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Transform Your Passion into Impact.

 

Program Overview

Embark on a personalized journey with our comprehensive and relational online teaching credential and master’s program, tailored to be completed in 12 to 18 months. This program is designed to equip you with the expertise and competencies necessary to:

Our coursework is integrated within a supportive cohort model, intentionally structured to expand both your professional network and personal growth. With academic and clinical support from a team of diverse and seasoned educators, you’ll engage in a reciprocal learning experience where your perspectives and practices enrich classroom and school ecologies.

 

Our Commitment to Critical Social Justice in Education

Critical social justice is core to who we are, what we do, and what we value in CGU’s Teacher Education program. The act of teaching alone is not social justice if we are not teaching in ways that honor our students and communities. For us, critical social justice is not an empty gesture or a checklist, but rather a challenging, humbling, love-soaked, reflective practice that takes practice. We operate from the premise that schools are not neutral because they contain and reflect the inequities deeply and structurally embedded within our nation. Therefore, we support our students in understanding this landscape so they can:

To enact our values, we developed Critical Social Justice Competencies that guide our faculty’s and students’ teaching practices, we elevate scholarship and experiences of diverse voices, and we center collective wellness and community in everything we do.

Pathways to Certification
Program Length: 12-18 Months
Residency
  • Emulates the immersive nature of medical residencies with personalized training.
  • Earn your credential and MA in one year.
  • Provides hands-on classroom experience under a mentor, with progressively increasing responsibilities.
  • Unpaid, but district partnerships can provide a $25,000 living stipend and hiring advantages post-completion.

 

Program Length: 18-24 months
Internship
  • Paid program, with an average salary of $45,000 per year.
  • Ideal for experienced educators desiring full-time pay and benefits.
  • Candidates find and apply for the internship with guidance from CGU.
  • Complete a full year as the teacher of record in your classroom.
  • Start in spring with a pre-internship student teaching placement.
  • Opportunities to work in local school districts.

 

Pathways FAQ
Question Residency Internship

How do I qualify for this opportunity?

  • Standard residency: CGU places candidates for a full year in the classroom of a Mentor teacher in a public or charter school, usually within a 30-mile radius for the standard residency.
  • Funded residency: Candidates are placed in local public partner districts. Locations may vary based on grant opportunities.
  • Residency placements are primarily in public charter schools.
  • Internships may be secured after starting the program and are not a requirement to apply or enroll.
  • Candidates must be hired as an intern within a public or charter school district approved by CGU.
  • CGU provides support in the internship search process but does not guarantee placement.
  • Assistance with resume preparation and job search is available through CGU’s Career & Professional Development Office.
  • Candidates must start in Spring, participate in a pre-teaching experience, and pass the CSET to be internship eligible.

How long does it take to complete the program?

 
  • 12-18 months.
  • 18-24 months.

When can I start?

  • Spring or Summer.
  • You can complete the program in 12 months, starting in late July and ending in July the following year.

  • Spring.
  • Complete the program in 18 months, starting in January and ending in July of the following year.

Is this a paid opportunity?

  • Standard Residency: No, but you can substitute for your Mentor Teacher.
  • Funded Residency: Includes a living stipend, typically around $25K.

  • Yes, with starting salaries around $54K plus benefits.

What are the time requirements of this program?

  • At least 20 hours weekly at the clinical site plus graduate and credential coursework.
  • Full time at your school site plus graduate and credential coursework.

What are the typical working hours at the school site?

  • Standard Residency: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM on three weekdays.
  • Funded Residency: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.

  • 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM from Monday – Friday and additional hours as required by your job.

What credentials can I earn at CGU?

  • Multiple-Subject General Education (elementary).
  • Single-Subject General Education in Math, Science, Social Studies, English, or World Languages.
  • Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs in Special Education.
  • Multiple-Subject General Education (elementary).
  • Single-Subject General Education in Math, Science, Social Studies, English, or World Languages.
  • Special Education (SPED) internships are currently unavailable.

What are the academic prerequisites?

  • Meeting Basic Skills Requirement.
  • Registering for Subject Matter Requirement before beginning; fulfilling requirement before TLP 2.
  • Meeting Basic Skills Requirement.
  • Fulfilling Subject Matter Requirement.
  • Completing Pre-Internship Clinical Experience or CGU’s Residency Pathway.
  • Passing TLP 1 and Foundations in Education for Interns.

What documentation is required to start?

  • LiveScan & DOJ Clearance.
  • Proof of TB negative status.
  • U.S. Constitution Requirement fulfillment.
  • Livescan & DOJ clearance.
  • Proof of TB negative status.
  • U.S. Constitution Requirement fulfillment.

Can I earn an MA in Education simultaneously?

  • Yes. CGU candidates earn their credential and MA in Education simultaneously.
  • Math candidates can opt for an additional MS in Mathematics.
  • An MA/MS with a credential generally results in a higher initial pay level.
  • Yes. CGU candidates earn their credential and MA in Education simultaneously.
  • Math candidates have the option to earn an additional MS in Mathematics.
  • An MA/MS with a credential generally results in a higher initial pay level.

Can I transfer units from another graduate program?

  • Transfer is allowed for elective units only.
  • A maximum of 6 units may be transferred.
  • Transfer of units is possible but limited to elective unit requirements.
  • Interns typically have 2 elective units available for transfer.
Eligibility

To be eligible for admission to one of Claremont Graduate University’s teacher education programs, you must have:

  • Completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Met the Subject Matter Skills requirement by passing the California Basic Education Skills Tests (CBEST), or qualify by an alternative option. (Contact an admissions representative for more details.)

You will go through a central interview and reference check process before being admitted. Invitations to interview are extended once basic eligibility requirements are confirmed.

Program Components

Graduate and Clinical Coursework

  • Teaching and Learning Process Series (4 parts): These courses are virtual and synchronous, blending culturally responsive theory with practical applications. They culminate in an MA Thesis/Capstone Ethnographic Narrative Project, preparing you to depeen your commitment to and understanding of critical social justice teaching.
  • Literacy & Methods Series (2 parts): Dive into the pedagogy of your chosen credential area through these virtual, synchronous classes. They are essential for developing enriching teaching skills.
  • Teaching Performance Assessment Class (2 parts): This component offers both synchronous and asynchronous learning to support you in meeting California’s credentialing requirements.
  • Elective Courses and Special Education Seminars: Depending on your pathway, choose from various electives or engage in seminars focused on Special Education practices, offered both virtually and in person.

Clinical Experiences

  • Standard Residency: Spend at least 20 hours/week as a Resident in a classroom, consistently with the same Mentor Teacher for a full year. This setting is supported and evaluated by a CGU Clinical Faculty Advisor.
  • Funded Residency: Throughout the year, you’ll be working full-time at a school site, as a Resident in a classroom of a Mentor Teacher for a full year and in another capacity (varies based on placement) with expert guidance. This setting is also supported and evaluated by a CGU Clinical Faculty Advisor.

The Teacher Education program is an online program that may not meet student visa requirements. Additionally, the program is designed to prepare California K12 school teachers. Graduates without U.S. work visas will likely find it difficult to find employment opportunities in California K12 schools.

Request information about the Teacher Education (Online) program

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Carina Navarro

Assistant Director of Admissions
T: 909-607-0201
E: carina.navarro@cgu.edu