Single-Subject Credential in Theatre
A teaching credential is a logical extension to a bachelor’s degree in Theatre.
A B.A. is built to expose students to the breadth of the field of Theatre, including design, directing, acting, management, and dramaturgical techniques as well as the history and theory of the craft, providing a strong foundation for future theatre teachers.
The teaching credential program is built to add to that strong foundation by providing you with the pedagogical knowledge and skills to guide you in effectively bridging your content area expertise with the needs of a theatre classroom.
About the program
Teaching high school theatre in the state of California requires a Single-Subject Credential in Theatre, issued by the California Commission on Teaching Credentials. This program is a two-semester post-baccalaureate program that meets the requirements of that credentialing process.
CSUF's Theatre Credential program focuses on practicing a consent-based, anti-oppressive approach to theatre pedagogy, providing teacher candidates with tools to help establish inclusive and accessible classrooms. Our goal is to arm future theatre teachers with the tools they need to change theatre education for the better.
During this program, you will student teach at a public school in partnership with a mentor teacher in a theatre classroom. You will spend the first semester observing, co-planning, and co-facilitating; during the second semester, you’ll take the lead.
Throughout your year of student teaching, coursework at CSUF will support you in improving your teaching practice.
This program's Subject Area Coordinator is Dr. Amanda Rose Villarreal
How long is the program?
This is a one-year program. If applicants have completed the program prerequisites, the program begins in the Fall and continues throughout the Spring semester. If the applicant has not completed prerequisites, they will need to complete coursework during Summer sessions prior to entering the program.
New cohorts begin every Fall.
What are the minimum qualifications for admission
Minimum requirements:
A bachelor’s degree in theatre,
OR
A bachelor’s degree in any field
and
a passing score on the
CSET exam for Theatre, demonstrating content competency.
Attend a
program overview session
.
Transcripts show a minimum 2.67 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
What are the preferred qualifications?
Preferred Qualifications:
Transcripts show a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
The applicants most likely to be accepted will be those who demonstrate knowledge or experience in all three of the following areas:
- Performance: acting, devising, directing
- Production: design, tech, and management
- Pedagogy: teaching, implementing standards, and working with youth in theatre
What are the pre-requisite courses?
EDSC 310, 320, 330, 340 are required prior to beginning the program.
These can be completed prior to applying or can be in progress at the time of application, but must be completed prior to the Fall Semester of the credential program.
These courses can be completed at CSU Fullerton or another 4-year institution. Find more information on these courses and equivalences here
What does the program include?
Fall Semester (15 units):
EDSC 410: Teaching and Learning from Language Learners in Secondary Schools
EDSC 440S General Pedagogy in Secondary Schools
EDSC 440F Supervised Fieldwork in Secondary Schools
EDSC 449E Externship in Single Subject Teaching
THTR 442 Methods in Anti-Oppressive Theatrical Praxis
Spring Semester (16 units):
EDSC 460 Teaching Performance Assessment Seminar
THTR 449I Second Semester Student Teaching
THTR 449S Seminar in Secondary Theatre Education
Student Teaching Placement:
This program requires that all teacher candidates complete a year of student teaching, supervised by a Mentor Teacher. CSUF faculty and staff will secure placement on your behalf; once a placement is secured, you are expected to complete student teaching obligations and support extra-curricular theatre activities at your designated placement site during both Fall and Spring semesters.
For more information, see the Cal State Fullerton College of Education’s Secondary Credential Program Handbook.
How do I apply?
Interested applicants should complete or enroll in the prerequisites, attend an information session, and submit their application and letters of recommendation via Cal State Apply
.
- Once at the Cal State Apply page, select term “Fall 2025”
- Under “Add Program” search for “theatre” and select “Single Subject Credential – Theatre at CSU Fullerton
For assistance with the application, reach out to the Center for Careers in Teaching
For more information, including links to registration for information sessions and deadlines for application, visit the Cal State Fullerton’s College of Education Credential Program Admissions page
What are the application requirements?
