Teacher Credential + Master of Science in Education (MS)

A Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required to apply to our graduate programs. Dominican Teaching Credential Candidates must be located in the state of California in order to complete the California Teaching Credential fieldwork requirements.

1. Completed Application — Apply now!
2. Official Transcript(s)
   Official transcript of coursework from each college or university attended (undergraduate and graduate). Find complete instructions on how to submit your transcripts to Dominican here.
3. Resume
4. Statement of Purpose or Intent
   Please respond to each of the following in a typed essay:
   • Why have you chosen teaching as a profession?
   • What assets do you bring to the profession?
   • What is your experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion?
5. Completed Certificate of Clearance (COC) or Valid Credential
   All credential candidates must have current fingerprint records and an approved background check on file with the CTC. Fingerprint information (COC).
   • Complete the Request for Live Scan Services Form. 
   • Complete the Live Scan (fingerprinting) process at a local law enforcement agency. 
   • Apply for a COC.
   • When you have been granted a COC, forward your CTC Certificate of Clearance to your admissions counselor.

_{Please note: Criminal background checks, or information relating to a student’s criminal background, are not used as part of the admissions process at Dominican University of California (DUOC). Students should be aware that some programs train students to sit for the State of California or national licensure and certification examinations that qualify them to work in the field relating to their program of choice.}

_{The following programs constitute a list of 2021/2022 DUOC programs that train for licensure or certification: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physicians Assistants, Counseling Psychology, Art Therapy (Marriage & Family Therapy), and Education.} 

_{Students with questions relating to criminal background requirements, who wish to enroll in these programs at DUOC should speak to an Academic Advisor and reference the specific qualifications for degree completion, and license or certification.} 

The following items are not required for admission, but are required to be completed during, or prior to starting, the program.

1. Meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR)
   The Basic Skills Requirement is not required for admission into the program, however, all credential candidates must fulfill this requirement before starting the student teaching practicum. The Basic Skills  Requirement may be met by any of the following methods:
   • Passing the CBEST
   • Passing the Multiple Subject CSET plus the CSET Writing Skills subtest
   • Submitting your official College Board SAT (English score of 500 or above and a Math score of 550 or above)
   • Submitting your official ACT (English score of 22 or above and a Math score of 23 or above)
   • Submitting College Board AP Examinations (Scores of 3 or above, contact Admissions for approved exams)
   • Earned CSU EAP ("College Ready" or "Exempt")
   • Submit CSU Placement Exams (EPT score of 151 or above and a ELM score of 50 or above)
   • Submit official college transcripts for evaluation by the Credential Analyst (see AB 130 note below)
     Additionally, in 2021, AB 130 established two new options for individuals to meet the Basic Skills Requirement:
   • To determine if you meet the BSR by Coursework Pathway option (or coursework/exam combination pathway option), submit a BSR Evaluation Request to Dominican's Credential Analyst. 
     • For more information on the specific requirements related to these new options, please see the Commission’s webpage: Basic Skills Requirement (CL-667).
2. Meet the Subject Matter Competency (SMC) Requirements
   The Subject Matter Competency (SMC) requirement is not required for admission into the program, however, this requirement must be met prior to student teaching.
   • Earning a degree from an accredited college or university in the exact subject area for which a credential is being sought (i.e., English Degree for Subject Matter Authorization to teach English; or a degree in Liberal Studies for Subject Matter Authorization to teach Multiple Subjects in an elementary school classroom. 
   • Completing a CTC approved undergraduate teacher preparation program. 

   • Passing the CSETs in the desired Subject Matter authorization.
      

   SMC will be verified by the Credential Analyst subsequent to your admission into the program. 
3. Child and Adolescent Development (CAD) Course
   (Recommended that this course be taken prior to the end of the first semester.) Please review our list of acceptable CAD courses.

_{Please note: Criminal background checks, or information relating to a student’s criminal background, are not used as part of the admissions process at Dominican University of California (DUOC). Students should be aware that some programs train students to sit for the State of California or national licensure and certification examinations that qualify them to work in the field relating to their program of choice.}

_{The following programs constitute a list of 2021/2022 DUOC programs that train for licensure or certification: Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physicians Assistants, Counseling Psychology, Art Therapy (Marriage & Family Therapy), and Education.} 

_{Students with questions relating to criminal background requirements, who wish to enroll in these programs at DUOC should speak to an Academic Advisor and reference the specific qualifications for degree completion, and license or certification.} 

If an application deadline falls on a weekend and/or holiday, applications will be accepted through the end of the next business day.

Scholarships and grants are types of aid that do not have to be repaid and that can help to directly reduce your tuition expenses. 

Masters in Education graduate students are eligible for several Graduate Admissions scholarships when they meet the priority application deadline. We also offer a Teachers of Color Scholarship to qualified applicants. You may also visit Outside Scholarships to learn more about local, public and private scholarships. 

Tuition and Aid

Learn about tuition per unit, additional fees and total tuition.

We'll also show you how a Dominican education is more affordable than you might think with support from financial aid, scholarships and loans. 

Tuition and Aid

The Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential authorizes graduates to teach in a self-contained classroom like those in most elementary schools (K-6). Multiple subject credential holders could also be assigned to teach preschool, K-12, or classes for adults.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The Preliminary Single Subject Credential authorizes graduates to seek employment as a single-subject teacher in a secondary setting. A student authorized to teach single-subject instruction may be assigned to middle school, junior high, and senior high school levels.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The Preliminary Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Credential authorizes graduates to seek employment as a special education teacher. This includes teaching students with learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, emotional disturbances, Dyslexia and other health impairments.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Students who have received a Preliminary Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Credential (Multiple or Single Subject Credential) can add an Education Specialist Credential.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The Preliminary Education Specialist Mild/Moderate for Multiple or Single Subject Credential authorizes the holder to seek employment as a special education teacher and as a single or multiple-subject teacher.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Dominican provides full-time and part-time course offerings through the Education Master's program to fit students’ needs and schedules. Supervised student teaching and internship options in the Bay Area are also part of this immersive program.

Our Teacher Preparation Programs are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to prepare and recommend candidates for Multiple Subject, Single Subject, and Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Instruction credentials. Review the Title II Reports compiled by the CCTC for specific information regarding the Teacher Preparation Programs at Dominican, including the pass rates for CBEST and CSET. Coursework can culminate in a Master of Science in Education degree with the completion of additional units.   

Students receiving this degree are prepared for a wide range of advancement opportunities, including elementary and secondary school teaching positions, resource teaching positions, administrator roles, and school principal.

Bilingual Authorization in Spanish (formerly BCLAD) 

One pathway to earn a Bilingual Authorization is through examination. Students are able to sit for these exams while completing their credential coursework at Dominican. Test preparation resources are provided to students interested in earning their Bilingual Authorization. 

To add a Bilingual Authorization in Spanish to your teaching credential, you need to: 

• Obtain a valid California teaching credential.
• Pass the following CSET Exams: 
  1. Spanish Subtest III: Language and Communication
  2. Spanish Subtest IV: Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
  3. Spanish Subtest V: Geographic and Historical Contexts
• If you complete your exams before finishing the credential program, our Credential Analyst can include the recommendation for a Bilingual Authorization with your credential application to the CTC.

For complete details and information, please see the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) Leaflet CL-628B. For questions, please contact Julie Grellas.