Undergraduate Teacher Credential Programs
Program Overview At the University of San Diego, it is possible for students to graduate in four years with a bachelor’s degree and a teacher credential. With an experienced faculty, small classes, personal advising and a curriculum that is constantly being tuned to top standards in the profession, we are confident in the quality of the teachers we are preparing for the future. We offer the following credentials: the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential (with an option to emphasize in bilingual cross-cultural language and academic development or BCLAD), for teaching in elementary education; the Preliminary Single Subject Credential, for teaching in secondary education; and the Level I Education Specialist Credential, for teaching in special education.
Multiple Subject Credential (with an option for BCLAD emphasis) The Multiple Subject Credential Program prepares students for teaching in a self-contained setting in elementary schools and some middle school classrooms. The program is completed along with the liberal studies major, which prepares students in the subjects taught in elementary school classrooms. Students demonstrate subject-matter competence by passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subject examination. A description of the liberal studies course is contained in the Undergraduate Bulletin. The BCLAD option is designed for teachers with oral and written fluency in Spanish and English, who are interested in teaching in bilingual classrooms.
Single Subject Credential The Single Subject Credential prepares students for teaching in departmentalized settings in secondary classrooms. This program is completed along with a major in a content area, which prepares the students in the subject matter they wish to teach. Students demonstrate subject-matter competence by passing the CSET subject matter examination or by completing an approved subject matter program (which differs from the major). Specific course requirements for approved programs can be obtained from the Office of Student Services in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and from the appropriate departments in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Program Curriculum
Admission Requirements
Multiple Subject Credential (with an option for BCLAD emphasis)
In order to pursue an academic program leading to a degree and teacher credential, students must declare their majors as early as possible. In addition, students are required to make a formal application to the Teacher Credential Program in the second semester of their sophomore years, or soon after declaring their majors, should that occur in the junior year. While applicants are evaluated based on a holistic method, the successful candidate for the program will demonstrate his or her candidacy in the following manner:
EDSP 389
Healthy Environments and Inclusive Education 3 units
EDUC 381
Multicultural and Philosophical Foundations of Education 3 units
EDUC 382
Psychological Foundations of Education in a Diverse Society 3 units
EDUC 383P
Methods of Teaching Reading and Language Arts 3 units
EDUC 384C
Methods of Teaching English Language and Academic Development 3 units
EDUC 385P
Elementary Curriculum Methods 6 units
EDUC 490S
Student Teaching Seminar
EDUC 490 P
Student Teaching 10 units
2 units
Single Subject Credential EDSP 389
Healthy Environments and Inclusive Education 3 units
EDUC 381
Multicultural and Philosophical Foundations of Education 3 units
EDUC 382
Psychological Foundations of Education in a Diverse Society 3 units
EDUC 332P
Curriculum and Methods of Teaching in Secondary Schools
3 units
EDUC 334P
Methods of Teaching Reading in Secondary Schools 3 units
EDUC 384C
Methods of Teaching English Language and Development 3 units
EDUC 491S
Student Teaching Seminar 2 units
EDUC 491P
Student Teaching 10 units
Level I Education Specialist Credential: Professional Education Courses EDUC 375 Elementary Curriculum Methods for Special Educators 3 units EDUC 383P Methods of Teaching Reading and Language Arts 3 units EDUC 384C Methods of Teaching English Language and Academic Development 3 units Common Core Classes
EDSP 389
Healthy Environments and Inclusive Education 3 units
EDSP 370
Assessment in Special Education 3 units
EDSP 371
Management of Behavior and Instruction 3 units
EDSP 372
Typical and Atypical Language Development 3 units
EDSP 373
Family Systems and Community/Cultural Resources 3 units
EDSP 379
Cultural, Legal and Ethical Aspects of Special Education 3 units
Mild/Moderate Disabilities and Moderate/Severe Disabilities Characteristics and Needs or Typical/Atypical Development 3 units
Level I Education Specialist Credential (Special Education)
EDSP 374
Undergraduate students interested in becoming special education teachers have three different credential programs from which to choose: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (grades K-12); Moderate/Severe Disabilities (grades K-12); and Early Childhood Disabilities (Birth-Preschool-Kindergarten). To obtain a Level I Education Specialist Credential, students must major in liberal studies, complete the major requirements in the College of Arts and Sciences section of the Undergraduate Bulletin and take the appropriate special education professional coursework.
EDSP 376
EDSP 375
EDSP 378
EDSP 492P Practicum Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe 1-6 units
Distinguishing Features The School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) endeavors to prepare students for leadership roles in teaching, counseling and administrative capacities. All of our academic programs, from the undergraduate to doctoral level, are grounded in a theoretical framework that incorporates teaching, coursework and research in each discipline. The following is a list of features that form the core scholastic components of the Undergraduate Teacher Credential Programs:
• Curriculum that is constantly being tuned to top standards in the teaching profession. • Close collaboration with program faculty. • Dynamic inquiry-based program of studies. • Best practices infused into every course. • Emphasis on social justice and universal access. • Concentration on basic skills and concepts in content areas.
or
or
Curriculum and Instruction 3 units
Early Childhood Disabilities Complete common core classes above and: Characteristics and Needs of Individuals 3 units
EDSP 374 EDSP 376
Typical, Atypical and Medical Development 3 units
EDSP 378
Curriculum and Instruction 3 units
EDSP 491P Practicum Early Childhood 1-6 units
Contact Information For more information about the Undergraduate Teacher Credential Programs:
Kathy Estey Credential Program Specialist Phone: ( 619 ) 260-4159 E-mail: kestey@sandiego.edu For more information go to www.sandiego.edu/soles/prospective.
• Completed application. • Professional letter of recommendation from a faculty member. • An interview with a faculty member in the Department of Learning and Teaching. • A minimum grade point average of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate coursework. • Passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). Application deadlines vary by semester and students should contact Kathy Estey at ( 619 ) 260-4159 or kestey@sandiego.edu for the most current deadlines.