FAQs: Credential/MA Program

Who needs a teaching credential?

Everyone who teaches grades K – 12 in public schools on a permanent basis is required to hold a California teaching credential.

What kind of major do I need to have in order to become a teacher?

For teaching at the K-6 level, you can have any major as your background for teaching. For teaching at the secondary level in grades 7-12, a major in your area is the best thing. If your undergraduate major is not in the subject area you wish to teach it is advisable for you to pass the subject matter examinations (CSET) prior to submitting your application for admission.

Will an Education minor improve my chances of getting into a credential program?

No, although two of the courses can meet prerequisites to the credential program: Edu 100 meets the 30 hour classroom experience requirement and Edu 110 meets the Educational Psychology requirement.

Do I need to have experience with children in order to get accepted into the credential program?

Yes, you need to have experience in a public school setting with children in the age group that you are planning to teach. We are expecting a minimum of about 30 hours of public classroom experience.

Can I transfer in any Education courses that I have taken at other institutions?

We will accept equivalent courses from other institutions as prerequisites.

What if I am interested in earning more than one credential?

It is possible to become authorized to teach more than one subject. You must pass the CSET in the additional subject matter you are interested in and take a methodology class as well. Additionally we routinely review your undergraduate courses to determine if you qualify for a Supplemental or Subject Matter Authorization in a specific subject area.

Are all credential programs the same?

No, every teaching credential program is different. It is for this reason that we encourage you to explore several programs in order to determine which program best fits your needs.

How much does the program cost?

For specific information about the fee schedule, please check with the Office of Resource Management and Planning (ORMP).

Aside from tuition and the cost of books, are there any other expenses I can expect during the program?

There will be fees for a required TB test (approx. $15), certificate of clearance and fingerprinting (approx. $110), CPR certification (approx. $30), RICA test (for multiple subject candidates only, approx. $135), as well as the Teaching Credential Application itself ($57).

Is Financial Aid available?

Yes, students who meet requirements are eligible for regular government loans and grants as well as for various loan forgiveness programs (e.g., Cal Grant TCP) specifically designed for teachers. For more information, check out our page on financial aid options.

Is a teaching credential also a Master’s degree?

No, a teacher credential authorizes you to provide instruction in a K-12 public school and is issued under the guidelines of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. A Masters in Education is an college degree awarded by a College or University.

UC Davis offers a combined Credential/Masters Program that when completed results in both a California teaching credential and a UC Davis Masters in Education.

Will I have to have finished ALL program prerequisites by the time I apply to the program?

Ideally, you want to have completed prerequisites by the summer before you enter the program. However you may apply to the program and even begin classes prior to completion of prerequisites.

Do I have to have meet the Basic Skills Requirement (commonly referred to as CBEST) by the time I start the program?

You are not required to have met the requirement before you begin the program but it is strongly recommended. Unless you were out of the area and could not take the CBEST exam, you should have attempted the test by the time you begin our program. You MUST meet this requirement before your full time student teaching take-over.

Do I have to have passed all the CSET subtests by the time I start the program?

You are not required to pass all subtests of the CSET exam before you begin the program but it is strongly recommended. Unless you were out of the area and could not take the CSET exam, you should have attempted all required subtests by the time you begin our program. You MUST pass all required subtests before your full time student teaching take-over.

For the CSET, having passed your subject matter exams by the time you apply to the program will increase your chances of admission.

What is a subject-matter waiver or a subject-matter exam and how do I get one?

The subject matter waiver is an approved program of coursework that substitutes for the subject matter (CSET) exam. Various universities offer these approved programs, and if your coursework matches the courses in those programs, you can be issued a subject-matter program waiver letter stating that you have completed the waiver program for a particular subject matter. You should contact the college where you completed your undergraduate degree to determine if they have an approved subject-matter program.

The subject matter waiver is not available for multiple subject applicants.

Do you accept anyone with a GPA lower than 3.0?

The standard for admission to UC graduate work is 3.0. We look at either one’s cumulative work, all upper-division coursework, or the last two years of upper-division course work. Please review the GPA requirement under admissions for additional information and options.

Where are student teachers placed?

Normally, student teaching is done in the communities of Dixon, Woodland, Winters, Vacaville, West Sacramento and Sacramento. In addition we work very closely with the San Juan, Elk Grove, Grant Joint Union and Folsom/Cordova districts in the Sacramento county area.

Does UC Davis have a part-time program, night program, or summer program?

No, our credential program is definitely full-day and full-time over the course of the fall, winter and spring quarters (or equivalent fall and spring semesters). The Masters portion of our Credential/MA program does offer a more flexibility for meeting times scheduled around your work schedule.

What does the credential year look like?

You will be involved in a very intensive and extensive experience of coursework and field work. The amount of work is considerable. If you are to be successful, you will need to prepare yourself to devote all your energy and time to this program.

Where are teachers needed the most?

In low-performing schools and schools in rural areas.

What subject areas experience the greatest teacher shortage?

The most severe shortages of qualified teachers are in these areas: bilingual education, physical science, mathematics, and special education.

Will I have time to work during my credential program?

No. You will spend your mornings in the schools and afternoons on campus taking courses. Your evenings will be filled with homework (your own and your students’) and back-to-school nights, etc.

What is the average starting salary for teachers?

Salaries vary somewhat by school district. On average, an entry level teacher’s salary is roughly $37,645. After 10 years of teaching, an average salary is $61,000. The starting salary increases with a master’s degree.