Education and California Teacher Credential Program M.A.

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 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 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 subject 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.

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 G 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 see.  Additionally, there is a college course work option.  Please see the MA/C Program website for details on these two options.

Multiple Subject Applicants

Individuals can verify subject-matter competence by passing all required subtests of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). Passing exam scores are valid for 10 years. 

The CSET Multiple Subjects exams are comprised of three required subtests. Admitted MA/Credential applicants are required to submit passing test scores for the following:

• CSET: Multiple Subjects - Subtest I (test code 101)
• CSET: Multiple Subjects - Subtest II (test code 214)
• CSET: Multiple Subjects - Subtest III (test code 103)

Multiple Subjects applicants may also satisfy Subject Matter Competency via a CTC-Approved Subject Matter Waiver Program.

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.

Additionally, Multiple Subjects applicants may meet the Subject Matter Competency requirement by completing a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies major or other degree that includes coursework in the content areas pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 44282. SeePSA 21-10.

The Subject Matter Competency requirement may also be met through a combination a combination of the methods described above in whole or in part, to meet each of the domains of the subject matter requirement.

Single Subject Applicants

Individuals may verify subject-matter competence by passing all required subtests of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) by content area. Passing exam scores are valid for 10 years.

Admitted MA/Credential applicants are required to submit passing test scores for the following:

Single Subject applicants may satisfy Subject Matter Competency via a CTC-Approved Subject Matter Waiver Program.

Additionally, Single Subjects applicants may meet the Subject Matter Competency requirement by completing a bachelor’s degree with the same name as the credential sought (e.g. bachelor of science in mathematics will meet the requirement for an applicant seeking a credential in mathematics).

The Subject Matter Competency requirement may also be met through a combination a combination of the methods described above in whole or in part, to meet each of the domains of the subject matter requirement.

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.

A Certificate of Clearance must be submitted directly to the UCSC Online Application. Please upload a copy of your valid Certificate of Clearance or Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit into the online application. 

1. To comply with this regulation the UCSC Education Department must have on file a copy of the Certificate of Clearance before allowing a person to begin public school fieldwork or student teaching.
2. If you hold a valid (non-expired) Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit, you are not required to apply for another Certificate of Clearance. Please upload a copy (pdfs are accepted) of your valid permit.
3. Out-of-state/international applicants must contact the UCSC Education Department for further instructions: edma@ucsc.edu

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 should be aware that a criminal conviction on their record may preclude them from obtaining a Certificate of Clearance.

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.
  • Additional testing information can be found at the CSET Registration website.

Essay in Spanish

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 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 page where potential applicants can obtain full details about the programs.

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:

Single Subject Course Requirements

Take all of the following:

Single Subject Credential students enroll in the two methods courses related to their subject area:

Bilingual Authorization Course Requirements

Take all of the following:

Other Requirements

Program and State of California Requirements

(Not Required for Initial Admission to the Program)

These requirements may be met prior to or while enrolled in the program, but they must be met to be eligible for a California teaching credential.

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.

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 (Level 1) Requirement

All candidates for their credential must fulfill the requirements for Level 1 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 Level 1 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.

Candidates should not take this examination prior to completing EDUC 220.

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:

• Meet university and program requirements and deadlines (including school expectations during field experiences).

• Plan ahead to anticipate the transportation needs and potential demands of student teaching.

• Be able to adapt to institutional and/or professional expectations and policies.

• Relate appropriately to children, parents, and school staff.

• Demonstrate sensitivity to the social, cultural, and economic context of the school environment.

• 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 10–14 hours a week depending on the school site schedule. To enroll in this course, 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 are in the classroom placements 14 or more hours a week in winter quarter leading toward full time in the classroom by spring quarter. They 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 obtain classroom experience in both primary and intermediate grades. Single Subject candidates 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 that passing the CSET examination is a requirement for Advanced Student Teaching. Students who have not completed the CSET requirement prior to winter quarter will be asked to take a leave of absence from the program.