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1. Special Subjects Credential Information

  • Special Subjects
1. Special Subjects Credential Information

What is a Special Subjects Teaching Credential?

Specifically, this credential authorizes teaching in programs such as: Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Driver Education, and Aviation. These programs are not offered in all districts, and credential requirements and necessary experience are very specific. 

Although Special Subjects credentials are used to teach classes like Cadet Corps and Driver’s Education, the majority of Special Subjects credential holders teach in ROTC classes in school districts throughout California. 

All employment decisions are made locally by individual school districts, including, but not limited to, hiring, the employment process, and salary schedules. To inquire about teaching in any school district, please contact the administrator in the school district(s) for which you wish to teach. 

Once you are offered a position, the school administrator will refer you to a Credential Technician or Human Resources Analyst in their Human Resources department. That technician will assist you with your employment paperwork and your credential paperwork at the same time. Please click the link below for Application Materials. That page contains all the application materials necessary to apply. You will turn in your packet directly to staff in your employer’s Human Resources department. Ask them to forward your application to our office to process for recommendation.

Special Subjects Credential Requirements

Required Coursework for Most Preliminary Credential Candidates

  • Early Program Orientation
  • Foundations
  • Emphasis

Coursework that may also be required, if not previously completed:

  • CPR for Infant, Child, and Adults (check with local Community Colleges or Red Cross for offerings in your area)​
  • Health Education (SDCOE offers this course in conjunction with University of Massachusetts Global)
  • U.S. Constitution (SDCOE offers this course in conjunction with University of Massachusetts Global)

Required Coursework for Preliminary Credential Candidates who Already Hold Clear California Credentials 

  • Core

Steps

  • Prior to starting: Obtain employment in credential area
  • Year 1: First Half
    • Apply for Preliminary Credential (district assigns a mentor)
    • Register for Designated Subjects Program
    • Begin teaching
    • Complete Early Program Orientation (EPO) course OR Core only if you already have a clear CA credential
  • Year 1: Second Half
    • Complete Foundations course
    • Mentor observes candidate; candidate observes mentor
  • Year 2
    • Complete Emphasis course
    • Candidate observes mentor; mentor observes candidate
  • Sometime during Year 1 or 2:
    • Complete U.S. Constitution
    • Complete Health
  • Finish program and apply for Clear Credential

Coursework begins after formal recommend or transfer is received, verified, and the candidate is accepted into the program.

Special Subjects coursework falls under the CTE path. You will be participating in CTE coursework, relevant to your special subjects setting. 

  • The registration link for the first course is emailed to the candidate once they are recommended for a preliminary credential. As each course is successfully completed, a certificate of completion is emailed to the candidate along with the registration link for the next required course. Course registration will close at 4 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the course start date.
  • Candidate may request to withdraw from a course within 48 hours of the course start date / time. Request to withdraw must be received by SDCOE DS within this timeframe. 
  • Should a candidate enroll and not successfully complete a course, they will not receive a certificate of completion or the registration link to the next course. He or she will be notified by the SDCOE DS program of his or her non-completion status and required to register and pay for future course sessions, until he or she successfully completes the course.

Questions? Email designatedsubjects@sdcoe.net

For questions, please contact designatedsubjects@sdcoe.net.

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other designated subjects credentials

  • Career Technical Education
1. Career Technical Education (CTE) Credential Information

Career Technical Education is one of the fastest-growing areas of education. These courses prepare students, from middle school to adult, for specific trades in 15 industry sectors. Teachers pursuing a CTE credential come directly from those industry areas. 

  • Special Subjects
1. Special Subjects Credential Information

The Special Subjects Credential authorizes teaching in programs such as Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), Driver Education, and Aviation. These programs are not offered in all districts, and credential requirements and necessary experience are very specific. 

Designated Subjects Credential Pathway Flowcharts