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  • Master of Arts in Education
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Master of Arts in Education with Teaching Credential

Pepperdine has structured course work to facilitate the accomplishment of a master of arts degree in conjunction with a teaching credential. Students pursuing this option may complete their M.A. and credential in as little as three terms. Because most of the courses required for the credentials can be applied to the master's, a combination M.A. and teaching credential can be earned with minimal additional courses.

Teaching Credential Programs

All teaching credential programs and the Master of Arts in Education are offered at the West Los Angeles, Encino, Irvine, and Westlake Village Graduate Campuses.

All students entering the credential program or master of arts programs are required to have home access to the Internet and a personal, online e-mail address. Special classes in basic Internet use are available free of charge through the Client Services computing center at each campus. In addition, all new students in the Master of Arts in Education and Teaching Credential programs are required to attend the Technology Orientation Camp© as part of their new student orientation at each campus. Special computer and software packages are available to full-time students through the Pepperdine University Technology Resource Center.

Effective fall 2003, Pepperdine University's program reflects State Senate Bill 2042 that creates an induction phase in which teachers work in a school district under their preliminary credential for a period of time before receiving the professional credential. The induction phase allows the application of theory and teaching methods learned in the university teacher preparation program. For updates see the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing at http://www.ctc.ca.gov. Students enrolled in the SB2042 teacher preparation program (admitted fall 2003 or after) must complete all course work in residence. No waiver or transfer credits will be allowed.

GSEP does not offer a program for the professional clear credential. Those earning preliminary SB2042 teaching credentials will be required to participate in an induction program through a school district or complete specific advanced level course work at a university while teaching in a classroom.

Multiple Subject Credential

The multiple subject teaching credential is generally considered to be an elementary school credential, most applicable to kindergarten and grades 1 through 6, where traditionally one classroom teacher is responsible for multiple subjects in the curriculum. Nevertheless, this credential entitles the holder to teach a self-contained program, individually or as part of a teaching team, from preschool through grade 12.

Multiple subject credential candidates must establish subject matter competence in the broad range of school curricula and teaching topics by passing the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), which is offered regularly throughout the region by National Evaluation Systems, Inc. Students must have established subject matter competence before they may enroll in EDTC 680 or EDTC 681. This is a state requirement and cannot be waived. Other qualifications may need to be met through course work and/or tests. Students may discuss additional requirements with a program administrator.

Single Subject Credential

Single subject credential candidates may teach a single subject, specified on the credential, from preschool through grade 12. However, this credential is generally recognized most appropriate for the middle and secondary school, grades 7 through 12.

Single subject credential candidates must establish subject matter competence in their chosen field in one of two ways. First, students may obtain a subject matter competency statement from the approved California undergraduate program from which they obtained their bachelor's degree. The second and more common path is to take and pass the CSET as appropriate to the content area. Bulletins for all competency tests are available at the various campuses. Students must have established subject matter competency before they may enroll in EDTC 683 or EDTC 684. This is a state requirement and cannot be waived. Other qualifications may need to be met through course work and/or tests. Students may discuss additional requirements with a program administrator.

English Learner Authorization (ELA)

As is reflected in the public schools, California is an ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse state. Pepperdine values the state's eclectic student population and believes it is critical that teachers understand the implications of diversity on teaching and learning. EL Authorization equips teachers to specialize their instruction in English for students who are not native-English speakers and who are limited in their English language proficiency. Teachers with ELA preparation are skilled in English Language Development (ELD) and Specially Designed Academic Instruction Delivered in English (SDAIE).

Credential candidates entering Pepperdine University's teacher preparation program will pursue an EL Authorization as part of their credential as indicated in Assembly Bill 1059, and required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Professional Clear Teaching Credential

GSEP does not offer a program for professional clear credentials for multiple subject and/or single subject teaching credential holders.

Those who have earned the SB2042 Preliminary Multiple- or Single- Subject Teaching Credential will be required to participate in an induction program at the school district where they are employed to earn the professional clear credential.

Student Teaching Policy for Full-Time Employed Teachers in Public or Private School (K-12) - Pepperdine Alternative Credential Candidate Program (PACCP)

The Graduate School of Education and Psychology Teaching Credential program has established the following policies regarding student teaching for full-time teachers currently under a district contract on an emergency permit or similar certification or under contract in a private school:

Public School Full-Time Teachers

The Graduate School of Education and Psychology field personnel,
in conjunction with school/district personnel at the school site, supervise up to two student teaching assignments at the public school where the teacher is working on contract basis in the grades and subjects appropriate to the multiple- or single-subject credential sought. Pepperdine's field supervisor and district personnel at the school site work together to provide supervision for the teacher in the classroom. Students pay for a four-unit assignment for each of three phases of student teaching.

Private School Full-Time Teachers

The Graduate School of Education and Psychology field personnel,
in conjunction with private school personnel at the school site, supervise the first two student teaching assignments at the private school where the teacher is working on contract basis in the grades and subjects appropriate to the multiple- or single-subject credential sought. Prior to acceptance for student teaching assignments, private schools must be reviewed and approved for accreditation and evidence of implementing a California Department of Education approved California Standards-based curriculum. Pepperdine's field supervisor and school personnel at the school site work together to provide supervision for the teacher in the classroom. Students pay for a four-unit assignment for each of three phases of student teaching. The last assignment of student teaching must be completed in a public school. For this purpose, summer (July-August) placements in public schools are reserved for private school personnel.

Requirements for Those Currently Teaching in a Public or Private School:

1. Acceptance to the single- or multiple-subject credential program.
2. PACCP application for admittance into student teaching prior to the established deadline for each term. All candidates must meet the existing eligibility requirements for the program.
3. Prior to the second student teaching assignment, the teacher must pass the CBEST and CSET (as appropriate to content area). Completion of a subject matter competence-waived program is also accepted in lieu of the CSET for single subject credential candidates only.
4. Student Teaching Clearance: Certificate of Clearance (including Live Scan), freedom from tuberculosis verification, and approved exemption as applicable and described in #5 below.
5. Exemption may be given, based on classroom experience, for the first assignment of student teaching. Students should refer to the credential candidate section of their GSEP Student Handbook for eligibility.

Click on the button below to download a program brochure for The MA in Education with California Teaching Credential

TEACH California

In an ongoing effort to address the teacher shortage problem that California is facing, the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology is in partnership with TEACH California.

TEACH California provides you with the information you need in order to become a credentialed teacher in the state of California. Their Web site is designed to provide additional answers your questions regarding the requirements for becoming a teacher, locating financial aid, finding schools and school districts, and securing a job teaching upon the completion of earning your credential.

California continues to face a teacher shortage, and special education teachers, science teachers, and math teachers are in most demand. We hope the TEACH California Web site can help fill that need by providing you with additional answers to your critical questions. You can visit them on the web at http://www.teachcalifornia.org/