CEIS Offers New Combined Credential and Master’s Degree Program

Students can now save time and money by earning both their teaching credential and master’s degree through a combined program offered by the College of Education and Integrative Studies.

Prior to the implementation of the combined program, students were required to earn a bachelor’s degree and teaching credential before enrolling into the master’s program, which in some cases, added an additional year and a half of school.

Some of the benefits of pursuing a master’s degree include higher pay and advancement opportunities. According to the California Department of Education, a teacher in Los Angeles County with a master’s degree and credential can earn up to $14,000 more per year.

“The change to semesters has allowed us to redesign our two programs to make them more complementary and easier for students to earn both the credential and master’s degree,” said Professor Richard Navarro, graduate coordinator. “The master’s degree typically takes three or four semesters. Therefore, students will be reducing the time towards the master’s degree by two or three semesters depending on how many master’s courses are taken while in the credential program.”

The combined program applies to all teaching credentials in CEIS, including single subject, multiple subject, education specialist and administrative services credentials.  The single subject credential types include: art, biological sciences, chemistry, English, geosciences, mathematics, Mathematics Foundation Level, music, physical education, adapted physical education, physics, science foundation level general, social sciences and world languages (Spanish).

The Master of Arts in Education degree currently offers three emphases: Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education and Educational Leadership (requires an administrative services credential).

Depending on how many master’s courses are taken while completing the credential program, students can earn both in less than two years.

According to Professor Navarro, students must first enter the teaching credential program and complete the credential to earn the master’s degree; students are eligible to take master’s courses while they are in the credential program – even before being formally admitted to the graduate program; and, students may transfer up to three courses (9 semester units), which are determined at the time students complete their master’s contract with the program coordinator.

For more information about the combined credential and master’s program, contact Rebecca Briseno at 909-869-3452 or email rbriseno@cpp.edu.