 Credits

EDUU 588

Intern Continued Supervision

0 Credits

What Our Students Say

Although my program was entirely online, I feel that I got to bond with a few of my peers and truly have enjoyed the experience.

Krystle C.

Teaching Credential, Multiple Subject with CLAD

UMass Global online programs are flexible and reliable, allowing you to pursue your dreams and work in the field. All the professors are supportive and respectful, and my credential supervisors' support and feedback have given me the motivation to continue on my path.

Andrea Q.

MA in Teaching, Elementary Education

I am proud to say that once I took the first step of calling UMass Global, I was supported by all the staff from the very beginning, and throughout my entire college career. I am thankful to UMass Global for giving me the support, tools, and opportunity to complete my dreams of being an educator.

Elaine S.

MA in Teaching, Elementary Education

Teacher, Bellflower Unified School District

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Admission Requirements

Applicants to the teaching credential program must complete the formal application process with all required documents, which include:

Completed application
2.75 grade point average (GPA)
Official transcripts showing a conferred Bachelor's degree from a institutionally accredited institution

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Our Faculty

All Faculty

Nicole Schneider, EdD

Professor of Education

Jessica Bogunovich, EdD

Program Chair, Multiple, Single Subject, and MAT/Associate Professor of Education

Shari Farris, EdD

Associate Professor of Education

Allison Smith, PhD

Associate Professor of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Yes. Elementary and secondary public school teachers must be certified by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to qualify to be employed in a California public school. UMass Global teacher credential programs are all accredited by the CTC.

Taking two courses per session, you may complete your teaching credential in about 10–12 months or your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in about 12–14 months. Education Specialist pathways take approximately two to four months longer.

For Multiple Subject and Single Subject pathways, earning your MAT requires just three additional courses (9 credits) beyond the credential-only program.

Your timeline depends on your start date, pathway, course load, and readiness to begin clinical practice.

You may be able to balance full-time work with coursework—or begin your teaching career while completing your program. After your first four classes, you may become eligible for a paid teaching internship. If you qualify and secure an intern position, you can work as the teacher of record while completing your remaining program requirements.

Your academic advisor can help you plan a manageable course load. Depending on your pathway and employment setting, required fieldwork may also mean adjusting your work schedule.

Teaching Credentials

"Better" is a relative term, depending on your teaching goals and personal interests. With a Single Subject Credential, you’ll teach that subject to different classes throughout the day in middle or high school. You can delve more deeply into the subject and ignite interest in it in your students.

Elementary school teachers work through a variety of subjects with their class that stays with them through the entire school day. The Multiple Subject Credential validates teaching the various subjects covered in elementary school, preparing you to provide a wide-ranging educational menu every day. Unless you have no interest in teaching younger students, a Multiple Subject Credential could provide a more varied daily classroom experience than a Single Subject Credential.

Earning a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential in California requires fulfilling several important criteria to ensure you’re well-prepared to teach in an elementary school. Here's a summary of the key requirements:

Bachelor's Degree: You start with a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. At UMass Global, we offer the perfect degree for future elementary school teachers — a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subject Teaching.
Teacher Preparation Program: Next, is the completion of a Commission-approved 2042 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program.
Basic Skills: The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or an equivalent exam will ensure your proficiency in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Subject Matter Competency: Next, students need to demonstrate their proficiency in the multiple areas of subject matter covered in elementary school. This can come from your bachelor’s degree or a subject matter prep program, or by obtaining a passing score on the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).
Understanding the U.S. Constitution: You must prove a certain level of knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, which can be fulfilled through coursework or passing an examination.
Child Development and Learning of English Learners: This includes the principles of child development as well as the methods of delivering comprehensive instruction to English learners. This is covered in the UMass Global Multiple Subject Teaching Credential coursework.
Fingerprinting and Background Check: You will need to undergo a criminal background check through fingerprinting, processed by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Health Clearance: A negative tuberculosis test, conducted within 60 days prior to application, is required.
Application and Fees: Submission of the necessary application forms and fees to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

Both provide classroom experience, but they differ in responsibility, pay, and how you secure your placement.

Student teaching: Learn alongside a mentor teacher and gradually take on classroom responsibilities in an unpaid placement coordinated by UMass Global. You are not the teacher of record.
Internship: Earn a salary as the teacher of record, with full responsibility for your classroom and support from the university and district. You must secure an eligible teaching position and complete university approval and the Verification of Employment process.