Teaching, Preliminary Teaching Credentials, M.A.
The School of Education offers a specially designed Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree that includes one/two of the four preliminary teaching credentials approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing:
- Multiple Subject - Teaching credential program designed for candidates seeking to teach at the elementary grade levels or in P - Adult self-contained, general education classrooms.
- Single Subject - Teaching credential program designed for candidates seeking to teach at the junior high, middle school, or high school levels or in a departmentalized setting serving grades P - Adult.
- Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs (Education Specialist) - Teaching credential program related to services for individuals with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, mild/moderate or moderate/severe disabilities, other health impairment, and autism spectrum disorders.
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Completing credential courses does not guarantee the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) will issue a credential. If any requirements for a preliminary credential are altered by the CTC during the candidate’s program, the candidate will be held responsible for those requirements in accordance with regulations designated by this accrediting agency.
The M.A.T. is offered in two (2) phases to candidates who hold a Bachelor’s degree:
- Phase I consists of 23-38 units of coursework and 10 units of clinical practice (student teaching) culminating in a preliminary teaching credential (33-48 units). The candidate is not required to finish Phase II of the M.A.T. degree in order to earn the preliminary credential.
- Phase II usually takes place after a candidate has obtained the preliminary credential and has obtained a first teaching position. Phase II consists of 9-15 units, depending on the program, for a total of 48-57 units.
Program Learning Outcomes
Candidates who complete the Master of Arts in Teaching, Preliminary Teaching Credentials and Professional Services Credentials will be able to:
Equip
- Promote the success of all students by being servant leaders who serve collaboratively and effectively with professional excellence, honesty, integrity, and sensitivity.
Transform
- Demonstrate the positive power of diversity and advocacy for universal social justice within their classrooms, schools, districts, and communities; and
- Apply faith-based influences and beliefs within educational organizations.
Empower
- Reflect and engage in on-going scholarly, professional, and spiritual growth; and
- Serve effectively as research-based, transformational leaders within their classrooms, schools, districts, and communities.
Program Eligibility for the Master of Arts in Teaching and Preliminary Teaching Credentials
- Basic Skills Requirement: Senate Bill 153 (Cap. 38, Stats 2024), effective June 29, 2024, makes two changes to the California Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). Specifically, the bill adds a provision that allows possession of a bachelor's (or higher) degree earned at an accredited college of university to meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR). The bill also removes the BSR as a requirement for earning any credential or permit where the applicant must hold a bachelor's degree. Applicants for the "Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers" or other documents which do not require possession of a bachelor's degree or higher will be required to show proof of meeting the Basic Skills Requirement;
- Demonstrate progress towards meeting the Subject Matter Competency Requirement through one of the options available under AB 130:
- Subject Matter Competency met via degree match and confirmed by Point Loma Nazarene University Credential Analysts
- Subject Matter Competency coursework review completed by Point Loma Nazarene University Credential Analysts
- Proof of registration for CSET exam
- Education and Grade-Point Average: Teacher candidates must have completed a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.000 is required in order to be admitted into the M.A.T. or credential(s) housed within the degree program. Candidates with a cumulative grade point average lower than 3.000 may apply for “Admission under Exception”.
- Two or more letters of recommendation from appropriate persons who have the knowledge of the applicant’s character and ability to work with children or youth. (References from friends or relatives are not appropriate);
- An interview with the appropriate program director or Admissions chair.
Applicants who do not meet the above standards but can demonstrate that they have an exceptionally rich experiential background and/or have demonstrated dramatic change in academic performance may petition the School of Education to review their status.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Common Courses Required of all Multiple, Single, and Education Specialist Preliminary Credentials | ||
| EDU 6000 | Foundations of Education and Learning Theory | 3 |
| EDU 6001 | Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations 1 | 3 |
| EDU 6002 | Foundations of Special Education 1 | 3 |
| EDU 6003 | Classroom Assessment and Research Practices | 3 |
| EDU 6018A | Trauma-Informed Care and Classroom Management | 1 |
| EDU 6018B | Culturally-Responsive Planning and Teaching | 1 |
| Preliminary Credentials | ||
| Select one (1) from the following: | 19-37 | |
| Total Units | 33-51 | |
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Course requires 20 clock hours of observation and participation specific to culturally and linguistically diverse learners in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting.
