You can earn your teaching credential in one year with full-time study, assessments, and verified clinical practice. (Fall, Spring and Summer)
We are currently offering the Bilingual Added Authorization that will allow teachers to work in a bilingual class or dual language academy. To review the program admissions requirements and apply, please visit Bilingual Authorization - Spanish.
We do not currently offer a Special Education Credential Program.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook for special program developments and announcements.
California Education Code identifies several ways candidates demonstrate their knowledge of subject matter they will teach in PreK-12 public schools, granted in AB 130 (Chapter 44, Statues of 2021). Options differ, depending on the credential, Review the Commission on Teacher Credentialing California Subject Matter Requirements.
Clinical practice, also known as "student teaching", allows candidates to learn from experienced educators in the classroom under their support and guidance needed to become effective educators. Candidates are evaluated against Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). Clinical practice can be completed at any public school that meets the CTC's approval. We survey our candidates and do our best to place you where you want to be.
For more information about clinical practice, visit Clinical Practice or email us at teacherprep@ucmerced.edu.
Students who have not met the Constitution requirement in their undergraduate degree will need to meet this requirement in our program. The easiest way is through an assessment online. To review listings of the US Constitution courses and online assessments, please visit US Constitution Credential Course Equivalency.
Financial aid is available if you qualify. Scholarship opportunities are also available. Learn more about financial aid and how to apply here Financial Aid at UC Merced.
The UC Merced School FAFSA Code is 041271.
Not at this immediate time, but there are plans to add this in the future.
Education Specialist Credentials and Multiple Subject Credentials are two separate programs with their own requirements set by the state of California. We can of course utilize a lot of your completed coursework and experience to grant equivalencies in our program, but there are some things that cannot be waived.
We will need your degree posted to your transcripts for both admission and Financial Aid.
The UC Merced School FAFSA Code is 041271.
Earning your masters could allow you to move into other areas in education, such as administration, but it is not a requirement in teaching K12.
Salaries are categorized by a few factors such as ADA - average daily attendance, elementary, high school or unified school districts. The most recent breakouts can be found here as a general guideline: https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/public-school-teacher-s...
Please email us at teacherprep@ucmerced.edu, and we will respond within 3 business days.
If you received a document issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (i.e., substitute permit, provisional intern permit, etc.) as a result of your fingerprinting and background check and your document is valid, then you do not need to go through this process again. If you were fingerprinted for any other purpose, you will need to get a current live scan service and complete the Certificate of Clearance process. Review directions to obtain a Certificate of Clearance here: Fingerprint Information.
There are no prerequisite courses required for admission.
The GPA requirement for those applying to the Credential program is 3.0 cumulative GPA.
If your GPA is below 3.0, you can submit the Admission by Exception form to petition your request. This form will need to be submitted after you submit your application for the term you wish to apply. Please email the completed form to extension@ucmerced.edu.
You can email us here at teacherprep@ucmerced.edu. You can also call or text us at 209-349-2354 during our normal office hours of Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or schedule a one-on-one virtual meeting.
We need further information on the particular school you are referencing to ensure that it is an approved public school setting by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. You can email us at teacherprep@ucmerced.edu or call us at 209.349.2354.
We can definitely talk you through what's required. Please schedule an appointment with us, and keep in touch so that we can guide you through the process.
The NSED minor and the TPP are partner programs. There are four courses in the NSED minor that allow you to finish sooner with less expense. You must have earned a grade of B- or higher for these courses to be applied to the Teacher Preparation Program:
The Intern Track Option allows you to complete your teacher preparation work while teaching on an Intern Credential. The Teacher Preparation Program prepares you for but will not find employment for you; you must seek this on your own.
Typically, you enter this pathway if you are currently in a paid teaching position (on a Provisional Intern Permit or a Short-Term Staff Permit) or if you have been offered one. While in the program and completing courses and assessments, you will move into Internship status as soon as you are eligible. To view eligibility requirements, visit Intern Track Options.
You will need to provide your completed this Prior Experience Verification Form and list all the NSED courses you've taken. Upon graduating, your official UC Merced transcripts will demonstrate you successfully completed the fieldwork hours.
Students who successfully complete the NSED Minor can complete the program in two terms with full-time study. Typically, it will take fall, spring, and summer terms to complete.
