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, Professional Preparation coursework, and the preparation of a Teaching Performance Assessment Portfolio. Students complete the Educational Foundations courses in the first academic year, and the Professional coursework in the remaining thirteen months. (Students who have completed the Educational Foundations coursework as UC San Diego undergraduates will complete the program in 13 months.)

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.

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

September -June: Complete Educational Foundations Coursework

Jun /e: Advance to M.Ed./Credential Coursework

June - August: Complete Professional Coursework

August: Receive Credential and Master of Education


Educational Foundations Coursework

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
EDS 190 Research Practicum


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

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: February 1, 2010. After 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 Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

Applicants interested in Financial Aid should complete the Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible, preferably by March 2. Contact Student Financial Services at 858-534-3807 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. "Fall" admission for those applying to our Foundation Program and "Summer"admission for those applying to our Professional Preparation Program
b. The graduate department/group is "Education Studies"
c. Specialization is either"SS-1 Educational Foundations/Single Subject" or
"SS-2 Credential Professional Preparation /Single Subject"
d. Degree Objective is "M.Ed"

Academic History

Official transcript(s) from each college and/or university attended (one sets from each institution) should be sent directly to our admissions office. If the sensitivity to second language acquisition requirement was completed during high school, one official transcript must be submitted as well.

B.A. or B.S. with a major field of study in the area corresponding to the credential subject
a) English: majors equivalent to UC San Diego Literature and Linguistic majors; all English majors
b) Mathematics: all Mathematics majors; majors equivalent to any UC San Diego Engineering major or Computer Science major or Management Science
c) Science: Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, or Physics. All majors in the natural sciences exlcuding Psychology.

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

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 Scores

The GRE exam 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 us electronically.

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

a. CSET exams for Math: Math 110, 111, 112, 113
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 phone at (916) 928-4003.If you are doing the SMPP, contact Ed Ashton at (858) 534-7297 for a SMPP review by the deadline. Education Studies will send you a copy of the SMPP evaluation if you are admitted into the program. Note: You must be 100% complete by the end of July in order for you to begin your internship that 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 our admissions office.

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. Or, you may send EDS an official exam report that verifies passage of the appropriate exam. Some places that offer the exam on site or online are:
i. UC San Diego Extension
ii. San Diego County Office of Education
iii. Notre Dame De Namur University

Contact the EDS office at (858) 534-1680 for additional information.

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.
c) Approval by the EDS director 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 or original medical report of your negative TB test results. We advise you to make a copy of this test for your records for future reference.

It is recommended that you make copies of all your exams and test reports prior to sending them into our offices. Once they are submitted with your application, they become the property of the University and we are unable to make copies.

 

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

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

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 YOU COPIES OF ANY APPLICATION MATERIALS THAT ARE PART OF YOUR FILE.

To learn about the Math for America 5-Year Fellowship, log on to www.mathforamerica.org/sandiego. You may also contact Barbara Edwards at 858 822-MATH.


Professional Preparation Course of Study

The M.Ed./Single Subject Credential Professional Course of Study consists of ten professional preparation courses, plus an Internship Field 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.

Students complete the following coursework for the M.Ed./Single Subject Credential (in addition to EDS 379A/B/C Single Subject Internship Practicum):

EDS 190 Research Practicum
EDS 201 Intro to Resources for Teaching & Learning
EDS 203 Technology, Teaching and Learning
EDS 204 Technology and Professional Assessment
EDS 205A/B Reflective Teaching Practice
EDS 206 Teaching Performance Assessment Portfolio
EDS 250 Equitable Educational Research and Practice
EDS 351 Teaching the English Language Learner
EDS 373* Secondary English Teaching Practices
EDS 374* Secondary Mathematics Teaching Practices
EDS 375* Secondary Science Teaching Practices
EDS 376 Writing, Reading and Language Instruction
EDS 381 Health Education
EDS 382 Inclusive Education Practices

(EDS 352A/B Bilingual Instructional Practices - candidates preparing to teach in bilingual classrooms only)

*Students take either EDS 373, 374 or 375 depending on their major of study (Math, Science or English)

 

Advancement to M.Ed./Credential Professional Preparation Coursework

Upon completion of the Educational Foundations coursework, students are evaluated to determine their preparation and fitness for continuation into the professional coursework and internship program. Advancement will be evaluated based on several criteria including academic performance, references, and portfolio of work.

Those advancing to the M.Ed./Single Subject Credential Professional Preparation Coursework are eligible to be interviewed for a paid internship for the school year, in a local middle or high school. Availability of internship positions is not guaranteed, though EDS attempts to facilitate internship positions for all Single Subject students. Students who do not receive an internship position will do their practicum as student teachers. Interns are responsible for teaching English, Math, or Science courses and are generally hired for part-time teaching loads, receiving a salary from the school district that may commensurate with the number of courses they teach.

Both Interns and Student Teachers are provided an intensive program of professional preparation, including a full-time summer program of teaching methodology courses.

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).