Subject Matter Competency

Candidates may meet the subject matter competence requirement through one of the following two options: 

   (A) Possession of a BA degree or higher from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education with a degree major in any of the following: 

  • Child Development
  • Child and Adolescent Development
  • Human Development
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Child and Family Studies
  • Early Childhood Studies
  • Human Development and Family Science
  • Family Science, or
  • Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies. 

  (B) Completion of 24-semester units or the equivalent quarter units of non-remedial, degree-applicable coursework in child development or early childhood education. 

Need a completion of 24 units? 

Candidates who do not meet the subject matter competency requirement through their degree title and have not completed 24 units of early childhood education and/or child development courses may enroll in any of the preapproved courses listed on the at a local institution of their choice.

Candidates and holders of a Multiple Subject Credential requiring 24 units in child development and/or early childhood education can fulfill this requirement by earning a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. This option allows candidates to complete the necessary 24 units, obtain an ECE MA degree, and qualify for a salary increase on their pay scale.

For further details, explore the Early Childhood Education MA program website.