Requirements
The Credential
Students pursuing a credential must conform to all policies
and regulations contained in the sections of this catalog pertaining to
the credential programs. Before applying to credentialing agencies,
students must complete all requirements specified in the subsequent
curriculum section of this catalog. Students are responsible for being
informed of all current agency regulations pertaining to the
credentials. The University and the School of Education reserve the
right to modify the program to meet accreditation requirements such as
those of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Overview
The Teacher Education programs lead to Preliminary Multiple
Subject and Single Subject teaching credentials with an optional
Bilingual Authorization in Spanish.
All credential programs are pursued concurrently with a
master's degree. Teaching credentials students may enroll for any of
the six M.A. degrees offered by the following departments/programs of
the School of Education: the Master of Arts in Teaching, the Master of
Arts in Teaching Urban Education and Social Justice, or the Master of
Arts in Teaching Reading (with the CTC Reading Certificate) offered by
the Teacher Education Department; the Master of Arts in Catholic School
Teaching offered by the Catholic Educational Leadership Department; or
the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages offered by
the International and Multicultural Education department. Some courses
taken as part of the credential program may be counted toward these
degrees. See the appropriate sections of this catalog or contact the
departments directly for additional information.
All of the Teacher Education programs are characterized by
three principles derived from the special mission of this Jesuit
university: first, philosophical inquiry into educational problems
addressed through dialogue and reflection; second, a commitment to
social justice in education; and third, attention to the individual
developmental needs of children and adolescents. We believe that caring
educational practitioners concern themselves with the unique qualities
and needs of the individuals they serve.
Students are admitted in both Fall and Spring semesters. The
number each semester is kept small to enable us to provide the kind of
education necessary to prepare thoughtful, caring educators. Program
graduates often go on to assume leadership positions in schools
throughout the region due to the quality and character of our programs,
the working relationship we are able to establish with our students, and
the excellent caliber of our candidates.
For more information about the Teacher Education department
and its programs, please visit:
http://www.usfca.edu/soe/programs/ted/
Credential Programs
The Preliminary Multiple and Single Subject, with the
optional Bilingual Authorization, teaching credential programs are fully approved
by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the
Committee on Accreditation (COA). We are thereby authorized to recommend
program graduates to the CTC, which is the state agency responsible for
granting credentials.
All credential candidates are required to take the following
Teacher Education program (TEC) courses:
- TEC - 600 Teaching, Learning and Technology
- TEC - 610 Learning and Teaching
- TEC - 611 Education of Bilingual Children: Theory and
Practice
- TEC - 618 Teaching for Diversity & Social Justice
- TEC - 642 Health Education
- TEC - 643 Education of Exceptional Children
Candidates for the Preliminary Multiple Subject credential
also take the following courses in Teacher Education (TEC):
- TEC - 612 Multiple Subject Curriculum and
Instruction: Reading & Language Arts in the Intermediate Grades
- TEC - 613 Multiple Subject Curriculum and
Instruction: Math & Science
- TEC - 621 Multiple Subject Curriculum and
Instruction: Early Literacy
- TEC - 630 Multiple Subject Curriculum and
Instruction: Social Studies
- TEC - 616 Multiple Subject Student Teaching I -
Fieldwork
- TEC - 605 Multiple Subject Student Teaching II -
Fieldwork
- TEC - 606 Multiple Subject Student Teaching III -
Fieldwork OR
- TEC - 607 Multiple Subject Student Teaching III - Bilingual Authorization
Candidates for the Preliminary Single Subject credential
take the following additional courses in Teacher Education (TEC):
- TEC - 622 Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction:
Academic Literacy
- TEC - 625 Teaching Adolescents
- TEC - 660 Single Subject Student Teaching I -
Fieldwork
- TEC - 655 Single Subject Student Teaching II -
Fieldwork
- TEC - 656 Single Subject Student Teaching III -
Fieldwork Or
- TEC - 657 Single Subject Student Teaching III - Bilingual Authorization
and one from the following:
- TEC - 615 Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction:
Math & Science
- TEC - 617 Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction:
Teaching Field
- TEC - 628 Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction:
English
- TEC - 629 Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction:
Social Science
A total of 36 units is required to complete the Preliminary
Multiple Subject credential. A total of 34 units is required to
complete the Preliminary Single Subject credential.
