Introduction
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Education and California Teaching Credential Program prepares prospective teachers to work with California’s culturally and linguistically diverse student population. Students in this program earn a master’s degree and are eligible to apply for a Preliminary California Credential upon completing a 12-month, five-quarter program comprised of two summers and one academic year. Graduates of the program are prepared to teach English language learners enrolled in K–12 public schools. The program also offers the Bilingual Authorization (in Spanish) for primary language instruction or dual language immersion instruction in a K–12 setting.
Please note that we do not offer a stand-alone Master of Arts in Education nor a stand-alone credential program. Additionally, holders of a previously issued California or out-of-state credential are not eligible for admission to the program.
Students who complete the program are eligible to apply for a California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential or a California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential. The Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach in a K—12, self-contained public school classroom, where two or more subjects are taught by the same teacher. The Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach in his/her credential subject area in a 6-12 departmentalized classroom setting within a public school system.
The UC Santa Cruz Single Subject Teacher-Credential Program offers the following subject areas: mathematics, English, social science, and science. Programs of study are subject to change.
Because program requirements are authorized by statutes and regulated by a state entity, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing program requirements must be responsive to new legislation and regulatory policies. Admission requirements and programs of study referred to are subject to change to comply with regulatory mandates.
Prerequisite Admission Requirements
All candidates for the M.A./Credential program must have preparation in the following areas:
A course, or equivalent experience, that addresses cultural and linguistic diversity. The following UC Santa Cruz undergraduate education courses are examples of courses that meet this requirement: EDUC 128, Immigrants and Education; EDUC 141, Bilingualism and Schooling; EDUC 164, Urban Education; EDUC 181, Race, Class, and Culture in Education. Other courses offered outside the Education Department may be acceptable, however, outside coursework cannot be preapproved by the department. When applying to the program note your outside coursework in your statement of purpose along with an explanation as to how your coursework addresses cultural and linguistic diversity.
A documented field experience with children or youth in an educational setting at the general age level which the candidate aspires to teach. Experiences such as directed observation, substitute teaching, school tutoring, work in after-school programs, camp counseling, instructional aide, or the equivalent are acceptable experiences. When applying to the program, please describe your field experience in the designated area of the application titled Statement of Purpose.
Application Selection Criteria
Admission to the program is competitive. Candidates for admission are selected, in part, on the following criteria:
Academic Record
College coursework is evaluated with attention to content and grades. The appropriateness of courses taken for the credential sought is also taken into consideration. For the multiple subjects credential, students should have an extensive breadth of courses in the core subject areas taught in elementary school—mathematics, science, social science, and English. For the single subject credential, students should have an extensive body of coursework in the content area.
Statement of Purpose, Writing Sample, Letters of Recommendation, Personal History Statement, and Résumé
Information provided in these documents is used in the selection of candidates. All documents must be submitted by the application deadline.
Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose should discuss the following:
- An explanation of why you want to become a teacher
- How your experience has contributed to your motivation and potential to be an educational leader
- A description of your experiences related to youth, cultural and linguistic diversity, and community involvement
Writing Sample
- A sample of your writing (no more than 10 double-spaced pages)
- A research-based paper is preferred, for example, a paper written on an educational topic or a paper written in your content area
- Alternatively, applicants may choose to write a brief piece specifically for this application
Letters of Recommendation
- Three letters of recommendation are required
- Two letters should be submitted by university faculty who can address the applicant’s academic merit and subject area expertise, and at least one letter submitted by someone in the field who has observed the applicant’s work with children or youth in the applicable general age-group for the credential you are seeking through the UCSC Credential Program
- It is recommended that these letters are current and address your qualifications in the following areas:
Academic performance and subject-area expertise
Field work with youth
Experience in culturally and linguistically diverse settings and with student populations who have traditionally been underserved in schools and classrooms.
Personal History
- Write a statement (approximately two to five pages) explaining how your personal history has influenced your decision to apply to this graduate program.
