Teaching Programs in California
Teaching is a tough job, but one that often comes with very high job satisfaction. Helping kids learn and grow is incredibly rewarding, but you have to learn how to help them on their educational journey, first.
To do that, you can earn your teaching degree online in California! The Golden State has an extensive network of public and private colleges and universities with excellent teacher education programs. By choosing an online degree, you can complete your classroom studies remotely and still get face-to-face experience in student teaching in a school near where you live.
The question is, which online program should you choose? Below are some of the popular options worth your consideration!
Online Teaching Degrees in California
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online teaching degrees in California:
- California Baptist University
- National University
- San Diego State University
- University of San Diego
- University of Southern California
- Pepperdine University
- Purdue Global
- American Public University
- Grand Canyon University
California Baptist University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies
At California Baptist University, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies that prepares you to work in environments like preschools and childcare centers. The program typically requires four years to complete, though you can change this timeline based on your specific needs. On the one hand, you can take extra classes each semester to graduate sooner. On the other hand, you can study part-time and graduate in five or six years if your current work and life obligations prevent you from studying full-time.
Once you’re admitted to the program, you’ll first need to complete general education requirements. These requirements run the gamut from math and English composition to civics and the natural sciences. You’re also required to take courses that focus on creativity (e.g., music, graphic design, photography), culture (e.g., film, philosophy, or a foreign language), and personal development (e.g., intercultural perspectives, leadership, or kinesiology). In all, you must complete 40-45 general education credits.
Next, you’ll work on the major-area courses in early childhood studies. Many of these courses focus on child development. For example, you’ll take an Infant, Toddler, and Early Childhood Cognitive Development class that focuses on the processes of attention, perception, thought, and problem-solving in young children. You’ll learn about the advantages of active learning in an early childhood setting, as well as the theoretical models that explain how young children acquire new knowledge.
As another example, you’ll take Infant, Toddler, and Early Childhood Perception and Motor Development. This course explores the processes by which children gain motor skills through active learning. You’ll examine the concepts of perception and movement, and gain an understanding of how every learning experience in an early childhood setting can have a lasting impact on the child’s development.
Several courses focus on working with children with disabilities, too. For example, you’ll learn how to use basic assessment procedures and instruments for evaluating children for developmental disabilities. You’ll also learn how to use the information generated from these instruments to develop curriculum activities for children with differing abilities.
Likewise, you’ll learn about the characteristics of ideal learning environments for disabled children. You’ll examine learning in school and home environments, residential programs, hospitals, and so forth. The purpose of this is to help you acquire the skills needed to plan curricular activities for children who may not always be able to participate in school in a traditional school environment.
Other required coursework includes the following:
- Spiritual Development in Young Children
- Consult and Collaboration in Early Child Interventions
- Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Child Disabilities
- Research Seminar in Early Child Interventions
- Administration of Early Childhood Programs
Furthermore, you’re required to take one of the two following classes: STEM Integrated with the Arts or Early Childhood Curriculum. The former explores the theory and practice of STEM integration. The latter takes a broader look at curriculum development, including planning and executing developmentally appropriate activities and evaluating the success of those activities. You must also take six units of Christian Studies courses to complete this program.
The following requirements must be met to be considered for admission as a first-year student:
- Complete the application linked above. There is no application fee.
- Have a high school diploma.
- Submit official high school transcripts showing a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
National University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Social Science
The Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from National University has an emphasis on teaching and learning in a single subject. By completing this degree, you’ll be prepared for a career teaching social studies at the middle school or high school level in the state of California, as the program leads to a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential.
This program requires you to complete 180 quarter credits to graduate, which typically requires four years of full-time studies. During that time, you’ll complete general coursework, major coursework, and teacher education coursework as well.