The Bilingual Authorization in Spanish is open to candidates who
satisfy language proficiency requirements. Students must demonstrate
satisfactory language proficiency competence prior to enrolling in Bilingual Authorization
courses. In addition, written and oral knowledge of Spanish at an FSI
Level 3 ("Able to speak, read, and write in the language with sufficient
structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate in most formal and
informal communications on practical, social, and professional topics")
or its equivalent, must be demonstrated prior to Student Teaching II and
III.
Bilingual Authorization candidates are required to take two courses in
addition to their preliminary credential program prior to or
concurrently with Student Teaching III: TEC - 635 Language and Culture of Emphasis: Spanish and TEC - 636 Methods and Materials in the Language of Emphasis: Spanish.
Candidates will then complete a student teaching placement
in a bilingual classroom (TEC 607/657, Student Teaching III-Bilingual Authorization).
In addition to satisfying course requirements, candidates
for all credential programs must satisfy several additional requirements
set by the CTC prior to admission. Program applicants are required to
meet the California basic skills requirement. Single Subject candidates
typically meet this requirement by presenting passing scores on the
California Basic Skills Test (CBEST) prior to admission. Multiple
Subjects candidates can meet the basic skills requirement by presenting
passing scores on the CBEST, or by presenting passing scores on the
Multiple Subjects California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) and
the Writing Skills Test portion of the CSET. The Commission has
approved several other options for meeting the basic skills requirement.
The most current information on these additional options can be found
at the Commission's web site.
Candidates must also satisfy CTC standards concerning
subject matter competence prior to admission. Single Subject Credential
Candidates may satisfy these requirements through completion of a CTC
approved subject matter preparation program or by passing the
appropriate subject matter examination (CSET). Multiple Subject
Credential Candidates must pass the Multiple Subject CSET.
In addition, candidates must submit evidence of a negative
tuberculin test and a CTC Certificate of Clearance verifying a
non-criminal record prior to census date in their first semester.
Prior to recommendation for the credential, candidates must
demonstrate knowledge of the provisions and principles of the U.S.
Constitution. This requirement may be met by submitting transcripts of
an undergraduate academic record that indicate a passing grade in a
state-approved course in American history or government or by passing an
examination offered by the School of Education. All credential
candidates must also successfully complete CPR training leading to a
certificate in infant, child, and adult CPR. Multiple Subject Candidates
must also pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
Master's/Certificate Programs
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a direct extension
of the credential programs. It prepares candidates who may be interested
in assuming non-administrative leadership roles in schools by providing
special preparation in conducting and evaluating educational research,
especially in school settings, and/or in designing, developing and
evaluating instructional or related materials for schools. The program
consists of 30 units, up to 24 of which may be counted from credential
coursework for which a grade of B or better was earned. There are two
required courses:
- TEC - 673 Curriculum: Currents and Controversies
and
- TEC - 674 Curriculum Development and Design
DDTP candidates are required to complete GEDU - 603 Methods of Educational Research and TEC - 619 MA Thesis/Field Project
To meet the growing need for teachers with special training
in teaching reading, the Teacher Education program offers a Master of
Arts in Teaching Reading (with CTC Reading Certificate). The cohort
program is designed to enable teachers to assess student reading and
provide reading instruction in response to those assessments; develop,
implement and adapt reading curriculum and instruction; assist classroom
teachers in the prevention and intervention of reading difficulties;
and serve at one or more school sites at the grade levels authorized by
their prerequisite teaching credential.
At the present time, sixteen (16) units of coursework beyond
the required credential courses must be completed. The courses are:
- TEC - 661 Assessment and Intervention with Struggling
Readers
- TEC - 662 Tutoring Practicum: Primary Level
- TEC - 663 Tutoring Practicum: Intermediate Level
- TEC - 664 Developing Fluent Readers
- TEC - 668 Teaching Comprehension Strategies
- TEC - 670 Issues in Reading Research: Theories and
Practice
- TEC - 671 Reading Practicum: Supervised Field
Experiences
The Master of Arts in Teaching Urban Education and Social
Justice (UESJ) is designed to prepare candidates to teach K-12 students
in urban schools. This degree program focuses on issues of diversity
and equity with the specific aim of helping candidates practice
transformative teaching. Students in the UESJ cohort enroll in special
Saturday sections of two credential courses: TEC 618 Teaching for
Diversity and Social Justice (Fall semesters) and TEC 611 Education of
Bilingual Children (Spring semesters). In addition to the Teacher
Education credential coursework, students enroll in two post-credential
courses, Critical Pedagogy and Cultural Studies in Urban Education
(Fall) and Action Research and Service Learning for Urban Teachers
(Spring), to fulfill requirements.