Résumé
- A résumé that includes an employment history; any relevant volunteer or community work, especially in schools and/or with children; and experiences in multicultural and multilingual settings
- Include information on languages (other than English) in which you have competence.
Bilingual Authorization Essay (Bilingual Authorization applicants only)
- Candidates must submit an essay in Spanish as described in the online application.
Admission Requirements
California Basic Skills Requirement
All admitted applicants must verify completion of the California Basic Skills Requirement by meeting one of the options A through H below. The deadline to complete this requirement: June 10 of each year (prior to official enrollment in the program). However, it is highly recommended that documentation of completion be submitted with the application. Exam registration confirmations, and/or exam score reports, or verification of meeting an alternate option for the Basic Skills Requirement must be submitted at the time of application via the online application.
A. The California Basic Skills Test (CBEST). B. The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects Subtests I-III plus the CSET: Writing Skills subtest #142 (passing these tests also meets the Subject Matter Competency requirement for Multiple Subject candidates; see below).
C. CSU EAP ('Ready' in English and Math) or CSU Placement Exams (English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Math (ELM)).
D. SAT (Math 550, English Critical Reading 500).
E. ACT (Math 23, English 22).
F. AP English (3 or higher) and AP Calculus or AP Statistics (3 or higher).
G. College coursework in reading, writing and mathematics. See the MA/C Program website for more information about this option.
H. Coursework and Exam. The Basic Skills Requirement can be met through a combination of applicable courses and qualifying exams.
For more information on these additional options, see California Commission on Teaching Credentialing Basic Skills Requirements.
Subject-Matter Requirement
California state law mandates that all teachers provide evidence of their subject-matter knowledge. Exam registration confirmations, exam score reports, or documentation of an approved waiver program must be submitted on the online application. Deadline to complete this requirement is June 10 of each year (prior to official enrollment in the program). However, it is highly recommended that documentation of meeting the subject matter requirement be submitted with the application. Please note that admission priority may be given to applicants who provide documentation at the time of application. In addition to the options listed below, the Subject Matter Requirement may be met if your bachelor’s degree is in the same area as the credential that you seek. Additionally, there is a college course work option. Please see the MA/C Program website for details on the various options to meet the state Subject Matter Requirement.
Options to meet the Subject Matter Requirement
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Passing scores on the appopriate CSET tests
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Completion of a CTC-Approved Subject Matter Program
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College coursework in each of the identified subject domains
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B.A./B.S. in the same area as the credential sought
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The Subject Matter Requirement may also be met through a combination of college coursework and CSET exams to meet the content for all required CSET subtests.
The deadline to submit evidence of satisfying Subject Matter Competency Requirement is June 10. However, it is highly recommended that documentation of satisfying the Subject Matter Competency Requirement be submitted at the time of application.
More information on each of the Subject Matter Requirements can be found here.
Certificate of Clearance
In accordance with Education Code Section 44320(b), each credential candidate for an initial credential, prior to admission to any credential program, must obtain a Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). This certificate is a document issued by the commission to an individual who has completed the commission’s fingerprint character and identification process. Please note that the CTC requires either a United States-issued Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for a Certificate of Clearance. The IRS issues ITINs regardless of immigration status, primarily for the purpose of federal tax reporting. Detailed instructions for obtaining a Certificate of Clearance may be found here. Additional information can be found on the Education website here.
Applicants should be aware that a criminal conviction on their record may preclude them from obtaining a Certificate of Clearance.
Bilingual Authorization Candidates
Applicants seeking Bilingual Authorization must obtain it concurrently with a preliminary multiple subjects or single subject credential. While the state allows the Bilingual Authorization to be obtained after the candidate receives their credential, the UC Santa Cruz program is a concurrent model. Bilingual Program applicants will be required to submit a 1-2-page essay in Spanish with their application to the M.A./Credential Program. The essay should address topical questions listed on the Education Department website here.
For Further Information
Please contact the department by email to edma@ucsc.edu, or view the Education M.A./Credential Program admissions requirement webpage for full details about the M.A./Credential program.