Total Common Courses Required for all Preliminary Credentials: 13 Units
Teacher Education candidates who have completed fourteen (14) units of Education coursework at Point Loma Nazarene University required for their bachelor’s degree may complete the remainder of the teaching credential within the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, requiring the addition of the Reading and Literacy Added Authorization nine (9) units and six (6) elective units to complete the M.A.T. degree.
Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Intern Program
A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential enables a candidate to teach in a self-contained (K-Adult) classroom in California. Candidates receive coursework in educational research and theory as well as methodology in reading, language arts, and mathematics. Credential requirements are subject to change based on state and federal requirements which supersede any existing catalog requirements.
Candidates for the Multiple Subject credential must complete the 13 units listed above under Common Courses.
Program Learning Outcomes
Candidates who complete the Master of Arts in Teaching (Multiple Subject) program will be able to:
Equip
- Promote the success of all students by being a servant leader who serves collaboratively and effectively with professional excellence, honesty, integrity, and sensitivity.
Transform
- Engage in ways of thinking and being to embrace the positive power of diversity and advocacy for universal social justice within their classrooms, schools, districts, and communities; and
- Apply faith-based influences and beliefs within educational organizations.
Empower
- Reflect and engage in on-going scholarly, professional, and spiritual growth; and
- Serve effectively as a research-based transformational leader within their classrooms, schools, districts, and communities.
Multiple Subject Specific Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6010 | Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing 1 | 3 |
| EDU 6011 | Interdisciplinary Approaches to Teaching in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDU 6012 | Differentiated Mathematics Instruction for All Learners 2 | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
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Course requires 20 clock hours of participation in a classroom specific to literacy instruction in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting. Candidates work with a small group in the area of literacy under the direction of a cooperating teacher.
- 2
Course requires 20 clock hours of observation and participation specific to math instruction in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting.
Clinical Practice
Clinical Practice is the culminating experience in which candidates work full time in classrooms under the guidance of cooperating teachers in public or private schools assigned by the field experience coordinator at the branch campus.
Traditional Candidates take:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6030 | Elementary Clinical Practice I (CalTPA Cycle 1) | 4 |
| EDU 6034 | Elementary Clinical Practice II (CalTPA Cycle 2) | 4 |
| EDU 60CP1 | Clinical Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 60CP2 | Clinical Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| Total Units | 10 | |
Or Candidates who are under an intern contract with a school district take:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6032 | Intern Elementary Clinical Practice I (CalTPA Cycle 1) | 4 |
| EDU 6036 | Intern Elementary Clinical Practice II (CalTPA Cycle 2) | 4 |
| EDU 60CP1 | Clinical Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 60CP2 | Clinical Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| Intern Support Courses 1 | 3-27 | |
| Individual Support,Individual Support (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Individual Support,Individual Support (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Individual Development Plan,Individual Development Plan (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Group Intern Support | ||
| Classroom Management Seminar | ||
| Effective Instruction Seminar | ||
| Intern Support Seminar | ||
| Intern Support Seminar | ||
| TPA Support | ||
| TPA Support | ||
| Total Units | 13-37 | |
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This series of courses is designed to support intern educators with just-in-time learning to support classroom management and effective instruction practice. There are nine (9) support seminars to assist intern educators in the classroom which may be taken in sequence or as needed. The intern is required to take three (3) units of intern support each quad until all credentialing requirements are completed.
Total Multiple Subject Clinical Practice Courses: 10+ Units
Total Units Required for M.A.T. Phase I for Multiple Subject Candidates: 33 Units + Up to 18 additional units for Interns
Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential and Intern Program
Individuals who plan to teach at the secondary level pursue the Single Subject credential in an approved discipline of their choice. A Single Subject credential enables a candidate to teach in a departmentalized (P-Adult) classroom. Credential requirements are subject to change based on state and federal requirements which supersede any existing catalog requirements.
