Education
McHenry Library
Advising: education@ucsc.edu
https://education.ucsc.edu/
Programs Offered
Education, Democracy, and Justice B.A.
Education Minor (General)
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education Minor
Education Contiguous Bachelor's/Master's Pathway
Education M.A. and California Teacher Credential Program
Education Ph.D.
Education Designated Emphasis
Other Programs of Interest
Science Education B.S.
Mathematics Education B.A.
The purpose of the Education Department’s instructional programs is to prepare all students—both undergraduates and graduates—to engage in the analysis and integration of educational theory, research, and practice for an increasingly diverse society. Our commitment is built around four interrelated domains: 1) schools, families, and communities; 2) teacher education and teacher development; 3) language, literacy, and learning; and 4) mathematics and science education. Foundational to our programs is an acknowledgment of the social, cultural, and political contexts in which all aspects of education occur.
The Education Department offers a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) program for students who have exemplary academic preparation as well as experience working in educational settings. We offer a master's level/teaching credential (MA/C) teacher-preparation program; an education major, Education, Democracy and Justice B.A.; and we have two vibrant undergraduate education minor tracks, the education minor and the STEM education minor, that serve more than 300 undergraduates each year.
Undergraduate Program
The UC Santa Cruz undergraduate courses in education engage students in histories of educational thought and philosophy, the politics and economics of education, multiple approaches to learning theory and teaching pedagogy, and contemporary issues of cultural and linguistic diversity in education.
The state of California does not allow academic majors in education that lead to a teaching credential. Instead, UC Santa Cruz offers an undergraduate major in education and two minors in education for students who are considering a career in teaching or who hold a more general interest in educational studies. Please note that the major and minors in education do not provide a California Teaching Credential. Additionally, please note that the UC Santa Cruz teaching credential program is a graduate program and coursework taken in the major or minor cannot be substituted for credential requirements, except in specifically designated pathways.
In addition to students with a general interest in educational studies, the undergraduate major in education is an option for students considering a career in K-6 teaching and planning to enter a credential program after undergraduate degree completion. Students in other majors who are considering a career in K-6 or 7-12 teaching should start planning in their junior year. Find out more about K-12 school teaching careers here.