As described earlier, the general education requirements include studies in a broad range of fields, from math to science to social science and more. Once you complete your general courses, you can move on to study major-area topics, like U.S. History I and II, World Civilizations I and II, and Introduction to Politics. Other foundational courses for the major include the following:
- American Politics
- Geography
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Principles of Microeconomics
Then, you’ll complete upper-level studies that explore specific social science fields. For example, you’ll take a course entitled The Ancient World, which examines human history from 10,000 B.C.E. to 500 B.C.E. This includes the development of agriculture and complex societies across the globe as well as the formation of the Aegean civilization in the Mediterranean area.
Another upper-level course you’re required to take is the Modern World – 1500-Present. This course explores how the world has changed over the last 700+ years. You’ll study the colonial expansion period, the Industrial Revolution, global wards, and the post-Cold War world, too.
Additional studies in this part of the program focus on the following:
- American Colonial Experience
- Historical Theories and Methods
- U.S. Between Wars, 1865-1917
- U.S. Since World War I
- California History
You must also complete a detailed capstone research project in which you compose a research paper that deepens your historical understanding of a specific historical topic.
The teacher education component of the program begins with foundational courses that teach you about the context of the American educational system. You’ll explore various factors that influence a child’s learning, including social, psychological, and economic forces. You’ll also learn key learning theories, factors of human development, and how to take those factors into consideration when planning lessons and teaching.
Other teacher education courses focus on critical topics like literacy, language development, and integrated design. You’ll learn how to design short-term and long-term curricula, how to align instruction and assessments with content standards, and how to use evidence-based approaches to apply California Common Core standards in the classroom.
The final component of this program is the student teaching experience. This experience will take place in a K-12 classroom in an approved school. You must complete at least 600 instructional hours during your placement, which requires 16-18 weeks of full-time student teaching. You’ll complete this requirement under the guidance of a veteran teacher.
You can apply to this program online. Ensure you meet the following requirements before applying:
- Complete the application linked above. There is no application fee.
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
National University streamlines the application process by allowing you to apply at any time during the year. When you apply, the university’s admissions team will guide you through the process to ensure you can enroll as quickly as possible.
San Diego State University
Online Master of Arts in Teaching
The Master of Arts in Teaching from San Diego State University is a one-year program focusing on Elementary and Secondary Education. You need to complete just 30 units of study, which equates to 10 courses, to graduate. However, if you completed a postgraduate teaching credential from an accredited college or university in the last five years, the number of credits needed to graduate can be as low as 24.
This program focuses on inquiry-based education. You’ll learn advanced skills for leading your classroom, including using research-based methods for devising your curricular activities. The program also focuses on diversity and inclusion, such that you can build a classroom environment that is accepting of all students.
The coursework covers a variety of topics in education. On the one hand, you’ll take a course on Measuring and Assessing Student Achievement in Schools, which helps you learn how to develop improved assessments for your students. Likewise, this course utilizes a sociopolitical lens to understand how these factors influence the use and interpretation of assessments.
On the other hand, you’ll take classes like Technology Equity in K12 Learning Communities. As the name indicates, this course examines methods and practices that improve access to modern technology for children in elementary, middle, and high school.
Other courses explore topics like Teaching Critical Thinking Using Technology, Research-Based Pedagogy for Diverse Learners, and Teaching Online. Additionally, you’ll take an Inclusive Education course that analyzes the theory and practice of inclusivity in the classroom. You’ll learn about the politics of disability and how that plays out in the classroom and society at large.
The required Curriculum Development in Education course is another interesting line of study. You’ll build on your existing curriculum development skills by gaining advanced skills necessary to construct well-researched, engaging lessons. You’ll also learn strategies for evaluating the curricula you develop for efficacy.
A capstone course is also required to complete this degree. Throughout the program, you’ll work on projects that improve your in-classroom teaching abilities. The capstone seeks to synthesize that learning. You’ll examine and develop activities for your classroom that are grounded in social justice and use the research you completed for these activities as the basis for your capstone.
This program is specifically designed for practicing teachers. It’s flexible, completely online, and available to you no matter where you live in the U.S. Furthermore, the program begins in the summer, so you can start the program during your summer break. The program continues through the fall and following spring as well.
