The Master of Arts in Teaching prepares students to become educators who want to shape the future of California’s youth, families, and communities by becoming an influential elementary, middle, or high school teacher. The MA Teaching program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is specifically designed to prepare educators to meet the needs of California’s diverse student population, emphasizing language development, cultural diversity, and humanistic approaches to the learning process.

Teaching Curriculum

Students enrolled in the MA Teaching program complete 45 total units: 33 units of credential coursework and 12 units of advanced coursework. MA Teaching students can expect to complete their degree in 2 to 3.5 years. For the advanced courses, students may select a concentration that is relevant to their professional goals:

1. Teaching and Learning—2 years
2. Educational Technology—2 years
3. Teacher Leadership—2 years
4. Inclusive Education—2 years
5. Child Development—2 years
6. Teaching and Learning: Bilingual Emphasis—2 years

Learn more about the MA Teaching program options.

Teaching Credential Program Accreditation

Recognized as an innovator in the development of leaders, care professionals, and educators in Southern California, the LaFetra College of Education has received state (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing) accreditation.

Credential Options

Students in the MA Teaching program can earn either a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, a Single Subject Teaching Credential, a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Preliminary Credential, or a Dual Credential. All of the credential options allow you to teach in California’s public schools.

• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential allows graduates to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom, such as in kindergarten or most elementary schools.
• Single Subject Teaching Credential allows graduates to teach a specific subject in departmentalized classes, such as those in most middle schools and high schools.
• Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Preliminary Credential authorizes graduates to teach learners with mild/moderate special education needs, in particular, but not exclusive to students with learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, mild intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injury, other health impaired and Autism Spectrum disorders.
• Dual Credential option allows graduates to complete both the Mild/Moderate Education Specialist Preliminary Credential and the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential at the same time.

Enhanced Intern Credential

After completing the first semester of courses and other prerequisites, students will be eligible to apply for an Enhanced Intern Credential—a temporary credential that allows them to work as a paid intern in a public school while they finish their teaching credential.

Bilingual Added Authorization in Spanish

The University of La Verne is now offering a Bilingual Added Authorization in Spanish that will allow graduates to work in dual immersion classrooms. This authorization is available with the Multiple Subject Teaching, Single Subject Teaching, and Mild/Moderate Education Specialist credentials. Spanish language proficiency will be required.

Faculty

The ideal graduate program will have faculty with relevant expertise in the field and who’ve worked in the kinds of places graduates want to work. Our faculty can prepare students to take the next step in their career and education.

Fieldwork and Student Teaching

The MA Teaching degree program requires supervised fieldwork and student teaching across all courses. Student teaching is designed to allow educators-in-training to practice and refine their teaching skills in the classroom environment. Student teachers work closely with experienced educators, shadowing their mentors and immersing themselves in the classroom environment in order to promote student learning in their own career. University of La Verne has partnerships with more than 200 school districts, and our Clinical Teaching Office places students at local school sites for supervised fieldwork and student teaching. Explore all the resources available for students completing the clinical teaching requirement.