Through its mentor-guided clinical component, the MA in Education with a California Teaching Credential in Special Education prepares highly skilled special education instructors who are ready to hit the ground running.
We believe the best way to prepare great teachers is through real-world experience. In addition to teaching in theory and methods, our program’s internship component provides a paid, mentor-guided teaching experience in a K–12 setting, where every assignment and class is designed to develop the unique skills and strategies you’ll need to succeed in the special education environment. Our program lets you earn your MA in Education while simultaneously getting your Preliminary Special Education credential. You’ll be mentored by seasoned special education veterans, many of whom have taken time out of the special education arena to pursue doctoral work or to participate in research projects.
Our candidates simultaneously earn their master of arts degree and one of the following credentials:
- Preliminary Special Education Credential: For those who want to work with students who have disabilities.
- Expedited Special Education Program for General Educators: For the general educator who wants to earn a Preliminary Education Specialist Credential.
Program Highlights
- Our teacher candidates must meet a clinical requirement in three out of four terms, translating to 42 weeks’ invaluable classroom experience—compared to six or seven weeks in standard programs.
- Each qualified student admitted to the program will be awarded a $20,000 California Future Teachers Fellowship.
- Teacher candidates who complete the program through the CGU internship typically earn an average of $48,000 annually within months of starting coursework.
- CGU’S Teacher Education Program has built strong relationships with more than 150 school districts, which recognize that CGU has a reputation for producing high-quality teachers; the result is ample internship opportunities for our student-teachers.
- Within five years of earning a Preliminary Credential in California, a teacher must earn a Clear Credential from an approved Induction Program. CGU has both a Preliminary Credential Program and an Induction Program.
- CGU’s Induction Program can jump-start advanced study by enabling you to earn units applicable to an MA or PhD from the School of Educational Studies.
