Helpful Websites & FAQs

On this page you will find a variety of websites that you may find useful in your path to becoming an educator.

• Test Preparation – Bobrowtest.com is a website that offers affordable test preparation programs for the CSET, CBEST, RICA, and others. Visit bobrowtest’s website to check out rates, locations, and dates of workshops available.
• CSET– Visit cset.nesinc.com to learn more about the CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers).
• CBEST – Visit csbest.nesinc.com to find out more information about the CBEST (California Basic Education Skills Test) test dates, registration, and more.
• Teach California – Teachcalifornia.org is a website that provides information about teaching, the process of becoming a teacher, links to resources, and more.
• Transfer to CSU – Visit csumentor.org to explore, plan and apply to any CSU campus.
• Federal Financial Aid – If you are interested in financial aid, visit fafsa.ed.gov  to electronically submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Cypress College’s Financial Aid – Visit our Financial Aid web pages to gain more information about forms, grants, loans, and other aid that may be available to you.

When teaching elementary school, most of the subjects are taught by the same teacher in one classroom. Elementary school teacher candidates will need to obtain a multiple-subject teaching credential, after receiving a bachelor’s degree from a college or university.

Single-subject teachers will teach one subject in which they are authorized to teach. These teachers will usually (not always) major in the subject they wish to teach. Then, they will need to complete a single-subject teaching credential that corresponds to the subject that is desired to be taught.

There are many steps involved in becoming an elementary school teacher. The Teacher Preparation Program at Cypress College has put together the essential information you need to know about becoming an elementary school teacher.

There are several types of credentials offered by the state of California that students can receive. Students interested in teaching at the Elementary level will be obtaining a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. The Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach in a “self-contained” classroom. The teacher instructs all subjects to the same students on a daily basis.

How long does it take? A bachelor’s degree is between 120-124 units (typically 4-5 years to complete). In addition, a Teaching Credential Program takes approximately 1-2 years to complete.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Requirements:

1. Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. CBEST: Pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST). This can be taken at any time, preferable as an undergraduate. To obtain more information about the CBEST, log on to www.cbest.nesinc.com
3. Professional Teacher Preparation: Complete a multiple subject teacher preparation program, including student teaching. The California college or university where the program was completed must recommend the teacher candidate for the credential.
4. Provision and Principles of the U.S. Constitution: Completion of a course in the provisions and principles of our Constitution (Political Science 100 at Cypress College), or passage of an examination in the subject.
5. Subject-Matter Competence: This can be met by passing the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). For more information on the CSET go to www.cset.nesinc.com
6. Completion of the Developing English Language Skills, including reading requirements by successful completion of a comprehensive reading instruction course.
7. Pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA). Cost: $134. For more information on the RICA go to www.rica.nesinc.com
8. Character and Identification Clearance: You must submit the appropriate paperwork along with fingerprints to the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing. Students with a criminal record are strongly recommended to see the Teacher Preparation Coordinator to find out more about this clearance.

College Major for Teaching. As an elementary teacher you will need to teach many subjects, namely, Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts, Physical Education and Human Development. It is recommend that students major in a subject that will encompass all of these areas; such as Liberal Studies. However, other majors such as Human Development, Human Services, or Psychology are also options for Elementary Teaching.

Basic Recommendations:

• Enroll in the Future Teacher Classes at Cypress College.
• Earn good grades. Most teaching credential programs require a minimum 2.7 to 3.0 grade point average.
• Seek advisement from a Teacher Preparation Counselor, since teacher education requirements differ at each university.
• Take the CBEST as soon as you have completed a general education level English and Mathematics course at Cypress College.
• Get as much early fieldwork experience in elementary classrooms as you can. You are strongly encouraged to sign up for COUN 110 to get some of this early fieldwork experience.
• Explore your transfer options. What kind of campus suits you best?

For Transfer Institutions:

For both Multiple Subject (elementary credential) and Single Subject (secondary credential) information:

CSUF:                                                                               CSULB:

Center for Careers in Teaching                                        TEPAC (TP Advising Center

(714) 278-7130                                                                 (562) 985-9259

www.fullerton.edu/cct                                                      www.ced.csulb.edu/tpac

Much like becoming an elementary school teacher, there are various steps involved in becoming a single-subject teacher.

Preparing to Teach Middle School, High School, or College

There are several types of credentials offered by the state of California that students can receive. Students interested in teaching at the Middle School or High School level will earn a Single Subject Teaching Credential. A Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach a particular subject, such as English or Math. Students interested in teaching at the college level need to get a degree in the subject they wish to teach. Generally speaking, a student will need a Masters degree or higher to teach at the community college level, and a PhD. to teach at the University. A Single Subject Teaching Credential is not necessary for the college level.

Specific Single Subjects are:

How long does it take? A bachelor’s degree is between 120-124 units (typically 4-5 years to complete). In addition, a Teaching Credential Program takes approximately 1-2 years to complete.

Single Subject Credential Requirements:

1. Education: Earn a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. CBEST: Pass the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST). This can be taken at any time, preferable as an undergraduate. To obtain more information about the CBEST, log on to www.cbest.nesinc.com
3. Professional Teacher Preparation: Complete a professional preparation program in secondary education, including an internship of successful student teaching. The California College or University where the program was completed must recommend the teacher candidate for the credential.
4. Provision and Principles of the U.S. Constitution: Completion of a course in the provisions and principles of our Constitution (Political Science 100 at Cypress College) or passage of an examination in the subject.
5. Subject-Matter Competence: This can be met by achieving a passing score on the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) for the appropriate single subject area. Cost for the CSET is approximately $216. To obtain more information on the CSET examination log on to www.cset.nesinc.com
6. Completion of the Developing English Language Skills, including Reading requirements by successful completion of a comprehensive reading instruction course.
7. Pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA). Cost: $134. For more information on the RICA go to www.rica.nesinc.com
8. Character and Identification Clearance: You must submit the appropriate paperwork along with fingerprints to the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing. Students with a criminal record are strongly recommended to see the Teacher Preparation Coordinator to find out more about this clearance.

College Major for Teaching. Under new federal legislation known as No Child Left Behind, teachers new to the profession must have an undergraduate major or equivalent in the subject taught. For example, students who want to teach Math should major in Mathematics. The CSET exam may be passed in lieu of majoring in the subject taught.

Basic Recommendations:

• Enroll in the Future Teacher Classes at Cypress College.
• Earn good grades. Most teaching credential programs require a minimum 2.7 to 3.0 grade point average.
• Seek advisement from the Teacher Prep Counselor, since teacher education requirements differ at each university.
• Take the CBEST as soon as you have completed a general education level English and Mathematics course at Cypress College.
• Get as much early fieldwork experience in secondary classrooms as you can. You are strongly encouraged to sign up for COUN 110 to get some of this early fieldwork experience.
• Explore your transfer options. What kind of campus suits you best?

The CBEST stands for the California Basic Educational Skills Test. The CBEST is a series of tests that were developed to meet the requirements for credentialing and employment for teachers. There are three parts to the CBEST – reading, writing, and mathematics. The cost is $41, and there is only one test for all three sections. Please visit the CBEST website for more information.

Anyone who is applying for a first teaching credential (single or multiple-subject), or services credential, or you are applying to a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, or applying for an emergency teaching permit.

The CSET stands for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers.

Both multiple and single-subject teacher candidates must take and pass the CSET tests that correspond to what you want to teach. The fees for taking the CSET vary; for the multiple-subject CSETs, the cost is $70 per subtest (there are 3 in total). For single subject CSETs, the cost is $70 per subtest (the amount of tests varies by subject). Please visit the CSET website for more information.