If your question is not addressed, below please contact us. Please make sure to always check the most current information regarding admission deadlines and prerequisites. You can contact the Student Services office at eduadvising@ucdavis.edu or (530) 752-5887.

Structure of the UC Davis Credential/MA Program

Where are student teachers placed?

Normally, student teaching is done in the communities within a 45 minute drive from the UC campus.  Districts we commonly place students in are: Davis, Dixon, Elk Grove, Fairfield-Suisun, Folsom-Codova, Language Academy of Sacramento, Natomas, Natomas Charter, Robla, Sacramento City, San Juan, Travis, Twin Rivers, Vacaville, Washington, Winters, and Woodland. 

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

No, our credential program is full-day and full-time during the credential year. The coursework for the master’s portion of the program is held on Saturdays to accommodate teachers’ work schedules.

Will I have time to work during my credential program?

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.  For most students working outside of their credential program is not feasible.

Can undergraduate students enroll in the Teacher Education Program? 

UC Davis undergraduates who have completed all prerequisites may enroll in professional preparation courses with the consent of the Chair of Teacher Education. However, this program is designed as a post-baccalaureate program and the requirement to hold a Bachelor’s degree at the start of our program is outlined in our prerequisites.

What is the Teach Out Plan for the UC Davis Teacher Education Program?

The UC Davis School of Education’s Teacher Education Program acknowledges and accepts that once a student is accepted and enrolls in the Teacher Education Program, we are required to offer the program until the candidate completes it. 

In the event that the UC Davis Teacher Education Program should close, the program would make every attempt to coordinate the timing of the closure with the end of the academic year, thus minimizing the number of students potentially impacted by such a closure. Additionally, the program would reach out to other educator preparation programs in our geographic area (CSU Sacramento, CSU Sonoma, UC Berkeley) to determine what support they might be able to offer our students.

For any student that has not yet completed the program by the time of closure, we would take the following steps:

• Notify each impacted student in writing of the closure, offering specific details about how we will support them through completion of their requirements.
• Assign a faculty or staff member to advise each student as to his/her options, creating an individualized transition plan and committing as a program to support them through completion.
• Monitor impacted students through completion of their program requirements.
• All enrolled students, without regard to whether they complete the program or not, always have ongoing access to their student records through the University of California.

General Questions about Earning a California Teaching Credential

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?

You can have any major as your background for teaching. There is not a required major to become a teacher.

If your undergraduate major is not in the subject area you wish to teach, it is advisable for you to meet the Subject Matter Requirement by passing the CSETs or completing applicable coursework prior to submitting your application for admission.

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 meet the Subject Matter Requirement for the additional subject you are interested in and take a methodology class as well. Our Credential Analyst will provide guidance to all registered students on how to add various authorizations based on testing or coursework completed. 

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.  A very common difference between programs is the timing for you to compete course work and your student teaching.

Is a teaching credential also a Master’s degree?

No, a teaching 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 academic 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 Masters of Arts in Education.