Secondary Education

Credential Overview

To become a middle school or high school teacher you will need a Single Subject Credential.

The Secondary Education Credential Program at Cal Poly Humboldt is a two semester course of study starting each Fall semester and concluding after the Spring semester. By completing our 38-unit professional education program, candidates can obtain a Single Subject Preliminary Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, qualifying them for secondary education teaching positions, primarily in grades 7-12.

The coursework in the Fall semester prepares student teachers for full-time fieldwork in the Spring semester. Student teachers take on teaching responsibilities in the spring and stay at their school site placement until the end of the public school semester in June.

Apply for the 2025-2026 Secondary Education Credential Program - Open Now!

Applications for the Secondary Education Program are open October 1, 2024 through March 1, 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year via Cal State Apply. Click the Eligibility and Applications link for more information. Take a look at the Secondary Education Program requirements here: SED Program & Application Requirements (PDF)

Program Formats:

Local/In-Person: This one-year format includes fieldwork in the classroom of a credentialed teacher in Humboldt County, with courses completed in-person at Cal Poly Humboldt. This format is for those residing between Ferndale and Trinidad. The program begins in the Fall and is completed after Spring semester.

Distance/Online: This one-year format allows you to complete fieldwork in the classroom of a credentialed teacher in your local area while attending courses synchronously via Zoom. There is no requirement to visit Cal Poly Humboldt at any time during the program. We are committed to offering educational opportunities to individuals living in remote areas of California, where access to other teacher preparation programs is limited. The program begins in the Fall and is completed after Spring semester.

Intern: This two-year format requires employment (halftime or above) at a public school as a teacher in your desired subject area. Hiring processes at school sites are negotiated between the candidate and the school’s administration, and Cal Poly Humboldt cannot assist or engage with the employment decisions of the district. Once employment is secured, the School of Education can assist in advising and enrollment. The Intern program’s coursework is extended over a two-year period starting in the Fall Semester. For more information, visit Single Subject - Intern Program.

If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact our Program Coordinator, Keshnee Naidoo at kmn67@humboldt.edu or keshnee.naidoo@humboldt.edu.

Preliminary Single Subject Credential Areas

Art, Biology, Chemistry, English, Geoscience, Industrial Technology, Math, Music, Physical Education, Physics, History/Social Science, World Languages.

Tuition and Costs

Tuition and costs information for the 2024-2025 academic year can be found on the Cost of Attendance page by scrolling down to the table titled "Teaching Credential: Cost of Attendance 2024-2025". Financial Aid information specific to credential students can be found on the Financial Aid: Just for Credential Students page. Information about scholarships for School of Education students can be found on the School of Education Scholarships page.

Undergraduate Pathway Programs

The following undergraduate programs, offered by other Cal Poly Humboldt academic departments, allow you to waive the subject matter exams--a requirement for the Secondary Education Credential Program.

Visit the corresponding department website below for more information:

*Please note that some of the above are concentrations.

Before you apply …

From California tests to minimum GPAs, you must meet minimum eligibility requirements to apply to the program. Before beginning the application process, make sure to review our Eligibility and Application page and plan ahead.

Eligibility & Application

Option: Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization Program
Prepares physical education teachers to work with preschool and school-aged children and youth with disabilities.