Preliminary California Elementary Teacher Preparation Program

The Elementary Teacher Preparation Program at Mount Saint Mary’s University has been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing under the 2001 SB 2042 Standards for Professional Preparation. This program prepares teachers to work with students in elementary (typically K-6) classrooms in California schools. Students begin the program with prerequisite courses in foundational areas such as development, culture, and language acquisition. They complete four professional preparation courses that include early fieldwork in exemplary teachers’ classrooms in Mount Saint Mary’s University associated schools. Students finish the program with supervised teaching and a culminating seminar. Supervised teaching may be completed in the student’s own classroom (interns and private school teachers) or in classrooms in Mount Saint Mary’s University associated schools (undergraduates and pre-service graduate students). Coursework and fieldwork provide the essential knowledge and skills students need to pass the state-mandated California Teacher Performance Assessment and the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). Additional requirements for a teaching credential include verification of subject matter competence, the U.S. Constitution requirement (verified by coursework or exam) and a Certificate of Clearance. Upon successful completion of all requirements, students apply for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Students are urged to maintain regular contact with their education program advisor as the CCTC credential requirements are subject to change. Graduate students may complete a Master of Science degree in Education in conjunction with the preliminary teacher preparation coursework.