All of our summer classes are online, and for the Fall and Spring semesters, you have the option to choose either distance or in-person modalities.
Our classes are offered as either in-person or virtual for the regular spring and fall semesters. For summer session, all the classes are virtual.
It is possible that NSED minor participants could finish the program in less than a year. You can learn more about the NSED pathway here: UC Merced NSED Minor
Please schedule an apointment so that we can give you individualized attention to walk you through the process.
Students enrolled in the Residency Program are guaranteed courses that are scheduled to be completed in three semester terms and progressing through the program as a cohort. Throughout the program, candidates work with experienced teachers, learning to teach in classrooms serving students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
All applicants to the Residency Program must meet the minimum requirements for entrance to the Credential Program. In addition, due to limited space available, applicants are selected based on criteria that include academic record, experience in the field they are pursuing, collaboration skills, and potential to successfully complete the residency program.
The Residency Program is a full-time, three-semester program with intensive coursework and extensive field experiences. Residency candidates who do work MUST be able to arrange their work schedules to enable them to participate fully in the residency program.
Financial aid is available to all students in the Residency Program who qualify. Financial aid opportunities include regular grants, loans, and student loans. Visit the Financial Aid Office website for more information.
No. The Residency Program Coordinator will place each teacher candidate with a qualified teacher in a participating residency school in one of thse regions: Los Angeles County, Merced County, the San Francisco Bay area and other approved sites.
No. Residency candidates complete their field experiences and Clinical Practice under a traditional model of clinical practice and are placed with veteran teachers who guide and mentor teacher candidates during the experience. Residency participants do receive a compensation package of $24,087 for participation in the program.
As a general rule, classes for the Residency Program are offered in the late afternoon and evening, beginning at 4:00 PM. This schedule leaves time for residency candidates to complete fieldwork and clinical practice during the daytime hours when schools are in session.
Yes. All candidates are required to complete or show proof of completion of 24 units in early childhood education or child development as required to teach TK. This program will provide access to UCLA Extension’s 24 units in ECE in an asynchronous format.
Yes. Candidates will be evaluated for completion of any ECE units during the admissions process to determine the number of additional units needed, if any. Units must be completed at an accredited institution of higher education.
Yes, you have met the requirements for the PK-3 ECE Specialist Instruction credential and may apply directly to the Commission for the new credential. More information about this process will be available once the regulations have been finalized by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).
We currently offer:
We do not currently offer any Master Credentials.
We are currently offering the Bilingual Added Authorization that will allow teachers to work in a bilingual class or dual language academy. To review the program admissions requirements and apply, please visit Bilingual Authorization - Spanish.
We do not currently offer a Special Education Credential Program.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook for special program developments and announcements.
The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) includes the allowance of a candidate’s bachelor’s degree to meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) for most credentials.
The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) tests individual subject knowledge.
Candidates have different options for meeting the subject matter requirement. The list of options can be found here here.
Our application deadlines are posted here Dates & Deadlines. We highly recommend that you get your application in as early as possible.
| Provider | Website | Subjects Available |
| Commission on Teacher Credentialing | CTC Exams | All |
| Teachers Test Prep | Teachers Test Prep | Multiple Subjects/Mathematics/Science/English/Social Science/Writing |
| Mometrix Test Preparation | Test Prep Review free | Multiple Subjects/Writing Skills/Most Single Subjects |
CSET Study Guides (Books and Worksheets)
| Provider | Title |
| Barron's | CSET California Subject Matter Examinations for Teachers: Multiple Subjects |
| CliffsNotes | CSET Multiple Subjects | CSET Social Science | CSET Mathematics |
| Princeton Review | Cracking the CSET (CSET Multiple Subjects | CSET Writing Skills) |
| Mometrix Test Preparation | CSET Exam Secrets Study Guide CSET Secrets Study Guide |
We try our best to get our candidates placed in clinical practice as close as possible to their location of choice. However, many logistics go into place to ensure we have good partnerships with multiple school districts in various regions. If you have a specific area in mind, you can email us at teacherprep@ucmerced.edu or call us at 209.349.2354.
University of California programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University of California and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.
The University of California has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a University of California program, they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).
Additional information is available by visiting the University of California | Office of the President and the California Department of Education.
The Teacher Preparation Program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
On August 6, 2021, The Commission on Teacher Credentialing granted full institutional approval to the University of California, Merced.
