Overview

The Education M.A.: Option in Integrated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics) Teaching provides educators with the opportunity to develop their pedagogical skills and knowledge in teaching science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (thus, meeting Common Core State Standards in Mathematics and Next Generation Science Standards), strengthen their capacity for addressing the needs of diverse learners (especially those with special needs), build collaboration in educational contexts, access and value knowledge from multiple sources, all grounded in the pursuit of equity. 

This program has two objectives that can be achieved separately or in combination.

• the Master of Arts degree in Education and/or
• a California teaching credential, in one of two concentrations:
  • Single Subject in Mathematics or Science, or
  • Education Specialist in mild to moderate disabilities

The Master of Arts Degree

This option requires a minimum of 75 units (which includes 45-52 units for a credential).  Candidates must fulfill all requirements for a credential or possess a valid credential before attempting courses in the Master’s sequences. Candidates who complete the Master’s of Arts Degree could qualify for a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning (COTL) .

Master Degree and a Teaching Credential

This option can potentially satisfy the requirements for both the Master of Arts in Education degree and for a California teaching credential in one of the concentration areas. The Credential is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

• The Single Subject Teaching Credential  includes courses appropriate for preliminary teacher preparation in math or science to students in middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools.
• The Education Specialist Instruction Credential  prepares candidates for teaching students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12.

Credential (Secondary Teaching or Education Specialist Instruction)

The Teaching Credential with authorization in Single Subject Instruction qualifies holders to teach in their authorized field at any grade level, preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1 through 12, or in classes organized primarily for adults.

The Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Mild to Moderate Disabilities qualifies holders to conduct assessments, provide instruction, and special education-related services to individuals with a primary disability of specific learning disabilities, mild/moderate intellectual disabilities, other health impairment, emotional disturbance, and autism spectrum disorders within the disability area, in kindergarten, grades 1 through 12, and classes organized primarily for adults in services across the continuum of program options available.  

California State University Los Angeles is authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to prepare students for teaching credentials in many subject areas; the following are in this program:

• Mathematics (including Foundational)
• Science (Biology, Chemistry, Foundational, GeoScience, or Physics)
• Education Specialist Instruction (in Mild to Moderate Disabilities)  

Post-baccalaureate students who would like to earn a teaching credential in one of the above fields should read the information below and contact the College of Education  Office for Student Services in King Hall D2078 for advice.

Supplementary Authorizations

Holders of a Multiple or Single Subject Teaching Credential issued by the State of California may add a supplemental authorization to teach in another discipline by completing additional course work. Interested students should consult the Charter College of Education Office for Student Services in King Hall D2078 for further information.

Requirements for the Degree

A total of 75 to 86 units are required, including 45 or 52 teaching credential units and 0 or 4 units culminating Experience. Candidates who enter the MA program with a pre-existing credential will need to complete all the core courses to qualify for the MA degree (30 or 34 units). All students will pass either a comprehensive examination or a thesis for the master’s degree.

Admissions

Master Degree Only: 

In addition to university requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants for the independent MA degree must have a valid Teaching Credential.

The Master Degree and the Credential:

In addition to university requirements for admission to graduate study, Applicants must have:

1. A bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university,
2. A 2.75 or higher grade point average in their last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted,
3. Met the basic skills requirement or attempted the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST),
4. Completed a CTC-approved subject matter program by subject-area department or received a passing score on all required sections of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET),
5. General Education Oral Communications (3 semester units) or Speech Proficiency Assessment for Teachers (1 semester unit) or an acceptable alternative by petition,
6. Passed the Writing Proficiency Exam (0 units) or a score of 41 or higher on the writing portion of the CBEST or an acceptable alternative by petition.

Requirements for a Preliminary Teaching Credential:

In order for the university to recommend students to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) for a preliminary Single Subject or Education Specialist Instruction Credential, the following requirements must be completed or passed:

1. A bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university,
2. All required subject matter and pedagogy competencies (i.e. CSET, CBEST, TPA [Teacher Performance Assessment], RICA [Reading Instruction Competence Assessment]),
3. The writing proficiency examination (WPE) , or GE Oral Communication , or acceptable alternative by petition
4. Fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement
5. PH 2010  or a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) card (infant, child, and adult),
6. The professional education courses listed below with a GPA of 3.0 or better

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