Middle and High School Teaching Credential Program
Master's Credential Cohort Program Information
- Comprehensive Middle and High School Teacher Preparation Program
- Elementary School Teaching Credential program available
- Accelerated one-year or traditional two-year format options
- Combined master's degree and teaching credential
- Discounted tuition - New for 2012 start dates!
The Basics
Degree: M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and Preliminary Single Subject Credential
Time to Completion: This program offers an accelerated 1-year format or a 2-year format.
Units: 42 Graduate Units and 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
Class Schedule
Each class typically meets once per week at 4:00 or 7:00 p.m. for 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Summer and intersession classes are required for students in the accelerated format and typically hold more frequent class meetings. The program includes two semesters of student teaching, which is completed during the K-12 district school day. Learn more about the MCC Curriculum.
Application Deadline
The one-year program admits students for a start date in early July, and the two-year program admits students for the Fall semester. Click
here for application deadline information.
Financial Aid
Click here for information on financial aid. Please note that for students beginning coursework in Summer 2012, both the 2011-2012 FAFSA and the 2012-2013 FAFSA are required in order to apply for funding for the full 12 months beginning in July. Also required is the Summer Supplemental Financial Aid Form, which will become available on the Office of Financial Aid webpage on February 1 and is due by March 15, 2012.
Tuition is discounted for students in the Master's Credential Cohort Program. Learn more about financing the MCC program.
What can I do with this degree?
The Preliminary Single Subject credential prepares candidates to teach in departmentalized classrooms typically found in middle schools and high schools. This program prepares candidates to apply to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for the 2042 credential, which is required in order to teach in California public schools.
The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction is a course of study aimed at improving candidates’ instructional practices, focusing on the design, delivery, and assessment of programs, units and lessons.
For more program information, visit the department website or attend one of our upcoming Teaching Credential Information Sessions.
Credential-Only Option
Students may complete a Preliminary Single Subject Credential without a master's degree. These students do not take coursework in the cohort model and do not receive the tuition discount available to Master's Credential Cohort students. Learn more about the credential-only program.
Application Checklist
- The University of San Diego Graduate School Admission Application. This application can be completed online at: www.sandiego.edu/admissions/graduate/apply/application.php
- The application fee of $45.
- One official sealed transcript from all colleges and universities attended. It is highly recommended that applicants order an additional set of official transcripts.
- Three professional letters of recommendation from a current supervisor or a professor attesting to both academic and personal skills, and if possible, to teaching abilities.
- The Statement of Purpose. Address each of the following three questions. You do not need to write the 500-word general Statement of Purpose listed on the Graduate Application; please address this prompt instead. Each response has a maximum length of 250 words, for a total maximum length of 750 words for the Statement of Purpose. When writing your response please remember that this is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your writing skills and academic readiness.
- There has been much discussion about an "achievement gap" in K-12 education. What does that mean to you? What do you think are some of the reasons for the gap? What should be the role of a teacher relative to this gap?
- Describe your ideal classroom. How will the teaching and learning in this classroom help to prepare today’s students for an interconnected, global society?
- To become effective educators, teachers need to be willing to persevere through challenges and learn from their experiences. Describe a time when you encountered a significant challenge. How did you respond to the challenge? What did you learn from the experience?
- There has been much discussion about an "achievement gap" in K-12 education. What does that mean to you? What do you think are some of the reasons for the gap? What should be the role of a teacher relative to this gap?
- A current resume.
- Score report showing a passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
- Score report showing a passing score on the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in applicant's chosen content area(s). A passing score on the CSET is required for 1-year program applicants. Two-year program applicants should register to take the exam.
- Required documents for international students (if applicable).
- Official score reports for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
- Transcript Evaluation Report.
- Certification of Finances Form and required documentation.
Requirements for Admission
Standardized Testing Requirements
- Applicants must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). Applicants to the 1-year program are required to pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in applicant's chosen content area(s). Applicants to the 2-year program are not required to pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) in order to be admitted, but should show progress toward the exam by registering to take it.
Education Requirements
- Applicants must complete a bachelor’s degree prior to beginning the program.
- The minimum cumulative Grade Point Average is 2.75 (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate coursework.
Credential Requirements
- No credential is required for admission to this program. Applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain their Certificate of Clearance from the County Office of Education prior to beginning the program.
Experience Requirements
- No professional experience is required for admission to this program.
Interview Requirements
- The most qualified applicants will be invited to an interview.
Requirements for International Applicants
Please note that international applicants must submit additional materials in order to be considered for admission. More information on these requirements is available here.
- A Course-by-Course Transcript Evaluation Report from World Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluators (ECE). Transcripts issued directly in English by the academic institution are preferred. Otherwise, all transcripts that are not issued in English must be officially translated by an approved agency.
- The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required and may only be waived if English is the applicant’s primary language or if he or she obtained a bachelor’s degree in the U.S., Great Britain, Canada or Australia.
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Internet-based test: 83
- Computer-based test: 237
- Paper-based test: 580
- IELTS minimum score:
- Band score 7
- TOEFL minimum scores:
- Certification of Finances Form and required documentation.
Deadline to Apply
All application materials, including transcripts, test score reports and letters of recommendation, must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by the deadline in order for your application to be considered. The current deadlines for admission to this program can be found here.
Application Status and Decisions
To confirm that application materials have been received or to check the status of your application, please log in to the MySanDiego portal with your applicant log-in or contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at 619-260-4524. Admissions decision letters are sent via US Mail.
| Send all application materials to: | For questions about this program or the admissions requirements contact: |
Office of Graduate Admissions Phone: (619) 260-4524 |
Office of Admissions and Outreach Phone: (619) 260-7988 |
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