In California, undergraduate students who wish to become teachers do not major in education. Rather, they pursue a bachelor's degree in a subject that interests them (usually one that they both enjoy and wish to teach), and later, on a postbaccalaureate basis, they complete courses prescribed for a credential program. For example, if you wish to teach math at the intermediate or senior high school level, it would be advisable to major in mathematics at UCI, with a specialization in Mathematics for High School Teaching. If on the other hand, you are interested in teaching at the elementary school level, you could choose any undergraduate major that you enjoy. Since elementary school teachers usually teach all general subjects, you should choose a major that offers a broad spectrum of courses.

Credential Programs

* Multiple Subject Credential --
This enables teachers to be assigned to elementary schools, where teachers usually teach all-subjects in the curriculum.

* Single Subject Credential --
This enables teachers to work in specific subject areas (e.g., art, English, languages other than English, life science, mathematics, music, physical science, and social science), typically at the intermediate or senior high school level.

Master of Arts in Teaching
The Department of Education offers a 15-month Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree program of full-time study that is designed for candidates with a baccalaureate degree who wish to earn a teaching credential in conjunction with an advanced degree. The M.A.T. program consists of a one-year credential program and six additional courses taken during the summers before and after the credential program. It combines theoretically based research with models of leadership and curriculum, assessment and evaluation of learning, and development of electronic portfolios.

M.A.T. Admission Requirements:
In addition to the credential program admission requirements, the application process for the M.A.T. requires official GRE scores, supplemental application and passage of all subject-matter exams or completion of an approved subject-matter preparation program. Note: Single subject M.A.T. candidates must also have a major in the subject area that they will be teaching in order to participate in the M.A.T. program.

Student Teaching and Intern Programs
Successful teacher training not only requires course work in teaching methodologies and strategies, but involves training in the classroom as well. UCI's Department of Education has created student teaching opportunities throughout the Orange County public school system, and cooperating school districts often have several student teachers or interns assigned to them. The professional staff at each school works with the student teacher or intern to provide a realistic learning experience. A two-way process takes place in which the schools demonstrate effective and innovative teaching procedures, and UCI faculty and students provide new viewpoints reflecting recent research in both teaching and learning.

Students in the UCI Student Teaching Program complete two quarters of classroom work in K-12 sites. For Single Subject student teachers, this is defined as a full-day, five-days-per-week assignment for 18 weeks (or the equivalent) in an appropriate classroom setting. Multiple Subject student teachers are assigned in elementary schools for four full days per week during the winter quarter and five full days per week during the spring quarter.

Additionally, the Student Teaching program requires the Crosscultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD) emphasis and the Bilingual Crosscultural Language and Academic Development (BCLAD) emphasis in Spanish. Single Subject and Multiple Subject teachers who hold CLAD or BCLAD emphases are authorized to serve California's growing numbers of English Language Development (ELD) students.

Intern Program students have one year of classroom experience and earn a stipend while completing the Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential. The stipend is paid by the school district that selects the intern, and the Department.

Admission Requirements for the Credential Programs
Students who wish to enter the credential programs apply through the UCI Office of Graduate Studies. Among the admission criteria are a baccalaureate degree, an undergraduate grade point average of at least a B (3.0), three letters of recommendation, related field experience, and passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). Successful completion of the appropriate Praxis II and/or the Single Subject Assessment for Teaching (SSAT) exams, or an approved subject matter preparation program, will enhance your application and is required prior to student teaching. The Education 173 course (Learning Theory and Classroom Practices) and Education 124 (Multicultural Education in K-12 Schools) course are prerequisites.

Educational Studies Minor

Programs for Prospective Math/Science Teachers

Subject Matter Preparation Programs

Tutoring and Teacher Aiding

Teachers of Tomorrow Club

Resources

Through community contacts, student teaching, and internships, UCI faculty and students contribute knowledge and provide leadership to schools using technology in restructuring teaching and learning in the twenty-first century.

Financial Support

Additional Information