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 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. 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
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 Skills Requirement by meeting one of the options A through F 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 Thinking 500).
E. ACT (Math 23, English 22).
F. AP English (3 or higher) and AP Calculus or AP Statistics (3 or higher).
For more information on these additional options, see California Commission on Teaching Credentialing Basic Skills Requirements.
Subject-Matter Competence
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.
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)
Additionally, Multiple Subject applicants may 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.
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 Area |
Credential Type |
CSET Subtests Required (test code) |
| English |
English |
English Subtest I (105)
English Subtest II(106)
English Subtest III (107)
English Subtest IV (108)
|
| Mathematics |
Mathematics |
Mathematics Subtest I (211) Mathematics Subtest II (212) Mathematics Subtest III (213) |
| Foundational-Level Mathematics |
Mathematics Subtest I (211) Mathematics Subtest II (212) |
| Science |
Science: Life Science |
Science Subtest I (215) Science Subtest II (217) |
| Science: Chemistry |
Science Subtest I (215) Science Subtest II (218) |
| Science: Earth and Space Sciences |
Science Subtest I (215) Science Subtest II (219) |
| Science: Physics |
Science Subtest I (215) Science Subtest II (220) |
| Science: Foundational-Level |
Science Subtest I (215) |
| Social Science |
Social Science |
Social Science Subtest I (114) Social Science Subtest II (115) Social Science Subtest III (116) |
Additionally, Single Subject applicants may satisfy Subject Matter Competency via a CTC-Approved Subject Matter Waiver Program.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 page where potential applicants can obtain full details about the programs.