Candidates for the Single Subject credential must complete the 13 units listed above under Common Courses.
Program Learning Outcomes
Candidates who complete the Master of Arts in Teaching (Single Subject) program will be able to:
Equip
- Possess the skills and dispositions to develop instructional plans and engage students in content-specific learning experiences that lead to improved student outcomes.
Transform
- Possess the skills and dispositions to promote the learning of diverse learners at the secondary level;
- Utilize subject-specific pedagogy, content-related literacy instruction, and developmentally appropriate instruction to support learning for all students; and
- Reflect positive personal presence, age-appropriate strategies, and research-based knowledge of adolescent psychology to create safe classroom environments that promote learning for all students.
Empower
- Analyze assessment data from instruction through thoughtful reflection that informs professional practice for continual improvement.
Single Subject Specific Courses
The Single Subject Content Methods courses (EDU 6022-EDU 6029) consist of 15 hours of assigned coursework and 30 hours with a subject-specific mentor. Candidates should contact their program advisor about dates for these courses.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6020 | Literacy Instruction for Secondary Teachers | 3 |
| EDU 6021 | General Methods for Secondary Teachers | 3 |
| Choose one (1) of the content-specific pedagogy courses: | 3 | |
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Language Arts | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Science | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Social Science | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Foreign Language | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Visual Arts | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Physical Education | ||
| Content-Specific Pedagogy for Secondary Teachers 1 | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
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EDU 6029 is offered for content areas that are not listed in EDU 6022-EDU 6028 (i.e., Business, Music, Health, and Home Economics).
Clinical Practice
Traditional Candidates take:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6040 | Secondary Clinical Practice I (CalTPA Cycle 1) | 4 |
| EDU 6044 | Secondary Clinical Practice II (CalTPA Cycle 2) | 4 |
| EDU 60CP1 | Clinical Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 60CP2 | Clinical Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| Total Units | 10 | |
Candidates who are under an intern contract with a school district take:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6042 | Intern Secondary Clinical Practice I (CalTPA Cycle 1) | 4 |
| EDU 6046 | Intern Secondary Clinical Practice II (CalTPA Cycle 2) | 4 |
| EDU 60CP1 | Clinical Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 60CP2 | Clinical Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| Intern Support Courses 1 | 3-27 | |
| Individual Support,Individual Support (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Individual Support,Individual Support (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Individual Development Plan,Individual Development Plan (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Group Intern Support | ||
| Classroom Management Seminar | ||
| Effective Instruction Seminar | ||
| Intern Support Seminar | ||
| Intern Support Seminar | ||
| TPA Support | ||
| TPA Support | ||
| Total Units | 13-37 | |
- 1
This series of courses is designed to support intern educators with just-in-time learning to support classroom management and effective instruction practice. There are nine (9) support seminars to assist intern educators in the classroom which may be taken in sequence or as needed. The intern is required to take (3) units of intern support each quad until all credentialing requirements are completed.
Total Single Subject Clinical Practice Courses: 10+ Units
Total Units Required for M.A.T. Phase I for Single Subject Candidates: 33 Units +Up to 18 additional units for Interns
Dual Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6010 | Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing 1 | 3 |
| ESP 6061 | Supportive Environments and Plans for Students with Exceptionalities 1 | 3 |
| ESP 6062 | Assessments and Case Management 1 | 3 |
| ESP 6063 | Self-Determination and Partnerships: Keys to Successful Transitions 1 | 3 |
| ESP 6064 | Multidisciplinary Collaboration and IEP Development 1 | 3 |
| ESP 6065 | Social-Emotional, Communicative Strategies, and Behavior Supports 1 | 3 |
| ESP 6066 | High Leverage Practices for Inclusive Environments 1 | 3 |
| Choose one (1) course from the following: | 3 | |
| Differentiated Mathematics Instruction for All Learners | ||
| General Methods for Secondary Teachers 2 | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
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Courses require 200 clock hours of participation in classrooms with specific course designed instruction in culturally diverse and inclusive school settings. Candidates work with a small group in the area of specialized activities under the direction of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor.
