A single subject credential is required to teach other subjects at the high school level.  You can start by earning your degree at FCC in the following majors.  Then move on to a 4 year university to complete your education and earn your credential.  

Attracting and keeping quality teachers in California classrooms is a constant challenge. With about a third of the teaching force nearing retirement, the Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning estimates that California will need an additional 100,000 teachers over the next decade*. Fresno County is home to the fourth largest school district in the state and is just one of the many local districts in desperate need of highly qualified teacher candidates.

*source: Understaffed and Underprepared: California Districts Report Ongoing Teacher Shortages

If you are considering teaching English and Social Studies classes for grades 7–8, please contact school district(s) for more information on credential requirements for teaching middle school.  Some school districts require a multiple-subject credential, while others require single-subject credential.

For a single-subject credential, major in the subject area you plan on teaching. For example, at FCC we offer majors in:

• Studio Art, AA-T
• English, AA-T
• Math, AS-T
• Biology, AS-T
• Kinesiology, AS-T
• Spanish, AA-T
• Political Science, AA-T
• History, AA-T
• Music, AA-T
• Geology, AS-T
• Physics, AS-T
• Industrial Arts & Technology, AS

Learn more about each major

It is recommended that students intending to complete a single-subject credential complete EDUC-10 Introduction to Teach and Classroom Fieldwork as an elective option within their degree at FCC. This class is equivalent to EHD-50 Introduction to Teaching at Fresno State which is a prerequisite course for their single-subject credential program.

Note: the following degrees and certificates are no longer offered:

• Associate in Arts:  Liberal Studies
• Associate in Science, Teacher Aide
• Certificate of Achievement:  Special Education Assistant
• Certificate of Achievement, Teacher Aide
• Certificate:  Teacher Aide - Special Education

Students enrolled under previous catalogs are still eligible to earn these. Please contact a counselor for more information about catalog rights.

Tuition at Fresno City College is $46 per unit.

1. Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (F.5920.AA-T)
   • Students will complete 56 major units combined with general education courses to meet a minimum of 60 semester units, for a total of $2,760 in tuition costs.
2. Education: Education Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5911.CA)
   • Students will complete 48 units for a total of $2,208 in tuition costs.
3. Education: Early Childhood Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5912.CA)
   • Students will complete 48 units for a total of $2,208 in tuition costs.
4. Education: Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5913.CA)
   • Students will complete 48 units for a total of $2,208 in tuition costs.

Required Fees:

• Health fee ($21 per semester, $13 if off campus/online per semester)
• Associated Student Body fee ($2 per semester, but opportunity to waive the fee at the time of registration if the student so chooses)

Optional Fees:

• Parking pass ($30 per semester) – This fee is waived for the 2022-2023 school year
• Student ID card (Now Free)

Additional Fees:

• Fingerprinting ($40-$70) - If required by school district where student is completing fieldwork or lab hours

A student can pay in one or a combination of ways: directly using a credit card, through a grant (attend or review our Financial Aid Zoom workshop noted above for grant information), or with a scholarship or fee waiver through partner programs.

• Financial Aid
  • What is the FAFSA?
  • FAFSA: Creating an FSA ID
  • What is Verification?
  • What does SAP stand for?
• Upward Mobility Pathways (also known as Reading and Beyond)
  • Upward Mobility Overview Video
• Workforce Connection (also known as Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board)
  • Workforce Connection Overview Video
• CalWORKs
  • CalWORKs Overview Video

1. Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (F.5920.AA-T)
   • Upon completion of this degree, students may seek employment as a paraprofessional. However, the Elementary Teacher Education Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year university to complete a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and a preliminary Multiple Subject Elementary Teaching Credential.
   • More information on related careers can be found here: Career Coach - Education: Elementary Teacher Education (emsicc.com)
2. Education: Education Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5911.CA)
   • The Education: Education Paraprofessional Certificate of Achievement prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) school settings. Completing the certificate satisfies the federal No Child Left Behind requirements for employment in school districts and is the foundation for the Associate degree for Transfer in Elementary Teacher Education.
3. Education: Early Childhood Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5912.CA)
   • The Education: Early Childhood Paraprofessional Certificate of Achievement prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in preschool through grade 12 (K-12) school settings. Completing the certificate satisfies the federal No Child Left Behind requirements for employment in school districts and is the foundation for the Associate degree for Transfer in Elementary Teacher Education.
   • More information on related careers can be found here: Career Coach - Education: Early Childhood Paraprofessional (emsicc.com)
4. Education: Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5913.CA)
   • The Education: Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate of Achievement prepares students to work as paraprofessionals in special education classrooms in kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) school settings. Completing the certificate satisfies the federal No Child Left Behind requirements for employment in school districts and is the foundation for the Associate degree for Transfer in Elementary Teacher Education.
   • More information on related careers can be found here: Career Coach - Education: Special Education Paraprofessional (emsicc.com)

Yes! The Elementary Teacher Education Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer is designed for students who plan to transfer to a 4-year college to complete their bachelor’s degree. However, every 4-year college accepts coursework differently. It is recommended that students intending to transfer to a CSU should complete the CSU-General Education pattern, and those planning to attend a UC should complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern.

Students should work with a counselor to create a comprehensive student educational plan (SEP-C) to confirm they take courses that will guide them to their preferred academic and career path.

Courses completed in the Education: Paraprofessional certificate programs may apply toward additional Education: Paraprofessional certificates or the Early Elementary Teacher Education associate degree. Students should meet with a counselor to confirm courses and certificates are completed in the appropriate order.

Fresno City College uses the same registration system as all California Community Colleges. A student must apply through CCCApply, if not already a California Community College student, to receive a student identification number. Once you have a student identification number, you may schedule a counselor appointment to discuss the program and create a Student Educational Plan (SEP). This plan will guide your course selection and registration through Self-Service.

For more assistance with applying to Fresno City College, please access one or more of the resources below:

Initial Steps: Apply to Fresno City College | Fresno City College

If you are a first-time student, transfer student, high school student, graduating senior, or returning student you can start by submitting the appropriate application to Fresno City College through the link provided above.

College Relations: College Relations Office | Fresno City College

Students may receive additional support through our College Relations and Outreach office. This team of counselors specializes in assisting new college students from application to advising courses to attending their first day of class.

Courses may be offered face-to-face or online, with most courses scheduled during the day and a few in the evening. Practicum and lab courses are only offered in a face-to-face format. Students may enroll full time (12+ units) or part-time (1-11 units).

1. Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (F.5920.AA-T)
   • Students will complete 56 major units combined with general education courses to meet a minimum of 60 semester units. Students who enroll full-time may complete this degree in 4 semesters.
2. Education: Education Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5911.CA)
   • Students will complete 48 units that must be taken in the proper sequence. Students who enroll full-time may complete this certificate in 3-4 semesters.
3. Education: Early Childhood Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5912.CA)
   • Students will complete 48 units that must be taken in the proper sequence. Students who enroll full-time may complete this certificate in 3-4 semesters.
4. Education: Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate (F.5913.CA)
   • Students will complete 48 units that must be taken in the proper sequence. Students who enroll full-time may complete this certificate in 3-4 semesters.

As part of each Education degree or certificate program, students are required to complete a work experience/practicum course (EDUC-10, EDUC-19/19X) which requires placement at a volunteer or paid work site. Students are responsible for securing their site placement, though faculty may serve as a resource to connect with potential employers and internship providers.

Students may also receive job and internship placement assistance through our Career and Employment Center: Career And Employment Center | Fresno City College