Graduate M.Ed./Single Subject Credential Program

The M.Ed./Single Subject Credential Program at UCSD

Education Studies (EDS) at UCSD offers a Master of Education degree/Credential Program for those seeking the California Preliminary Single Subject Credential in Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, English, Mathematics, and Physics for secondary school teachers. All EDS credentials provide preparation for teaching English language learners in a regular classroom setting.

The M.Ed./Credential program has four distinguishing features.

  1. Focus on equitable educational practices.


  2. Emphasis on the application of information technology and research-based practice.


  3. Preparation of teachers as reflective practitioners.


  4. Preparation of new teachers to understand the process and standards associated with National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Certification.

 

The M.Ed./Single Subject Credential Program at UC San Diego is a 22-month program consisting of Educational Foundations coursework (SS-1/First Year) and a Professional Preparation coursework (SS-2/Second Year).  Students complete the Educational Foundations courses in the first academic year of the program and the Professional coursework in the remaining 13 months.

UC San Diego students who complete the Educational Foundations (SS-1) coursework as undergraduates, will need to apply to the 2nd year (SS-2) program as graduate students.

UC San Diego's rigorous program provides students with a more thorough understanding of educational issues and methodology than many other programs, and the added benefit of two years of in-class experience -- considerably more than that provided by shorter preparation programs. This results in our graduates being better prepared, more experienced, and more confident as they embark on their teaching careers.

SS-1 Sample timeline (22-month program):
Feburary 1st: Application due

September -June: Complete Educational Foundations Coursework (SS-1) as a graduate student

June: Advance to M.Ed./Credential Coursework

June - July: Complete Professional Coursework

July: Receive Credential and Master of Education


Educational Foundations Coursework (SS-1) as an undergraduate or graduate student:

Students complete the following seven courses (UC San Diego students may complete the foundation coursework, which fulfills the EDS minor, during undergraduate study.):
EDS 129A/B/C*

Intro to Teaching & Learning (Secondary)

(EDS 136 or 138 may substitute for 129A.)
*EDS 139 Practicum in Teaching/Learning is a co-requisite for EDS 129A/B/C, EDS 136, and EDS 138

EDS 117** Language, Culture, and Education
EDS 118** Adolescent Development and Education
EDS 126** Social Organization of Education
   


**or see EDS Program Booklet for list of approved equivalent courses.

Advancement to M.Ed./Credential Professional Preparation Coursework

Upon completing the Educational Foundations coursework, students are evaluated to determine their preparation and fitness for continuation into the professional coursework and student teaching program. A EDS faculty committee makes decisions concerning student continuation into the professional year of the program based on completion of all requirements, academic achievement, and level of professionalism in all aspects of the program. Continuation into the professional year is not automatic.

Professional Preparation Program

M.Ed. / Credential Program
Single Subject Educational Foundations
&
Professional Preparation Program

The Graduate Educational Foundations component for the Single Subject Program is fulfilled over one academic year starting in the fall term. The application deadline is: March 1, 2013. Afterr completion of the Educational Foundations coursework, students will be evaluated to determine their fitness for continuation into the Professional Preparation component leading to a California Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential.

Applicants interested in Financial Aid should complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as January 1st, 2013 and no later than March 2, 2013.  Contact Student Financial Services at 858-534-4480 if you have any questions.

Application Checklist

A completed application will include the following components:

Application Form

The application form is completed online.

In the application select the following choices:


a. Choose Program/Department: Education Studies

b. Choose Major (please click here to learn more about the differences in the program) :

i. M.Ed with Credential Prep- SS-1 Educational Foundations Single Subject/ Full Year (this major is for students who have not completed any or all of the Education Studies Foundation Coursework) OR

ii. M.Ed with Credential Prep- SS-2 Professional Year leading to a Preliminary Single Subject Credential (this major is for students who are currently working on or have completed the Education Studies Foundation Coursework as an undergraduate student)

c. Choose Degree: M.Ed is the only selection

d. Choose Term:

i.  If you selected SS-1 as major, the only option to select is Fall 2013

ii. If you selected SS-2 as major, the only option to select is Special Summer Session 2013


Academic History

A 3.0 cumulative GPA is required from the school awarding the bachelor's degree.