Applications for admissions are accepted beginning October 1st for entrance to the program the following summer. The program is highly competitive and has a limited number of spaces, so it’s highly recommended that you apply as early in the application window as possible. The application criteria are as follows:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Priority is given to applicants who are current teacher credentialing candidates or recent graduates of San Diego State University.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Submit proof of English proficiency if it is not your native language.
University of San Diego
Online Master of Education
The University of San Diego’s Master of Education is another accelerated graduate program you might consider. The program requires you to complete 30 units, which can be done in about 20 months of online study. During your time in the program, you’ll learn how to implement 21st-century skills in the classroom, improve students’ desire for inquiry, and focus on equity and social justice in schools, too.
This program is specifically designed for practicing teachers at the elementary, middle, or high school levels. You must have at least two years of experience as a teacher to apply. What’s more, your experience must be in many different classroom settings, ranging from public and private schools to charter schools to non-traditional schools.
One of the specializations available in this program is STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). Focusing on this specialization will help you develop the competency necessary to integrate project-based learning across all these disciplines in your classroom. Not only does this type of learning align with cutting-edge educational standards, but it also helps enrich the learning environment for kids and helps them engage more in what they’re learning.
The curriculum includes basic and advanced courses in teacher education. For example, a Basic course is Social Justice and Education Equity. This class analyzes the U.S. educational system and its successes and failures when it comes to diversity, social justice, and inequity. You’ll look at historical case studies relating to these topics as well as analyze modern practices to explore the ideal construction of an educational system to address the needs of all students regardless of their background or life experience.
A more advanced class is Engineering Design Process in Math and Science Education. This course investigates the engineering design process in both concept and real-world applications. In fact, you’ll learn how to use NASA’s Beginning Engineering, Science, and Technology (BEST) program to help students be more engaged in the learning process.
Another advanced course you’re required to take is STEAM and Special Student Populations. The focus of this class is on addressing inequalities in STEAM education based on race, gender, language, or special needs. You’ll learn about contemporary solutions to this problem while also examining specific methodologies you can integrate into your classroom to improve educational outcomes for each student.
Other required courses include the following:
- Educational Research Methodology
- Artistic Modeling and Representation in Science and Math
- Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
- Changemaking With Technology
- Creativity and Innovation in STEAM
This program also requires you to complete a capstone seminar. As the final course in the program, you’ll use this time to review what you’ve learned in previous courses. You’ll then integrate that learning into an action research project of your choice. It’s recommended you choose a project that you can implement in your own classroom and that’s responsive to the needs of your specific students.
The following criteria must be met to be considered for admission:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Have two years of prior teaching experience.
- Submit a professional resume.
- Provide two letters of recommendation from two references who can speak to your academic and/or professional qualities.
- Provide two 500-word essays on topics determined by the department.
- Participate in a personal phone interview.
What are the Requirements to Become a Certified Teacher in California?
In California, you can obtain teaching certification through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Initially, you’ll apply for a five-year preliminary credential. This credential is non-renewable and allows you to work in the state’s public schools. During this time, you should focus on improving your skills to qualify for a clear credential. If you are licensed in another state, you may be eligible for a reciprocal license.
To become a teacher in public schools in California, you must first obtain licensure. The information provided below specifically relates to teaching requirements in California:
- Get a bachelor’s degree
- Complete 600 hours of student teaching
- Pass a background check
- Take the required exams
- Apply for certification
Get a Bachelor’s Degree
To become a teacher in California, you must earn an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
If you plan to teach at the elementary school level, you’ll need a multiple subject (elementary) teaching credential. To qualify for this credential, you must have a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies or another subject that includes education-related courses such as child development, teaching methods, and curriculum design.
If you wish to teach in middle school or higher grades, you’ll need a single-subject (secondary) teaching credential. This requires you to have a bachelor’s degree in the subject you want to teach — such as English, math, science, social science, or a foreign language — along with completion of a teacher preparation program that includes education-specific coursework.
