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Walden University offers the flexibility of online education. Educational excellence has made Walden University the leading master's in education school for working professionals and can bring you closer to a teaching career in California.
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Is Teaching in California Right for You?
By Dana Larsen
If you are looking for a teaching career and like the idea of year-round sunshine, teaching in California might be the right choice for you. California continues to face a teacher shortage, with special education teachers, science teachers and math teachers in the most demand. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the need for teachers in these fields to grow faster than average in the California marketplace, so the "Land of Golden Opportunities" not only has palm trees and Hollywood, but also offers promising careers in education.
Whether you'd like to work in sunny San Diego or suburban San Francisco, California offers a plethora of teaching opportunities. Discover the credential requirements today and achieve a rewarding teaching career tomorrow. There are many opportunities for well-paying, satisfying teaching jobs in California. If you would like to become a teacher, browse our directory of accredited California Teaching Programs.
Steps to a California Teaching Credential
- Obtain a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. You don't need to have a degree in education to get a teaching credential. A degree in any major will qualify you for most programs. If you're interested in teaching high school math, a degree in math will be beneficial.
- Begin a Teacher Preparation Program approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Make sure your program is approved. All California school districts have different requirements, so check out the school district you're interested in and look at their teaching requirements.
- Get classroom teaching experience. Classroom experience is a basic part of learning how to teach. All California teacher preparation programs include at least one semester of student teaching.
- Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST). For more information on the CBEST, please see the Useful Links section.
- Complete the US Constitution Course. Every California teacher has to pass this course before receiving a credential. You can pass an exam in the subject given by a regionally accredited college or university or you can complete a course. Applicants from the interstate agreement states are considered to have successfully met the US Constitution requirement.
- Pass the Subject Matter Competency Exam (CSET). For more information on the CSET, please see the Useful Links section.
- Apply for your California teaching credential. Get started today by browsing our directory of accredited teaching credential schools.
Additional California Teaching Credential Information
- The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) has a two-tier credential structure. A five-year preliminary credential is the first credential issued after you meet basic credential requirements. A professional clear credential is issued when all requirements have been completed.
- You must complete either a Professional Teacher Induction Program or obtain a National Board Certificate for both elementary education and secondary education. Here is a list of the different requirements for each specialty:
- For elementary school, you need a multiple subject teaching credential. In addition to the California basic credential requirements, elementary education specialties also require a reading instruction course, a computer technology course and a Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
- For secondary school, you need a single subject teaching credential. In addition to the California basic credential requirements, secondary education specialties also require an English language skills course, a foundational computer technology course and the completion of approved single subject programs. - To teach special education in California, you must have an Education Specialist Instruction Credential. There are different areas of specialization in settings that vary from special education schools to hospital settings. In addition to the California basic credential requirements and the education specialist credential, you must also complete the RICA Test and English language skills. A Professional Level II credential is also required to teach special education in California. To meet this requirement, you need to:
- Complete an individualized induction plan, a course in Health Education and a course in Computer Education.
- Provide verification of at least two years of successful experience in a public or private school.
- Receive a formal recommendation for the credential by the college or university where your induction plan was completed. - Some schools also require Bilingual / Crosscultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD / BCLAD). These exams measure each examinee's knowledge and skills in relation to an established standard. There are six different exams and the passing score for each test was established by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. If you are certified bilingual, you have the opportunity to make more money in certain teaching environments. For more information on CLAD / BCLAD, see the Useful Links section.
- If you hold or are qualified to hold a credential in another state, you may be able to apply for a preliminary credential. To learn more about California credentials, please visit the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website under the Useful Links section.
*Remember that while all California credentials have similar basic requirements, some specialties require additional education or experience, so be sure to research the specific requirements for the teaching degree that interests you.
School Spotlight
Chapman University offers high quality education standards, small class sizes and convenient location and class times with an exceptional education value. Chapman can help you transform your field knowledge and enthusiasm to successfully educate future generations. Chapman understands and is committed to the importance of creating successful and prepared teachers.
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