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Elementary California Teacher Preparation Program in Conjunction with a B.A. Degree in an Academic Major (Liberal Studies recommended; see major description and requirements)

Preparation for certification as an elementary teacher in California consists of two components, (1) academic preparation and (2) professional preparation. In addition, other state requirements must be met, as in (3) below. The Mount Saint Mary’s University Elementary Teacher Preparation Program is a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved program for the preparation of students for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential as defined by SB 2042. It is possible to complete both the academic and professional preparation as an undergraduate and to graduate with a preliminary teaching credential.

  1. Academic Preparation. The undergraduate student interested in elementary school teaching ordinarily completes a Liberal Studies major as described in the Liberal Studies major description pages. However, qualified candidates, interested in a concurrent program of teacher preparation, may select another academic major. Students must satisfy the academic preparation requirement for a teaching credential by either completing a set of courses as part of the "waiver program" or achieving a passing score on the California Subject Matter Examination(s) for Teachers (CSET), multiple subjects subsections. Regardless of major, approval for the "waiver" or passing scores on the CSET must be on file prior to the application deadline for supervised teaching.

  2. Professional Preparation. Simultaneously with the Liberal Studies major, undergraduate students complete the Elementary Teacher Preparation Program courses to satisfy professional requirements. Fieldwork in public schools affiliated with the Education Program is required in each professional preparation class. The student must be able to arrange for transportation to fieldwork sites.

Refer to Preliminary Elementary Teacher Preparation Program for the Elementary Teacher Preparation Program course list and description of the Certificate in Inclusive and Responsive Teaching (CIRT) that is embedded within the Teacher Preparation Program. Also see Preliminary Teacher Preparation Programs  for teacher preparation program requirements and Supervised Teaching for supervised teaching policies. Units taken in the Teacher Preparation Program may count toward the Baccalaureate degree.

  1. Other Requirements: Students must apply to and be officially admitted to the Elementary Teacher Preparation Program with a passing score on the CBEST examination to enroll in advanced professional preparation coursework: EDU 155 Social Studies and the Arts and EDU 156 Language and Literacy. Prior to filing for the credential students must fulfill the requirement related to the United States Constitution, pass a state-required examination on the teaching of reading (RICA), have a current CPR certification for adult, child, and infant. POL 1, American Government and Institutions, currently meets the U.S. Constitution requirement. If a student wishes to fulfill this requirement by taking a course off-campus, she must submit an equivalency petition for approval to the Education Department prior to course enrollment. EDU 156, Language and Literacy: Elementary Curriculum, will prepare students for the RICA exam. Prior to taking any course involving fieldwork, students must have received a Certificate of Clearance. Prior to supervised teaching students must have met the subject matter competence requirements. The Certificate of Clearance must be valid throughout the entire supervised teaching experience. Finally, all teacher credential candidates must pass the state-required Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) administered during the program coursework.

It is particularly important that students meet regularly with their Liberal Studies program advisor as the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) regulations are subject to change.

Speak to an advisor if you plan to teach in a state other than California to learn about additional requirements.