Complete 600 Hours of Student Teaching
In addition to earning a bachelor’s degree and completing a teacher preparation program, you are required to complete a student teaching or internship experience and pass the necessary state exams to obtain a teaching credential in California. To teach at the elementary level, you must complete at least 600 hours of student teaching, which usually takes place over an entire school year.
During your student teaching experience, you’ll work closely with a mentor teacher to develop and implement lesson plans, manage classroom behavior, evaluate student progress, and gain hands-on classroom experience that will prepare you to lead your own classroom.
You’ll also have the chance to observe and learn from experienced teachers, collaborate with other educators, and gain insights into the daily challenges and rewards of teaching.
Pass a Background Check
In California, all individuals who wish to enter the teaching profession are required to pass a background check as part of the credentialing process. This requirement is standard in most states and is designed to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
The background check is conducted by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ will carry out a fingerprint-based criminal history check, which includes a review of state and federal criminal records as well as records of child abuse and neglect.
If the background check reveals any criminal history or other concerns, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing will review the information and make a decision regarding your eligibility for a teaching credential. Certain types of criminal history may disqualify you from obtaining a teaching credential in California.
Take the Required Exams
To obtain a teaching license in California, you must pass a series of exams that assess your knowledge and skills in key areas related to teaching. The specific exams you are required to take depend on the type of teaching credential you are seeking.
For a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, you must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) as well as the Multiple Subject Teaching Examination (MSTE).
For a Single Subject Teaching Credential, you must pass the CBEST and the appropriate California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) for the subject you’ll be teaching.
In addition to the exams required for your initial teaching credential, you may also be required to pass additional exams throughout your career. For example, if you want to add a subject area to your existing Single Subject Teaching Credential, you’ll need to pass the appropriate CSET exam for that subject.
Apply for Certification
After you meet the requirements for teaching certification in California, you must complete the application process. If you are enrolled in an approved teacher preparation program in the state, your program will handle the process for you.
Once you meet the program’s requirements, the program will submit a recommendation for your certification. The Commission on Teacher Credentialing typically processes these recommendations within ten business days.
In other cases, you’ll need to submit a paper application. This is necessary if you have an out-of-state license, private school experience, or preparation outside the U.S. Paper applications are also used to add a new teaching authorization to your credential or to apply for English learner authorization. Processing these paper applications can take up to 50 business days.
How Do You Maintain and Renew Teaching Certification in California?
California differs from some other states in how you maintain a teaching certification. Initially, you’ll receive a preliminary credential that is valid for five years. As mentioned above, this credential requires a bachelor’s degree, basic skills competency, subject-matter competency, and the other requirements mentioned earlier.
At the end of the five-year period, you must obtain a clear credential. You can achieve this in two ways. First, you can complete a teacher induction program. This two-year program offers support and mentoring for new teachers. Second, you can complete the requirements for National Board of Professional Teaching Standards certification if you hold a preliminary credential.
Once you have a clear credential, you can renew it online without the need for additional continuing education, service, or coursework requirements.
Can I Teach in California Without Certification?
Most teaching positions in California require you to have certification. However, you can still find opportunities in education that do not require a formal teaching license. Some private schools hire teachers who do not hold a state-issued teaching credential.
Additionally, certain teaching roles offer alternative certification options. For instance, if you are pursuing a career as a technical educator, you can apply for a separate license that does not require formal teacher training for your initial certification.
How Quickly Can You Get a Teaching Credential in California?
How quickly you can obtain a teaching credential in California depends on several factors. If you have already completed a bachelor’s degree and a teacher preparation program, it can take several months to complete the remaining requirements such as student teaching, passing the necessary exams, and submitting your application.
Typically, it takes about 1-2 years to earn a teaching credential in California if you are starting from the beginning of the process (i.e. after earning your bachelor’s degree).