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Teacher Credential Program

School of Education

Teacher Credential Program

Blended format * 7-15 week courses

Preparing Those Who are Called to Teach

Earn your CA Teaching Credential and become skilled at lesson planning and delivering engaging, differentiated instruction that prepares students for success in the 21st century. The Teacher Credential curriculum provides a strong pedagogical foundation, along with in-class opportunities to practice innovative teaching strategies. A hallmark of CUI's program is the community and collaboration between CUI professors and peers, contributing to our students becoming confident, exceptional servant leaders for today's public and private schools.

Our program offers:

  • Evening classes for the working professional
  • Blended & face to face instructional format
  • Fall, Spring and Summer starts
  • Three semester credential program (36–38 units)
  • Four semester dual credential program (43–47 units)

Application Requirements

For students entering without a bachelor’s degree, our traditional Undergraduate Education Program offers many of the same programs leading to a credential.

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Blended Instruction

Blended courses feature both face-to-face and online learning.

Our Block I blended schedule allows students to come to campus two evenings a week for face-to-face classes (three evenings a week for summer session I). Block I classes are paired and alternate between face-to-face and synchronous, online content each week.

Online Instruction

This delivery system was designed to meet the needs of students who prefer the flexibility provided by an online program.

  • Ability to interact with content, your instructor, and with other students.
  • No required face-to-face sessions within the course.
  • No requirements for on-campus activity.
  • Both synchronous and asynchronous lessons. Credential courses provide synchronous sessions every other week, and non-credential courses are asynchronous throughout the program.
  • Both formal and informal learning communities.

Programs Offered

Music Teacher with students

Single Subject Credential

The single subject credential is for teachers who desire to teach one subject to groups of students at the high school or middle school levels. The single subject credential areas Concordia offers are: Art, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Foundational, Geosciences, Physics) English, Music, Social Science, Foundational Math, Physical Education, Mathematics, and Foreign Language (on a case by case basis).

Candidates entering this program with a baccalaureate degree may combine the credential courses with advanced work to complete a Master's of Education degree.

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Kindergrarten teacher

Multiple Subject Credential

The multiple subject credential is for teachers who desire to teach all the subjects in a self-contained classroom. This is the credential to obtain if you desire to teach at the elementary (K-6) grade levels. If you plan to be a middle school teacher teaching a core curriculum, you will select the multiple subject credential.

Candidates entering this program with a baccalaureate degree may combine the credential courses with advanced work to complete a Master's of Education degree.

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Teacher educating a student

Education Specialist: Mild-Moderate Teaching Credential

This credential authorizes candidates to teach students with learning disabilities, mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities, attention deficit and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, autism, and emotional disturbances. Candidates entering this program with a baccalaureate degree may combine the credential courses with advanced work to complete a Masters of Education degree.

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A teacher educating a class

Dual Credential Program

Occasionally, a candidate is interested in completing coursework for two credentials. We offer a path for completing both a general education and special education credential concurrently.

We offer the following dual credential paths:

a teacher

Clear Induction Credential Programs

Teachers who have the SB2042 Preliminary Credential must complete California’s requirements to clear their credential within five years. Concordia University Irvine offers an induction program, approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), to clear the following: Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential, Preliminary Single Subject Credential, and Preliminary Education Specialist Credential.

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Student Teaching Semester

During student teaching you are one member of a team. You will be working closely with your cooperating teachers, school site personnel, and your university Supervisor once you are placed at a local school within Orange County for a full day experience for a full public school semester - approximately 18 weeks.

View School of Ed Handbook

Testimonials

Examinations and Assessments

There are several examinations and assessments required of you on your journey to becoming a teacher. These are both state and federal requirements.

View Test requirements At-a-Glance

Test requirements At-a-Glance

Special Education Multiple Subject Single Subject
CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)
Full passage of the CBEST or test equivalency is required BEFORE admission to all of the Teacher Credential programs
CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers) and select “CSET”
Passage, previous attempt or proof of registration for first testing date of the Block II semester (September, January) Passage, previous attempt or proof of registration for first testing date of the Block II semester (September, January) Passage, previous attempt or proof of registration for first testing date of the Block II semester (September, January)
Single Subject candidates who completed a state-approved subject matter preparation program are exempt
Full passage of all CSET subtests BEFORE Student Teaching
RICA (Reading Instruction Competence Assessment)
Take this exam AFTER you have completed EDSP 560. You must successfully pass this exam before you can apply for your credential Take this exam AFTER you have completed EDUC 560. You must successfully pass this exam before you can apply for your credential This exam is not required for obtaining a single subject credential
You are Exempt!
CalTPA (California Teaching Performance Assessment) or EDSP CalTPA (Education Specialist California Teaching Performance Assessment)
Instructional Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 are submitted during the student teaching semester

*Candidates are considered “Out of Major” if their undergraduate major does not match the subject area they are going to teach. Here are two examples: A candidate may be a Chemistry major, but is going for a secondary credential in History; or the candidate may be an Art major who plans to go for a Multiple Subject Elementary Credential. As the coursework does not match the test the candidate is required to take, the candidate will be required to pass the CSET before admittance to the Teacher Education Program.

School of Education

Concordia’s School of Education offers four different teaching credentials, four distinctive Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) graduate degrees, and a Doctorate of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership. Classes are small and focused on the development of critical, independent thinking, and are taught by experienced Christian faculty members. CUI’s School of Education enjoys an excellent reputation in the academic community as thousands of graduates lead in schools throughout the region. Students gain targeted knowledge and proficient skills to connect, care, collaborate, and create in their unique role in education. Our goal is to equip students to pursue opportunities and advance their career.

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