Requirements
Course Requirements
Capstone Requirements
Students will complete a capstone portfolio, which includes a teaching performance assessment and reflective papers. Prompts for these assignments may vary from year to year as they reflect the most current California state credentialing requirements.
Multiple Subject Course Requirements
Take all of the following:
| EDUC 200 | Beginning Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 201 | Intermediate Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 202A | Advanced Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 202B | Advanced Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 202C | Advanced Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 203 | Teaching English Language Development: Foundations, Approaches, and Strategies | 5 |
| EDUC 205 | Teaching, Learning, and Schooling in a Diverse Society | 5 |
| EDUC 207 | Social Foundations of Education | 5 |
| EDUC 208 | Portfolio Development | 2 |
| EDUC 210 | Health, Safety, and Community | 2 |
| EDUC 211 | Teaching Special Populations in the General Education Classroom | 2 |
| EDUC 213 | Child and Adolescent Development for Educators | 2 |
| EDUC 214 | Contemporary Issues in Education | 2 |
| EDUC 217 | Topics in Elementary Education: Physical Education | 2 |
| EDUC 218 | Topics in Elementary Education: Visual Arts | 2 |
| EDUC 219 | Topics in Elementary Education: Performing Arts | 2 |
| EDUC 220 | Reading and Language Arts for Elementary Classrooms | 5 |
| EDUC 221 | Science Learning and Teaching in Elementary Classrooms | 5 |
| EDUC 222 | Mathematics Learning and Teaching in Elementary Classrooms | 5 |
Single Subject Course Requirements
Take all of the following:
| EDUC 200 | Beginning Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 201 | Intermediate Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 201A | Intermediate Student Teaching: Single Subject | 5 |
| EDUC 202A | Advanced Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 202B | Advanced Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 202C | Advanced Student Teaching | 5 |
| EDUC 204 | Methods of English Language Development: Single Subject | 5 |
| EDUC 205 | Teaching, Learning, and Schooling in a Diverse Society | 5 |
| EDUC 207 | Social Foundations of Education | 5 |
| EDUC 208 | Portfolio Development | 2 |
| EDUC 210 | Health, Safety, and Community | 2 |
| EDUC 211 | Teaching Special Populations in the General Education Classroom | 2 |
| EDUC 213 | Child and Adolescent Development for Educators | 2 |
| EDUC 214 | Contemporary Issues in Education | 2 |
| EDUC 225 | Reading Across the Curriculum in Middle School and Secondary | 5 |
Single Subject Credential students enroll in the two methods courses related to their subject area:
| EDUC 226 | English Teaching: Theory and Curriculum | 5 |
| EDUC 227 | English Teaching for Secondary Classrooms | 5 |
| EDUC 228 | Math Education: Research and Practice | 5 |
| EDUC 229 | Teaching Mathematics in the Secondary Classroom | 5 |
| EDUC 230 | Science Education: Research and Practice | 5 |
| EDUC 231 | Teaching Science in the Secondary Classroom | 5 |
| EDUC 232 | Social Science: Theory and Curriculum | 5 |
| EDUC 233 | Social Science Teaching for Secondary Classrooms | 5 |
Bilingual Authorization Course Requirements
Take all of the following:
| EDUC 212A | Bilingualism and Biliteracy: History, Politics, Theory, and Practice | 2 |
| EDUC 212B | Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Language, Literacy and Content Instruction | 2 |
| EDUC 212C | Bilingualism and Biliteracy: Community and School Partnerships | 2 |
Other Requirements
Program and State of California Requirements
Additional California State Requirements for a Preliminary Credential
(Not Required for Initial Admission to the Program)
In addition to the Basic Skills and Submit Matter Requirements, the following state requirements may be met prior to or while enrolled in the program, and must be met to be eligible for a California teaching credential upon completion of the M.A./Credential program.
