Academy of Catholic Teaching (ACT)
Creating Opportunities to Teach by Example in San Diego’s K–12 Catholic Schools
This innovative, three-year program creates pathways for outstanding teacher candidates to teach in Catholic schools through rigorous coursework, involvement within the Catholic community, spiritual development and field experiences.
As part of the program, students will teach in a local Catholic school while also earning a Master’s of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. Upon completion, students will also be eligible for a preliminary California Multiple Subjects or Single Subject Teaching Credential and Education Specialist Credential.3
Years teaching in a K–12 Catholic school
60%
Of students’ schedules will include working as a teacher
150
Hours of special education public school teacher observation
20
Hours of general education public school teacher observation
Academy of Catholic Teaching
Three essential pillars
The ACT program is based on the three pillars of the University Consortium for Catholic Education (UCCE)
Service through teaching
Students commit to teaching for three years in a Catholic K–12 school in the Diocese of San Diego.
Community engagement
Foster a supportive environment by creating positive classroom community culture, connecting with ACT Fellows and UCCE alumni and participating in professional growth opportunities.
Spirituality
Participants are expected to proactively attend to their spiritual lives through both formal and informal practices. Activities to promote spiritual growth and development will include a retreat, an international experience and local activities.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this program, graduates will be prepared to teach by example in Catholic school classrooms by:
We assist the students in learning culturally responsive inclusive pedagogy that integrates Catholic school mission and values.
We support spiritual development of our Fellows through the day of reflection, spiritual retreats, and spiritual conversations with the USD Ministry.
We develop community relationships with the students, families, teachers, principals, and schools to ensure the educational experience is faith and mission based while supporting collaboration, best practice, and cultural reciprocity skills.
We develop community relationships with the students, families, teachers, principals, and schools to ensure the educational experience is faith and mission based while supporting collaboration, best practice, and cultural reciprocity skills.
We build leadership capacity through the lens of social justice, diversity, and inclusion.
We meet the needs of the state requirements for a Dual Credential (education specialist and multiple or single subject).
ACT Fellows earn a Masters in Education through completion of the program including a capstone research project that supports innovation within Catholic schools.
ACT Fellows observe and support instruction in the classroom of a cooperating teacher in public schools.
We support the development of professionalism. Candidates are expected to be dependable, prompt, respectful, dress in a professional manner, and keep confidential private information about students and staff members.
While in the classroom, candidates are expected to confer regularly with the On-Site Support Provider (principal/mentor teacher), work closely with students, ask questions, keep all required.
Who is the
Academy of Catholic Teaching for?
ACT San Diego is intended for…
Catholic School Communities
New Teachers
Graduate Students in Education
Aspiring Catholic School Educators
Individuals Committed to Faith-Based Education
Financing Your Education
At University of San Diego, all students have a right to an education, regardless of income. The majority of students receive some form of financial assistance through scholarships, grants, loans and employment.
The tuition rate is for the 2026–2027 academic year. The teacher education program offers a lower tuition rate compared to other graduate programs at USD. Please not that tuition and fees are subject to change.
47
Units
$933
Tuition per unit
$43,851
Estimated total tuition
Financial Aid
In addition to external funding resources, students at SOLES may be eligible for various forms of financial assistance, including scholarships, grants, fellowships, and discounts.
Careers in Catholic Education
ACT prepares students to pursue a variety of career paths within Catholic education. Some of the roles that graduates choose to pursue include:
Note: Salary estimates sourced from ziprecruiter.com and indeed.com in January 2025. Estimates are subject to change over time based on updates to available data.
Our Alumni
ACT graduates go on to fulfilling careers in Catholic education.
OUR ALUMNI WORK OR HAVE WORKED FOR:
Questions?
Connect with SOLES admissions
You can connect with the SOLES Admissions and Outreach team in a number of ways for more information about our degree programs and certificates