Single Subject Credential Program

The English Education Program at San José State University prepares the largest number of English Single Subject Credential candidates in the South Bay. Additionally, SJSU’s English Subject Matter Program is currently the only state-approved program in the South Bay. The English Education program provides credential candidates with the content and pedagogy to teach English in middle and secondary schools.

Students may enter the English Education program for the Fall or Spring semester. Each year the program prepares approximately 50 candidates to receive credentials in English. 95% of students completing the English Credential Program are hired by area middle and secondary schools. Graduates of the program teach in virtually every high school and middle school in the region.

Below are the core requirements for achieving a BA in English Education. To see descriptions of these courses, check the general course descriptions. Faculty usually provide a more extensive description of the courses when they are offered. Check with your advisor at least once each semester to track your progress.

Director of the English Credential Program

Dr. Mary Warner
408-924-4417
[email protected]
Faculty Offices 127

For further assistance, schedule an advising appointment with Dr. Warner.

Requirements and Forms

Requirements to enter the English Credential program are as follows:

  • A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in English
  • Subject Matter Competency verified by an English Education advisor
  • A passing score on the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST)
  • Successful completion of an on-site writing sample
  • Successful completion of a formal interview (not to be confused with initial advising appointments), held once a semester, to assess subject matter competence (An interview packet must be prepared and submitted in advance)
  • A GPA of 2.75 or better

For additional information on application requirements, forms, etc. see the Secondary Education Website.

Single Subject Credential Graduation Requirements

  • EDSC 246 Learning Communities: Methods and Management
  • EDSC 162 Language/Literacy Development of English Language Learners
  • EDSC 172A Multicultural Foundations of Secondary Education
  • EDSC 173 Psychological Foundations of Secondary Education
  • EDSC 182 Assessment/Evaluation
  • EDSC 184X Student Teaching I
  • * ENED 353 Methods of Teaching English
  • ENED 365 Seminar of English Education (One credit Seminar accompanying ENED 184 Y and Z
  • ENED 184Y Student Teaching II
  • ENED 184Z Student Teaching III
  • * EDTE 190 Health Education
  • * EDSE 192A Including and Supporting Students with Special Needs in General Education Classrooms

Note: The courses with an ENED prefix are offered through the English Department.

* These courses may be taken before you are fully admitted to the Credential Program. 

Explanations and Limitations

One course equals 3 or 4 units. English majors who complete the Humanities Honors Program will be credited for ENGL 125 (European Literature: Homer to Dante).

Teaching Credential Candidates English majors working toward the single-subject credential in English should take English 103 (Modern English) to meet the Language and Linguistics requirements and English 169 (Ethnicity in American Literature)  to meet three units of the upper-division American Literature requirement. Consult a major advisor for additional requirements.