- 2
Course requires 20 clock hours of observation and participation specific to content area teaching strategies in a culturally diverse and inclusive school setting.
Traditional Candidates take:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 60CP1 | Clinical Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 60CP2 | Clinical Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| ESP 6070 | Education Specialist Clinical Practice I | 4 |
| ESP 6074 | Education Specialist Clinical Practice II | 4 |
| Total Units | 10 | |
Candidates who are under an intern contract with a school district take:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 60CP1 | Clinical Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| EDU 60CP2 | Clinical Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| ESP 6072 | Education Specialist Clinical Practice I (Intern) | 4 |
| ESP 6076 | Education Specialist Clinical Practice II (Intern) | 4 |
| Intern Support Courses 1 | 3-27 | |
| Individual Support,Individual Support (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Individual Support,Individual Support (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Individual Development Plan,Individual Development Plan (EdSp Credential Only) | ||
| Group Intern Support | ||
| Classroom Management Seminar | ||
| Effective Instruction Seminar | ||
| Intern Support Seminar | ||
| Intern Support Seminar | ||
| TPA Support | ||
| TPA Support | ||
| Total Units | 13-37 | |
- 1
This series of courses is designed to support intern educators with just-in-time learning to support classroom management and effective instruction practice. There are nine (9) support seminars to assist intern educators in the classroom which may be taken in sequence or as needed. The intern is required to take (3) units of intern support each quad until all credentialing requirements are completed.
Total: 10+ Units
The California Teaching Performance Assessments (CalTPA)
The School of Education implements the CalTPA as one of several measures to assess candidate proficiency and the preliminary credential program effectiveness for all preliminary credential programs. The CTC requires that all credential candidates pass the Teaching Performance Assessment before applying for a teaching credential as defined in Standard 19 of the 2042 credential document.
Information about TPA
All preliminary teacher candidates at Point Loma Nazarene University in Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Special Education programs are required to participate in the CalTPA program.
The CalTPA process is an integrated part of the clinical practice experience.
All candidates are required to follow the calendar and deadlines of the CalTPA process and must receive an acceptable score on both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 to be recommended for a teaching credential.
The Teacher Education Assessment Fee includes all assessment services except a second attempt of the Cycles.
The content of the two cycles will be introduced and practiced throughout the preliminary credential course of study following an intentional course sequence.
Teacher Performance Assessments
Every teaching credential candidate in the School of Education at PLNU must attempt and receive an acceptable score on the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA) in order to be recommended to the CCTC for a preliminary teaching credential. This requirement includes teacher candidates in Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and the Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs (Education Specialist) credentials.
This requirement began with the passage of SB2042 in 1998, which mandates that candidates must successfully pass an assessment of their performance with respect to the Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). PLNU employs an assessment model that is comprised of Cycle 1 (Instruction) and Cycle 2 (Assessment, Unit of Instruction and Technology).
Candidates who are not successful on their first attempts on either Cycle must enroll in GED 6091 or one (1) unit to re-mediate and re-submit the failed Cycle a second time (up to once for each Cycle). There is no allowance for a third attempt on the TPA.
Candidates will receive direct instruction about each cycle within their courses.
Title II Information
According to federal regulations, all accredited departments, schools, and colleges of education are required to report information regarding their candidates’ passing rates on examinations. A summary of the passage rates may be found on the PLNU web site at www.pointloma.edu/education
Graduation Requirements
In order to earn and receive a Master of Arts in Teaching, Preliminary Teaching Credentials degree, a candidate must satisfy all of the following:
- A completed Application for Program Completion (online or in the Office of the Registrar, Point Loma campus);
- Satisfactory completion of the prescribed course of study with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.000 or higher;
- Completion of the approved graduate program consisting of a minimum of 46 units;
- A recommendation from the credential analyst and director of the Branch Campus;
- Payment in full of all tuition, fees, and other financial obligations owed to the university, including a degree processing fee; and
- All requirements for graduate degrees must be completed within an eight (8)-year period from the time of initial enrollment in the program.