Credential Program Philosophy

A core principle of the University of California, Davis Teacher Education Program is to prepare highly qualified teachers who are advocates for equity in learning for all students. Our programs are particularly effective in preparing our candidates to work with K-12 students who come from culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Course work includes methods of teaching a second language and developing academic literacy in all discipline areas.

The design, implementation, and assessment of the UC Davis credential program is guided by its mission to prepare teacher-leaders who can assume four key roles in ethnically and linguistically diverse school communities. These roles are:

• Collaborative professionals who work with students, colleagues, and parents to forge effective teaching practices;
• Advocates for educational equity who champion high learning expectations for all students;
• Reflective practitioners who employ classroom inquiry to improve teaching practice and create effective classroom communities; and
• Investigative teachers who continuously examine, define, and refine their teaching practice to promote student learning, targeting underachieving students as a particular focus.

The University of California, Davis, Teacher Education credential program offers a 5-quarter Credential/Master’s program in the Multiple Subject and Single Subject area. The first 3 quarters include course work to meet credential requirements. If you meet the criteria to continue on to the master’s program after the spring quarter of your credential year, you will enroll the following two quarters (Fall and Winter) as a part-time student to complete the master’s degree.