Transcripts

For Application Review purposes: The Education Studies program accepts uploaded transcripts only.  Please scan both the front and back sides from each university/college level institution attended, even if the back side is blank.  Convert the scanned transcripts to PDF format (see link within the online application), and upload both front and back sides of your documents .  For any problems with uploading transcripts, contact our Admissions Evaluator at the Office of Graduate Studies, Zarina Sharifi.  Applicants with academic work in progress who expect to complete a degree program before the date of enrollment at UCSD must also upload a current printout or transcript of their academic history. 

Upon provisional admission to graduate study at UC San Diego:

* Send One set of official hard copy of transcripts from all institutions attended and from the institution where you obtained your undergraduate degree to the Office of Graduate Admissions (OGS) at UC San Diego. OGS will require these transcripts from you if you are officially admitted into the University. For undergraduate students who are completing their degree, please wait until your degree has been conferred and posted on your academic records before sending the official transcript to the Admissions Office at OGS.  

* Send a Second set of official hard copy of transcripts from all institutions attended and from the institution where you obtained your undergraduate degree will be required to finalize your admission and must be mailed to your contact person at Education Studies (EDS).  For undergraduate students who are completing their degree, please wait until your degree has been conferred and posted on your academic records before sending an official transcript to Education Studies.  Education Studies requires this additional set of transcripts in order to comply with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards.

Applicants who attended any campus of the University of California, including UCSD, must provide official transcripts of the UC coursework.  Transcripts from UCSD may be ordered by an applicant from the Office of the Registrar.  There is no charge for UCSD transcripts of record sent to departments in support of an application for graduate study at UCSD.

 

Recommendations

Three letters of recommendation submitted via the online recommendation form available within the application or mailed to us using the downloadable form (also accessible through the online application). You may find it useful to consider in advance whom you will ask to serve as recommenders, so that you can contact these individuals and confirm their willingness.

The following are suggested sources in order of importance:

a. Professors/instructors from your major field of study at your undergraduate college who can evaluate your academic qualifications for graduate studies and your communication skills.
b. A teacher, administrator, or other individual who can evaluate your ability to work with children and/or adolescents.
c. An employer or other individual who can evaluate your work experience and other personal characteristics.

Statement of Purpose

The online application includes a statement of purpose. The statement should include one-two pages focusing on the following three areas:

a. Your reasons for choosing education as a career and for applying to Education Studies at UC San Diego
b. Your experience working with children from various cultural backgrounds in the public schools and any related experience you feel is appropriate.
c. Your community service experiences, especially those in culturally diverse settings.

GRE (general test only) Scores

The GRE exam (general test only) must be taken prior to the admission deadline. Our program code is R4836. If you have already taken the test and did not have your scores sent to UC San Diego, contact ETS to have your scores sent to the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) electronically. The GRE exam (general test only) is valid for five years.

California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) for Single Subject or Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP) 

Passing score on the CSET exam. Official score report mailed to Education Studies. Although you may have requested your scores to be sent to Education Studies, our offices require the original paper 8 1/2 X 11 score report. 

a. CSET exams for Math: Math 110, 111, 112
b. CSET exams for Science: Bio 118, 119, 120 or Chem 118, 119, 121 or Phys 118, 119, 123 or Geo 118, 119, 122
c. CSET exams for English: Eng 105, 106, 107, 108

Register online or by phone at (916) 928-4003. If you would like to do a Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP) in Mathematics, contact Ed Ashton at (858) 534-7297 for a SMPP review. Education Studies will send you a copy of the SMPP evaluation if you are admitted into the program. Note: Your SMPP should be 100% complete by the end of July in order for you to begin your student teaching position (internship position only if available) which will begin during the second year of the program (SS-2).

California Basic Skills Requirement

a. Passing score on the CBEST test. One official 4X4 passing card or official score report mailed to Education Studies. Although you may have requested your scores to be sent to Education Studies, our offices require the original 4x4 card you receive in the mail OR

b. Passage of the English and Mathematics sections of California State University (CSU) Early Assessment Program (EAP). The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Test and CSU English Placement Test (EPT) also meet the basic skills requirement OR

c. Passage of a basic skills examination from another state (certain states excluded--please see your EDS advisor for more information).

