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Master of Arts in Teaching

42 Semester Credits/ 4 Semesters/16 Months

*Bilingual Authorization 9 Credits/1 Additional Semester/4 Additional Months

 

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program (MAT) provides students a pathway to complete their California teaching credential preparation program while also pursuing a Masters degree.  Students interested in teaching at the K-6 school level in the State of California must have completed a bachelors degree at a regionally accredited university, have passed the California Basic Education Skills Test (CBEST) and have the capacity to pass the California Subjects Examination for Teachers (CSET), or have completed a commission-approved elementary subject-matter program.  Students interested in teaching at the 7-12 school level must have completed a bachelors degree at a regionally accredited university and have the capacity to pass the appropriate subject-matter examination (CSET), such as English, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science, Social Science, World Languages (Spanish), or have completed a commission-approved subject-matter program.

 

The College of Education offers the following Teacher Credentialing programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC):

  • 2042 Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential
  • 2042 Single Subject Preliminary Credential- in the following areas- English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Sciences, Social Sciences, World Languages
  • Bilingual Authorization (Spanish/English)

 

Teacher Performance Expectations

By the end of the Teacher Credentialing Preparation Program candidates will learn, apply and reflect upon the following Teaching Performance Expectations (TPE’s):

TPE 1: Engaging and Supporting All Students in Learning

TPE 2: Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning

TPE 3: Understanding and Organizing Subject Matter for Student Learning

TPE 4: Planning Instruction and Designing Learning Experiences for All Students

TPE 5: Assessing Student Learning

TPE 6: Developing as a Professional Educator

 

Student Teaching Requirements

  • Submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination 60 days prior to the start of student teaching. 
  • Completed and passed the CSET for the credential being sought (or obtain a waiver)
  • CPR Certification
  • Complete 600 hours of full-time student teaching in an approved classroom(s) over 2 eight-week sessions regardless of holidays or vacation days
  • Students are advised not to work during their student teaching experience as it is a full-time commitment requiring 40 plus hours each week
  • Substitute teaching and non-sequential or unapproved placements may not be counted towards the 600 hours of required practicum
  • Students may be required to travel to  distant school sites as assigned- specific school schedule requests or school sites may or may not be accommodated
  • In order to progress to the second student teaching session a minimum of 1 edTPA task must be completed and submitted 

  • Students are encouraged to look ahead and properly plan for the required 16 weeks of student teaching 

  • *Student teaching is rarely available during the Summer.  Students who begin the program in the fall terms and continuously enroll in two courses each term must acknowledge that student teaching may be delayed until the following fall terms due to third party teaching placements availability. By not continuing during summer sessions, this may impact your continuous enrollment, financial aid (if applicable), and time to complete.

    The following Courses may not be offered in the summer II term:

    EDU 565 Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I

    EDU 562 Directed Student Teaching Seminar I

    EDU 567 Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II

    EDU 564 Directed Student Teaching Seminar II

Program Completion Requirements

  • Complete program with a Cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above
  • Passed edTPA Tasks*
  • Passed the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) (Multiple Subjects only)
  • Passed the CSET (all sections) 
  • Exit interview
  • Exit survey

Teacher Credentialing and Licensure

Per the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) all students must meet the specific requirements in effect at the time of candidate application for credential.  While the United States University program prepares California teacher candidates it does not guarantee teacher licensure. All credential candidates are encouraged to check the commission requirement page on a regular basis as requirements may change. https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl560c.pdf?sfvrsn=8db75dfc_16

In order to be recommended to the California Teaching Commission for a Multiple Subject Credential or a Single Subject Credential, candidates must complete the following requirements:

Multiple Subject Credential

  1. Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
  2. Satisfy the basic skills requirement (Passage of the CBEST exam or waiver)
  3. Achieve a passing score on required subject matter exams (CSET or waiver).
  4. Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
  5. Complete a course in the provisions and principles of the US Constitution or pass exam. 
  6. Complete a Commission-approved multiple subject teacher preparation program.
  7. Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.

Single Subject Credential

  1. Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
  2. Satisfy the basic skills requirement (Passage of the CBEST exam or waiver)
  3. Verify subject matter competence by ONE of the following:
    1. Achieve a passing score on the appropriate subject-matter examination(s).(CSET or Waiver)
    2. Complete a Commission-approved subject matter program. (not available at USU)
    3. For Specialized Science subjects only, individuals may take and pass the appropriate subject matter examinations or obtain verification of completion of subject-matter course work from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
  4. Complete a course in the provisions and principles of the US Constitution or pass exam. 
  5. Complete a Commission-approved teacher preparation program.
  6. Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.

Outcomes

1: Engaging and supporting all students in learning

2: Creating and maintaining effective environments for student learning

3: Understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning

4: Planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students

5: Assessing student learning

6 :Developing as a professional educator

7. Utilize data to inform decision making and address barriers to student success

8: Apply research and theory to educational planning in support of equitable outcomes for students, staff and the school community

Curriculum Requirements

Core Requirements

EDU501Affirming and Valuing Diversity in the Classroom

3
EDU503Foundations of Education

3
EDU504Introduction to Special Education

3
EDU510Introduction to Classroom Instruction

3
EDU525English Language Developmental Strategies for English Language Learners

3
EDU698Educational Research in Action

3
EDU699MAT Capstone

3

Note: EDU699 is non-transferable and must be taken in last semester. 

Multiple Subject Credential Requirements

EDU534Curriculum and Instruction I

3
EDU535Curriculum and Instruction II

3
EDU536Language Arts and Reading K-6

3
EDU561Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I

5
EDU562Directed Student Teaching Seminar I

1
EDU563Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II

5
EDU564Directed Student Teaching Seminar II

1

Single Subject Credential Requirements

EDU540Secondary Teaching Strategies I

3
EDU541Secondary Teaching Strategies II

3
EDU542Reading in the Content Area

3
EDU565Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I

5
EDU562Directed Student Teaching Seminar I

1
EDU567Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II

5
EDU564Directed Student Teaching Seminar II

1

Optional Addition-Bilingual Authorization Requirements

EDU522First and Second Language Acquisition

3
EDU580Latinos in the United States

3
EDU581Desarollo del Lenguaje y Lectura

3