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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES

General Prerequisites:

1. Statement of Purpose 

  • Please address the reasons behind your decision to become an educator and the challenges you believe are important to the field of education (150 words).
     

2. Statement of Professional Dispositions

  • Refer to the list below of Professional Dispositions and select two or three dispositions that you possess; describe how these dispositions make you a strong candidate for the teaching profession (200 words).
      • Collaboration
      • Critical Thinking
      • Reflective Practitioner
      • Professional Ethics
      • Valuing Diversity
      • Life-Long Learning
      • Social Justice and Equity
         

3. Baccalaureate Degree: Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended and accredited. GPAs are determined by the degree-granting university/college.

  • Electronic transcripts:
    Please use teacherprep@ucmerced.edu as the recipient's email address.
    If submitting California community college transcripts, please review eTranscript California and use this convenient system.
    If you are a UC Merced graduate, the only transcripts you must submit are for any other post-baccalaureate coursework you have completed at another institution.
    Please do not send identical, duplicate electronic and paper transcripts.
     
  • Paper transcripts: 
    If your previous school(s) do not supply electronic transcripts, have official paper copies of your transcripts sent in unopened envelopes to:
    UC Merced PACE Teacher Preparation Office
    Mayra Franco, Credential Analyst
    5200 Lake Road
    Merced, CA 95343
     
  • Foreign transcripts (if applicable):
    • Applicants with international transcripts must provide a copy of an official evaluation to the Teacher Preparation Office. An approved agency must conduct a detailed official evaluation of coursework; for a list of approved agencies, visit FOREIGN TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION (ca.gov)
    • The official evaluation will need to be mailed to the Teacher Preparation Office at the following address:
      UC Merced PACE Teacher Preparation Office
      Mayra Franco, Credential Analyst
      5200 Lake Road
      Merced, CA 95343
       

4. GPA Requirement 

A cumulative 3.0 GPA is required for admission. If your GPA is below the required GPA, please petition for Exception by Admission by completing the GPA justification form. The Teacher Preparation Committee makes the final decision about offering Admission to applicants whose GPA is below 3.0.

5. Two References

Please provide a valid email address and a personal contact number for your two references where indicated on the application. This information will need to be submitted at the time of application to be considered complete. We will reach out directly to your references for their letters of recommendation.

References can be from an instructor, employer, or someone who is knowledgeable regarding your personal qualities and ability to work with children. Recommendations from family members and friends are not acceptable.

6. Fingerprint Clearance

Classroom observation and Clinical Practice are a large part of the credential program. To be placed in a classroom setting, you will need to obtain fingerprint clearance. You must possess a valid Certificate of Clearance or other CTC-issued document. Learn how to apply here. This site explains the Automated California Residents Process.

  • If you submit a Certificate of Clearance application, you will need to upload the email from the CTC verifying you submitted your application.
  • The Certificate of Clearance is valid for 5 years. You must maintain valid fingerprint clearance throughout your time in the credential program.
  • If you already hold the document from the CTC (a substitute teacher permit, activities supervisor's certificate, etc.), the document would need to meet the fingerprint clearance requirement.

7. California Basic Educational Skills By Degree – Due by Application Deadline (waiting for BA to be conferred is OK)

Candidates can use their bachelor’s (or higher) degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university to meet the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR).  

Degrees Earned Outside of the United States: A bachelor’s degree (or higher) must be deemed equivalent to a degree earned at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States to meet licensure requirements and satisfy the BSR. Educators that earned their degrees from outside of the United States must obtain an evaluation of their transcripts through a Commission approved Foreign Transcript Evaluating Agency. See Leaflet CL-635 for more information.  

8. Subject Matter Competency — Due by Application Deadline

Applicants must meet one of the following:

1. Pass the CSET Exams. Plan to take early and upload the official PDF score report to your application.

CSET Subtest Codes:

  • Multiple Subject: 101, 214, 225
  • English: 105, 106, 107, 108
  • Foundational Level Math: 211, 212
  • Math: 211, 212, 213
  • Science:
    • Foundational General Science (Bio 215)
    • Biological Science (Bio 215, 217)
    • Chemistry (Chem 215, 218)
    • Physics (Phys 215, 220)
    • Earth & Space Sciences (Geo 215, 219)
  • Social Science: 114, 115, 116

2. Earn an EXACT MATCH Bachelor's Degree (or higher)

3. Complete Approved Coursework

4. Combination of Coursework/SMPP and CSET Subtests

  • Documentation must show all domains are met
  • Upload appropriate verification for each method used

5. Complete a Subject Matter Preparation Program (SMPP)

9. Pre-program Field Experience ( 45 hours ) Verification Form (You must submit a completed verification form)

10. Current Resume

11. Tuberculosis Clearance

Applicants must verify the absence of active tuberculosis. In addition, the TB test report or a letter from a physician regarding a chest x-ray must have been administered within the last three years and indicate a negative result. Complete this test at any health facility.

12. Interview

An Interview with the Admissions Committee will be scheduled once your completed application has been reviewed and meets all the requirements.

Prepare your application:

1. Multiple Subject Application

2. Single Subject Application

3. Transitional Kindergarten Residency Program

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Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure

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.

Accreditation

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.

 
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