Four-Year Credential Track: Single Subject Teaching Credential

Four-Year Credential Track: Single Subject Teaching Credential

Program Overview

Do you enjoy sharing your passion for your area of study with others? Do you want to see if teaching is a potential calling while maintaining your intended major? 

By blending your major with the teacher education track, you can earn your California Single Subject Teaching Credential alongside your bachelor's degree while still graduating in four years! 

If you pursue one of the following majors, you have the option of choosing the 4-year credential track by fulfilling additional units alongside your undergraduate degree:

  • Art Education, B.A.
  • Biology, B.A.

  • Cross-Disciplinary Studies, B.A.

  • Exercise and Sport Science, B.A.
  • French, B.A. 
  • History, B.A. 
  • Mathematics, B.S.
  • Music Education, B.A. 
  • Spanish, B.A. 

Special Education credentials are also available with additional units completed. 

After fulfilling the requirements for your undergraduate degree, you may also apply to one of the School of Education's graduate programs to fulfill remaining requirements toward the California Teaching Credential(s). 

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Earn your Bachelors and a Teaching Credential | PLNU 4-Year Credential Track

Learn why the credential track might be the best degree for you.

Watch Video:
Blended Bachelor’s and Teaching Credential

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and meets the requirements for educator certification in the state of California, where Point Loma Nazarene University is physically located. PLNU cannot confirm whether or not specific programs meet out-of-state requirements for Professional Licensure or Certification. Information about out-of-state requirements in teacher credentialing is available on this website.

For more information on State Authorization and Program Licensure, please refer to our disclosures page.

Course List

For information about the courses required for the Blended Program: Single Subject Teaching Credential program, view the PLNU Catalog. 

Course Information

Major Map

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Are you ready to take the next step to begin your PLNU journey? Whether you’re a high school senior, college transfer student, or international student, find out what we’re looking for in our applicants and how you can apply.

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Student Support

For most students, the transition into college life is one full of adjustments. There is the excitement of newfound freedoms, but also some uncertainty as you begin to make choices and take responsibility for your own future. 

At PLNU, we’re committed to supporting you — academically, professionally, spiritually, personally — so that you may be successful both in your time as a student and beyond. That’s why we offer a holistic support system that focuses on your unique experiences, particular needs, and personal and professional goals — resulting from our deep concern for you, our student.

With a focus on authentic relationships and personalized attention, our goal is to help transform you so you can follow your calling in your own career and life.

Student Support

Articles

For PLNU Music Alum Jonathan Seligman, Innovation is More Than an Award
How Noelle Doctorian Went From First-Year Teacher to Teacher of the Year
One Cool Teacher: Tyler Kuehl Named Middle School P.E. Teacher of the Year
How to Become a California High School Teacher

