Introduction
The master of arts (M.A.) in education and California teaching credential program prepare 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 Subjects Teaching Credential or a California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential. The Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential authorizes the holder to teach in a K–6, self-contained public school classroom, where all 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 UCSC 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. (Additional education undergraduate courses that satisfy this requirement are listed on the Education Department's website.) 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 or narrative evaluations. 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, and Résumé
Information provided in these documents is used in the selection of candidates. All documents must be submitted by the application deadline.
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 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
- at least one letter should be written by university faculty who can address the applicant’s academic merit and subject area expertise, and at least one letter written 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
Testing
All required examinations must be met by the stated deadlines.
California Basic Skills Requirement
All admitted applicants must verify completion of the California Basic Educational Skills requirement and submit a passing-status verification by June 1 in order to enroll in the program. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement prior to applying to the program. Exam registration confirmations and/or exam score reports must be submitted at the time of application via the online application.
Information on the options for completing this requirement can be found in the following California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Information Leaflet c1667.
Subject-Matter Competence
California state law mandates that all teachers provide evidence of their subject-matter knowledge (state requirement and subject to change).
Admitted Multiple Subject applicants must submit verification of having passed the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects Subtests I-III by June 10 prior to enrollment in the program. However, it is highly recommended that documentation of passing CSET scores be submitted with the application. Multiple Subject applicants must pass each section of the CSET; no coursework or "waiver" program can substitute for passing CSET scores.
Deadline to complete this requirement: June 10 of each year prior to enrollment into the program. However, applicants are encouraged to complete this requirement prior to applying to the program. Exam registration confirmations and/or exam score reports must be submitted at the time of application via the online application.
Additional information can be found at the CSET Registration website.
Single Subject
The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), or verification of an approved subject matter program from the applicant's undergraduate institution is required. Admitted applicants must submit verification of having passed the CSET examination for their subject (e.g., mathematics), or confirmation of 100 percent completion of an approved subject matter program.
Deadline to complete this requirement: June 10 of each year prior to enrollment into the program. However, applicants are encouraged to complete this requirement prior to applying to the program. Exam registration confirmations and/or exam score reports must be submitted at the time of application via the online application. Additional information can be found at the CSET Registration website.
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 have their fingerprints cleared by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the California Department of Justice and obtain a Certificate of Clearance from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
To comply with this regulation, the UCSC Education Department requires all applicants to provide evidence of obtaining their clearance as part of their application for admission to the credential program. Applicants are required to upload a copy of their Certificate of Clearance within their program application by the January 15 application deadline.
Detailed instructions for obtaining a Certificate of Clearance including the required LiveScan fingerprinting form LS-41 can be found on the commission’s website.
NOTE: A U.S. Government-issued social security number or ITIN is required to apply for a Certificate of Clearance and the fingerprinting process.
Applicants who hold a valid (non-expired) Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit are not required to reapply for a Certificate of Clearance. Please submit verification of your valid Emergency Permit with your program application by the January 15 application deadline.
Out-of-state/international applicants must contact the UCSC Education Department for further instructions: education@ucsc.edu.
Applicants should be aware that a criminal conviction on their record may preclude them from obtaining a Certificate of Clearance.
Program and State of California Requirements (Not Required for Initial Admission to the Program)
Many of the program and State of California requirements detailed on the Requirements tab may be met, but are not required prior to enrollment in the program. See the link above for details regarding each of these requirements and how they may be met before admission and enrollment.
Bilingual Authorization Candidates
CSET—Spanish Language and Culture of Emphasis Requirements
- The CSET LOTE (Spanish) Subtest III (CSET test code 147) and CSET LOTE (Spanish) Subtest V (CSET test code 258) (Culture of Emphasis) are required. Admitted applicants must submit verification of having passed the examination prior to completing the final quarter of the M.A./Credential program.
Three-page essay in Spanish
Bilingual Program applicants will be required to submit a three-page essay in Spanish with their application to the M.A./Credential Program. The essay should address topical questions listed on the Education M.A. Supplemental Application contained within the online UCSC Graduate School Application.
For further Information
Please contact the department by email to education@ucsc.edu, or view the Education Department’s home pagewhere potential applicants can obtain full details about the programs.