U.S. Constitution Requirement
A course on the U.S. Constitution (or completion of an examination offered by the Education Department to enrolled students) is required. UCSC-approved courses that meet this requirement are POLI 20, American Politics; POLI 111A/LGST 111A, Constitutional Law; POLI 120A, Congress, President, and the Court in American Politics; and HIS 10A, United States History to 1877. Passage of the AP exam in U.S. History or Government are acceptable for meeting the U.S. Constitution requirement if the applicant received college credit for the exam.
Admitted applicants must submit verification of completing the U.S. Constitution Requirement prior to completing the final quarter of the M.A./Credential program.
Preliminary Technology Requirement
All candidates for their credential must fulfill the requirements for technology skills which includes general and specialized skills in the use of computers in educational settings.
UC Santa Cruz students meet this requirement in one of two ways:
- Option 1: Pass the CSET Preliminary Educational Technology Subsets I & II, (CSET test codes 133 & 134). For more information, see the Technology Subsets I & II information on the CSET website.
- Option 2: Pass the UCSC approved course offered through the UCSC Extension Program, XSC209, Technology in Schools, Introduction (online format).
Admitted applicants must submit verification of completing the Technology Requirement prior to completing the final quarter of the M.A./Credential program.
Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
Multiple Subjects candidates are required—prior to completion of the program and in order to be recommended for a preliminary credential—to pass the RICA examination. The RICA measures the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential to offer effective reading instruction to K–12 students. For more information on the RICA examination, see the RICA examination information on the CSET website.
Admitted applicants must submit verification of having passed the RICA prior to completing the final quarter of the M.A./Credential program.
CPR
A certified cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course (infant, child, and adult) must be completed and valid upon application for the credential.
Admitted applicants must submit verification of obtaining certification in Infant/Child/Adult CPR prior to completing the final quarter of the M.A./Credential program.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test
All K-12 schools require anyone working with children to be tested for TB. You can get tested through the UCSC Student Health Center (831-459-2500 to make an appointment) or your private doctor. A copy of your official results must be turned into the Education Department before the end of the first summer quarter.
Student Teaching
The successful development of teaching skills in the classrooms is the culmination of a teacher education program. Therefore, candidates must demonstrate, by the end of their program, teaching competence in the classroom. Credentialed public school teachers are responsible for the nurturing of children and youth. Therefore, teaching credential candidates must consistently display conduct befitting the profession. To this end, the candidate must be able to cope with the demands and responsibilities of teaching as outlined below:
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Meet university and program requirements and deadlines (including school expectations during field experiences).
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Plan ahead to anticipate the transportation needs and potential demands of student teaching.
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Be able to adapt to institutional and/or professional expectations and policies.
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Relate appropriately to children, parents, and school staff.
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Demonstrate sensitivity to the social, cultural, and economic context of the school environment.
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Adhere to school expectations for dress, appearance, and personal hygiene.
Candidates whose professional behavior does not meet these minimal standards may be recommended for dismissal from the program.
Beginning Student Teaching, which begins in August during the Summer Bridge between the university summer and fall quarters, constitutes the first classroom observation experience for students in the program, and continues through most of fall quarter. Student teachers are in their classroom placements from 15–16 hours a week. Students must have a Certificate of Clearance issued and on file with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Intermediate and advanced student teaching begins late fall and continues through winter and spring, until the end of the academic year in June. Student teachers are placed with cooperating teachers in local schools throughout Santa Cruz County and beyond. Students gradually assume responsibility for preparation, instruction, and evaluation of the class during this period. Supervisors of teacher education give ongoing and frequent support to students in their classroom placements and in seminars at UCSC. Multiple Subject candidates typically obtain classroom experience in both primary and intermediate grades. Single Subject candidates typically obtain classroom experience in middle school/junior high and high school.
Admission to EDUC 201 and EDUC 201A, Intermediate Student Teaching, and EDUC 202A-EDUC 202B-EDUC 202C, Advanced Student Teaching, is based on an assessment of academic performance, experience, leadership, and initiative shown in public school placements and required courses taken earlier in the program. Please note meeting the state Subject Matter Requirement is necessary for enrollment in Advanced Student Teaching.