Quotes

"Preparing the next generation of educators"
"PLNU is known for preparing exceptional teachers that schools actively seek out."
Articles (14)
Quotes (4)
For PLNU Music Alum Jonathan Seligman, Innovation is More Than an Award Jonathan Seligman’s creative teaching style uses music to equip students to navigate the world. Discover
How Noelle Doctorian Went From First-Year Teacher to Teacher of the Year Middle school math and science teacher Noelle Doctorian has realized that teaching is not about having all the answers. Discover
One Cool Teacher: Tyler Kuehl Named Middle School P.E. Teacher of the Year Kuehl’s P.E. classes focus on social and emotional learning, allowing his students to not only engage in physical activities, but also develop important life skills. Discover
How to Become a California High School Teacher The field of education is more accessible than ever. Teaching at the high school level can be particularly rewarding as educators can help teenagers discover their passions before going to college. Discover
What Degree Do I Need to Teach High School PE? If you want to become a PE teacher learn the two most common routes through a degree in education or kinesiology. Discover
Mike Strong ‘Beautifies’ Society Through Teaching High School Students Mike Strong ‘beautifies’ society through teaching high school students, a PLNU alum who serves his community as a teacher. Discover
Alumnus of Point Loma (APL) Awardee: Michelle Murphy The commendation from the United States President was a wonderful encouragement, but Michelle Murphy worked to improve her school district’s technology access and offerings not for accolades but for students. Discover
10 Traits that Distinguish an Excellent Teacher From a Good Teacher The difference between a good teacher and an excellent teacher is their ability to be empathetic, build relationships, hold high expectations, offer a supportive, creative environment, teach respect, listen well, and more. Discover
What are the Pros and Cons of Teachers Giving Letter Grades? Read about the pros and cons of letter grades in the American grading system and whether report cards benefit or harm student understanding and growth. Discover
5 Ways to Prevent Burnout as a Teacher By prioritizing self-care, setting realistic expectations, seeking support, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, teachers can prevent burnout. Read on to discover essential strategies and practical tips. Discover
10 Ways to Create a Welcoming Classroom A welcoming classroom can do wonders for your students and their academic progress. Here are 10 ways to create a welcoming classroom for your students. Discover
Should Teachers Still Give Homework? Learn more about how homework became a standard educational practice and if it’s still relevant today as teachers and parents consider other options. Discover
Top 7 Grants for Teachers in California PLNU’s School of Education can help you take advantage of the top grants for teachers in 2022 to pursue your career as an educator in California.  Discover
How God Called and Prepared PLNU Alum Kristal Jabara to Work in Local Government Becoming involved with local government happened slowly yet naturally for Kristal Jabara as she said yes to one commitment after another. Discover
Preparing the next generation of educators
"“I think that Point Loma was the best years of my life. The classes prepared me for education for sure, and the internship program while we taught part-time was an awesome experience to get support. I’ve always been a lifelong learner, and it was part of that experience. PLNU set some of those foundational goals I had for myself.” Michelle Murphy, Education B.A."
PLNU is known for preparing exceptional teachers that schools actively seek out.
"“My principal at Chula Vista often asks me, ‘Do you know anyone from PLNU who is looking for a job and can come over?’ Chula Vista asks specifically for Point Loma candidates because PLNU just makes really good teachers.” McKayla Carpenter, Teacher Education B.A."
At PLNU, faith and compassion are modeled by faculty and carried forward by students.
"“When I would get to the point where I didn’t know what to do, I would always go back to, ‘OK, what’s the greatest commandment? Love God, love people.’ And I feel like I learned that at Point Loma. Professors modeled that mindset in their lives, even when they walked through struggles. You could see that they always landed on ‘love God, love people.’ And that has carried through my entire life.” Kristal Jabara, Liberal Studies B.A."
Inspiring professors at PLNU helped reignite a generational calling to teach with humility and purpose.
"“My dad had been in education and my grandfather was a teacher after he came back from World War II. I hadn’t planned on being one but then I encountered these amazing teachers at PLNU, reminding me of what my Dad used to tell me about teaching, that it’s just going on a long walk with a kid and coming back as equals.” Mike Strong, Literature B.A."

Career Opportunities

If you’ve thought about the possibility of applying your area of study to teaching, the blended program offers the best of both worlds. This opportunity will allow you to graduate with your intended four-year degree while also earning your Single Subject California Teaching Credential.

If you desire to teach middle school, high school, or at the college level, it is best to major in your desired content area, and then partner with the School of Education to complete required credential courses through the blended program.

The blended program will help you impart your expertise and passion to students through such career avenues as:

  • Secondary level teacher
  • Special education teacher (with the addition of specialized coursework)

What can you do with a single subject teaching credential?

The field of education has a large variety of opportunities and specialties you can pursue. Just a few of the many positions recent PLNU education alumni have gone into are: elementary school teachers, substitute teachers, teaching assistants, preschool teachers, tutors, and childcare workers. 

The following are examples of positions people with subject area degrees and a single subject teaching credential may hold: 

Secondary Level Teachers

2020 Median annual salary $57,748

Secondary teachers work with students in grades 6-12 to teach their area of specialization. These specializations include subjects such as mathematics, history, economics, government, English, biology, chemistry, physics, music, art, and a number of foreign languages. Secondary teachers must plan their lessons based on the state curriculum and monitor students’ progress by giving tests on said curriculum. Secondary teachers work school hours and have off all federal holidays. 

What it takes to be a successful secondary level teacher: 

  • Communication and collaboration skills
  • Strong listening skills
  • Adaptability
  • Empathy
  • Patience

Special Education Teachers

2020 Median annual salary $61,420 

Kindergarten and elementary special education teachers are mainly responsible for working with children who have cognitive, emotional, or physical disabilities. Their primary goal is teaching youth with exceptionalities, helping them develop life skills as well as modifying and adapting general education curriculum to meet their students’ needs.

What it takes to be a successful special education teacher: 

  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Patience
  • Communication skills
  • Innovation
  • Adaptability

Making a difference in education with your degree: 

Students at PLNU spend their academic careers building strong and loving Christian character that, in turn, sparks a desire to continue to learn about and educate future generations in an abundance of ways. The future is shaped by the teachers and educators of today. By enrolling in the Blended Program: Single Subject Teaching Credential, you’re taking steps to aid the next generation in creating a world that’s ready to excel and prosper like never before. 

Apply to PLNU today or get connected with one of our counselors for additional support and answers to any questions you may have.

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Student California Teachers Association

Aspiring educators can join PLNU's branch of the Student California Teachers Association (SCTA) to network, serve, and grow within the field of education.

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