All applicants will be expected to submit the following materials:
- Copies of official transcripts from all institutions you attended
- Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance
- Evidence of having attended an overview session: upload a screenshot or pdf of the follow-up email you received after attendance
- Program Application Fee Receipt
- CPR Certification
- Subject Matter Requirement: If you received a degree in theatre, upload your transcripts. If you did not, you will need to upload evidence of a passing score on the Theatre CSET exams.
- Evidence of US Constitution completion: this may be in your transcripts if you took a course
- Evidence of completion of prerequisite coursework: this may be in your transcripts. If you have not yet completed the prerequisites, include your plan for completing the prerequisite coursework prior to beginning the program in the Fall.
- Two Recommendations: these can be from professors or employers, but cannot be from Dr. Amanda Rose Villarreal.
- Application Essay: In an effort to better understand your views on and commitment to Just, Equitable, and Inclusive Education (JEIE), you must write a 2 to 3 pages double-spaced statement that addresses one of the following prompts:
Please provide a concrete example of how you demonstrated your commitment to JEIE in relation to working with individuals from traditionally marginalized social backgrounds (e.g., race, class, gender, ability, language, sexual orientation) in a classroom, program, or organization. Feel free to use examples from professional or volunteer settings. Please ensure that you end your statement with a reflection of your desired areas of growth pertaining to JEIE and why you hope to develop these areas.
OR
Please describe a concrete example (from your own experience either within or outside of the classroom or based on the readings you have read) of educational inequity or injustice and describe what you would do to address this inequity as a teacher in the classroom. Be as specific as possible and explain why you believe your actions would make a difference. Please ensure that you end your statement with a reflection of your desired areas of growth pertaining to JEIE and why you hope to develop these areas.
- Intern Applicants:
Contract or letter from participating school district verifying start date of internship agreement
Single Subject Application
CSUF Online Processing Fee
What if I am already teaching and want to add theatre to my existing credentials?
Our intern program is developed for teacher candidates already employed in a public school but seeking a theatre credential.
This includes a full-year option and an Early Completion Option (ECO) second-semester only program.
What does the application process look like?
You must attend a 90-minute overview session prior to application.
Applications must be submitted through Cal State Apply . This application process requires you to submit additional materials, including but not limited to:
- transcripts
- a Certificate of Clearance issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- letters of recommendation
- evidence of having attended an overview session
- a well-written essay answering the application prompt
Applicants who submit complete applications and all required materials will be invited to an interview. The interview process includes the following:
- presentation of your portfolio
- five questions in an interview with a panel, including the Subject Area Coordinator, a Clinical Coach, and a current Teacher Candidate.
What should the portfolio consist of?
The portfolio should include images and short written statements, demonstrating your knowledge and experience in each of the following areas:
- Performance
- Subcategories may include: acting, directing, devising, etc
- Production
- Subcategories may include: lighting, stage management, sound design, etc
- Pedagogy
- Subcategories may include: lesson planning, teaching experience, leading youth theatre, community-engaged theatre, applied theatre, etc
Each subcategory—for example, “lighting” or “stage management” or “teaching experience”—should be titled and should include the following:
- Photos or programs as evidence of production work, or pertinent related assignments
- A bulleted list of no more than 10 experiences that best highlight the breadth and depth of your knowledge and experience in that area. This list can include college coursework, workshops and training, or professional work in that area
- A written statement of no more than two paragraphs explaining the variety of experiences you’ve had in that area and how these experiences will inform your teaching
Include photos or program sections that provide evidence of your best work in each area in coursework or in production.
Organize your portfolio into sections. Each section should be titled appropriately as “Performance,” “Production,” or “Pedagogy” and each subcategory within that section should be titled to clearly label the focus area: for example, a section titled “Directing” should include all photographic evidence and writing focused on directing, and a section titled “Costume Design” should include evidence and writing focused on costuming.
Your portfolio should be saved as a PDF and emailed as an attachment to the Subject Area Coordinator a minimum of two weeks before your interview to give the committee time to review your portfolio before your interview.