For either option, you must send an official 4X4 passing card or an official report to your contact person at Education Studies.  Although you may have requested your scores to be sent to Education Studies, our offices require the original documents you received in the mail. 

U.S. Constitution Requirement

a. Completion of a course including the provisions and principles of the U.S. Constitution. If this course was not taken at UCSD, please send EDS a copy of the formal course description for this class. It can only be used if U.S. Constitution is specifically outlined. Please include your name and the course number on the sheet as well.

Click here for a list of approved UC San Diego courses.

b. Any student who completed a BA/BS Degree from a California State University (CSU) has automatically completed the US Constitution requirement.

c. Or, you may send EDS an official exam report that verifies passage of the appropriate (college level only) exam. Some places that offer the exam on site or online are:
i. UC San Diego Extension
ii. Notre Dame De Namur University

Contact Lea Marzo at (858) 534-8834 for additional information on the U.S. Constitution.

Sensitivity to Second Language Learning and Acquisition

Students may fulfill this option by one of three ways:

a) Completion of 9-quarter units or 6 semester units of college coursework in a single/same language that is not the applicant's native language. These units must be included in the official Transcript submitted to EDS.
b) Three years of a foreign language, other than English, taken in grades 7 through 12 with a grade of "B" or better. An official transcript from high school is required and must be included with your other application materials sent to Education Studies .
c) Approval by the Coordinator of Teacher Education of an essay describing an experience that you feel shows language sensitivity. Contact Education Studies Admissions Office for more details.

TB Test- Medical Report
A copy of your negative TB test results. TB tests must be taken after June 1st, 2013. If admitted into the program, you will be required to show proof of a negative TB test result at orientation.

Please be sure to retain copies of all application materials submitted to EDS.  You will be required to give copies of most of these materials to districts.  EDS will not be able to make copies of any application materials that are part of your file.  Any admissions document submitted with your application becomes the property of the University.

 

Send application materials to:
University of California, San Diego
Education Studies
Attention: Admissions / Lea Marzo
9500 Gilman Drive
Mail Code 0070
La Jolla, CA 92093-0070

 

FUNDING

We do our best to offer competitive funding or support to students we admit, with the most competitive funding in the form of fellowships, awards, or employment, going to applicants who are best matched to our program. Without a guarantee, we strongly encourage applicants to consider additional resources and supplemental forms of Financial Aid. View additional funding opportunities here.

 

For questions regarding the Single Subject Credential/M.Ed. program, please contact Lea Marzo at 858-534-8834.

 


Professional Preparation Course of Study

The M.Ed./Single Subject Credential Professional Course of Study consists of ten professional preparation courses, plus a Student Teaching Experience which spans the full academic year. The seminars offered in the evening throughout the academic year, address classroom management, theories of teaching and learning, educating special-needs students, and advanced teaching practices.

Master of Education and Preliminary Single Subject Credential Program Brochure

 

Credentialing

For the first time since the Ryan Act of 1970, teacher preparation went through major changes in California. In the fall of 1998, the legislature adopted and passed Senate Bill 2042 which established new teacher education curriculum and program standards.

Single Subject Teaching Credentials authorize the holder to teach in departmentalized classrooms such as classroom settings in most junior and senior high schools. However, a teacher authorized for single subject instruction may be assigned to teach in any departmentalized classroom (preschool, K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults).

Students completing the M.Ed. Single Subject program will receive a Preliminary Single Subject Credential, with an included emphasis in instructing English Language Learners and will be authorized to provide the following services: (1) instruction for English language development in grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults; and (2) specially designed content instruction delivered in English in single subject matter.

Single Subject candidates must complete the following credential requirements:

1) Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university.

2) Completion of a Basic Skills requirement, via passage of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), OR passage of the English and Mathematics sections of California State University (CSU) Early Assessment Program (EAP). The Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) Test and CSU English Placement Test (EPT) also meet the basic skills requirement.

3) Passage of an approved CSET Single Subjects exam, or a letter documenting completion of an approved subject matter competency program.

4) U.S. Constitution Requirement. An appropriate course or exam is required.

5) Successful completion of PACT (an assessment of beginning teacher competence).