A Guide for Preparing Yourself at Stanislaus State
If you want to teach history at the secondary level (high school and junior high) in the state of California, you need to be aware that California does not offer credentials specifically in History, but rather in Social Science, which includes history, political science, geography, and economics. To become a history teacher, you will need: 1) a bachelor’s degree; 2) subject matter competency (SMC); and 3) teacher certification.
Your bachelor’s degree may be in any field, but the two most appropriate majors for aspiring history teachers offered at Stanislaus State, are History or Social Science. The Social Science degree is the most advantageous because students who complete this degree meet the SMC for credentialing requirements. A student with a degree in History, or any other subject, would have to verify SMC by taking the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).
Students who intend to earn their teaching credential through the Teacher Education program at Stanislaus State are required to complete EDSS 3900 as a prerequisite. Interested students are also encouraged to complete CDEV 3240, which is a program requirement. For more information, please contact the Teacher Education program.
Updated: March 21, 2025