Explore Grad School

If you want to teach in California, we recommend that you research the requirements of the path which you are interested in pursuing early on, as each path has a specific set of requirements. Your steps will be different depending on your interest in becoming credentialed in the state of California or teaching through an alternative pathway, including national service programs or teacher residency programs. 

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) provides you with information related to the type of credentialing needed to teach in elementary, secondary, and special education in public schools. Using this resource, you can search for information on traditional teacher education programs, alternative certification or district intern programs, and substitute teaching.

You can also use the resource Teach California to gain information about the teaching profession, specifically addressing the shortage of special education, mathematics, and science teachers, explaining the teacher preparation process, and assisting prospective teachers with planning to become credentialed teachers.

Because teacher credentials differ between states, understand the specific requirements by researching the credentialing and licensing process for the state in which you are interested in working. 

• TeacherCertificationDegrees.com: Great resource to get started in learning about teaching in another state.
• Teach.com: Provides current and aspiring teachers with a navigable map outlining steps to become a teacher. It also includes teacher salaries, teacher preparation and certification requirements for all 50 states as well as teaching abroad. It focuses on providing information on online preparation programs. 
• Teacher Certification Degrees: Presents you with guides and resources to teach you about the requirements needed to become a teacher, and your educational options for all 50 states.

If you ever move to another state, you will need to apply for a new license in that state. You may be able to apply for teacher certification reciprocity, which would provide you with additional time to complete that state’s licensure requirements while teaching under a temporary license. However, this is not an automatic process, and the guidelines vary. 

One of the first decisions to make about TEPs is whether you are interested in acquiring your teaching credential only or you would like to obtain a master’s degree. A Master of Arts in Teaching provides you with extra preparation for the classroom and allows you to be placed higher on the pay scale. Check out the Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master in Education article for details about the differences between master's degree options.

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Need more clarity on your general career goals? Be sure to browse our Self-Assessment page for personal insights.

To find TEPs in California, use the Approved Institutions and Programs search tool by the California Commission of Teacher Credentials (CTC). This page is the primary source of information on all aspects of teacher credentials in California.

To understand a few examples of TEPs, you can look into the UCSB Gevirtz Graduate School of Education Teacher Education Program and the California State University Teacher and Educator Degrees & Credentials. Programs usually offer thorough information on their websites and upcoming information sessions.

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Check out our Grad School 101 for general tips and resources about the process of searching for programs.

Teaching Credential programs generally require two to three graduate admissions tests, which you should plan to take approximately one year before your anticipated program start date. The three most likely to be required are the CBEST, CSET, and GRE. The school’s catalog and graduate application will specify which tests you will need to take, and, in some cases, an indication of the score needed to be competitive for the program. Before you fill out the test application, you will need to know the graduate schools to which you will be applying. 

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Whether or not you need to take the GRE depends on the graduate program that you are applying to. Some (but not all) schools require it for admission. Note that some TEPs allow you to take the Millers Analogies Test (MAT) in lieu of the GRE. 

Basic Skills Requirement: The most common way to satisfy the basic skills requirement is by obtaining a passing score on the CBEST. Additional ways to satisfy this requirement include obtaining a passing score on the CSET (test #142), SAT (minimum score of 550 math and 500 english), ACT (minimum score of 23 for math and 22 english), or AP examinations (minimum score of 3 in Calculus AB/BC or Statistics for Math and English Lang and Comp or Eng Lit and Comp for English).

Subject Matter Competency: Take a CSET Subtest for each subject that you want to teach. Review the Subject Matter Competency Requirements to find the exams that you need to take. In lieu of the CSET, you may be able to submit a subject matter waiver letter from an approved credential analyst, depending on the subject and coursework that you have completed. If you are interested in teaching secondary mathematics, UCSB undergraduate students who complete the Subject Matter Preparation Program in Mathematics can get their CSET in Mathematics waived. 

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For more information about the GRE, CBEST, and CSET, review our Entrance Exams page. Additionally, the California Educator Credentialing Assessments provides you with information about California educator credentialing examinations (e.g., CBEST and CSET), including information on test dates and locations, preparation materials, and registration for the assessments. 

All graduate schools will require anywhere from two to five letters of recommendation from professors or employers. Applicants pursuing a teaching credential immediately after their undergraduate work will want the majority of their letters to be from professors. At least one of your letters should be from a faculty member. Additionally, it would be ideal to include at least one letter from a teacher under whom you have accrued your prerequisite teaching experience. 

Letters of recommendation should be specifically directed toward your application for admission to TEPs. They should focus upon areas that directly pertain to your potential as a graduate student and as a prospective teacher. Approach your references early and give them at least one month’s notice to draft and submit their letters of recommendation.

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Review our Letters of Recommendation page for a deeper understanding of this topic.

The statement of purpose is your opportunity to convince the admissions committee that you are qualified and a good candidate for their teacher education program. Be prepared to write an essay or statement on your background in interests as they pertain to teaching. 

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Look through our Essays page for a guide on writing statements of purpose and other admissions essays.

Many TEPs require that you meet a minimum number of hours in the classroom or working with youth by the time you apply. This differs depending on the program, but generally you should have a minimum of 20-40 hours. You also need to satisfy the U.S. Constitution requirement with a course equivalency (e.g., History 17A or Political Science 12 at UCSB) or passing the U.S. Constitution Exam at an approved institution. Many schools also require an in-person interview. Review each application checklist for any school that you are interested in to ensure that you complete all the requirements. 

Your application should demonstrate your interest in becoming a teacher, and your capability to handle graduate-level work. Pay close attention to all of the application requirements and deadlines to ensure that you have a complete application.