To become a teacher at the high school level, one must pass the CSET tests -or- complete an approved set of science courses. This set of courses is called the Subject Matter Preparation Program in Science.

The Science Preparation Program

California State University, Hayward's Subject Matter Preparation Program in Science is a set of courses selected to give you the foundation you need to teach science in high school or junior high. CSU Hayward's Science Preparation Program has received full approval by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. It is not necessary to complete a bachelor's program in any of the four concentration departments in order to satisfy the conditions of a preparation program. However, students who wish to obtain a bachelor's degree in one of the departments, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geological Science or Physics, will find that the Preparation Program is designed to satisfy many of the major requirements as well as the preparation program requirements. You may wish to consider if it is worthwhile to complete the additional courses necessary to meet the degree requirements in the selected major.

If you already have a degree or have taken coursework you feel satisfies all or many of the Program requirements, you may select to be evaluated. The evaluation will need to show that you have completed 80% or more of the coursework in both the Breadth and your concentration (Biology, Geology, Chemistry or Physics) to enter the credential program.

The University

The university operates on a quarter system with four quarters in each year. You may begin taking courses at CSU Hayward any quarter. Fall quarter begins around the third week of September; Winter quarter begins early in January; Spring quarter begins in late March or early April; and the Summer Quarter begins in late June. Each quarter lasts approximately ten weeks.