Whittier College Catalog 2025-2026
Graduate Education
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Cean Colcord
Nora Obregon
Lauren H. Swanson, chair
Kathy Villalon
Christine Ybarra
Whittier College’s Teacher Education Program includes graduate-level credential and Masters of Arts in Teaching degree programs that further the institution’s tradition of excellence in the preparation of teachers. In-depth study of various pedagogical issues occurs within the context of Whittier’s liberal arts perspective. Program faculty includes outstanding professors and adjuncts with advanced academic degrees and professional experience in their specialty areas. Among the themes that unify graduate study at Whittier College are appreciation of diversity, active construction of knowledge, value of critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
Overview of Graduate Programs
Graduate offerings include the following credential programs approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Program; Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential Programs in English Language Arts, Social Science, Mathematics, Science, and Physical Education; and two Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credentials: Mild to Moderate Support Needs and Extensive Support Needs. Credential candidates work towards a preliminary SB2042 credential with English learner authorization.
Whittier also offers the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree. There are two pathways for candidates pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree. A Master of Arts in Teaching may be earned alongside a preliminary credential from one of our programs. Candidates pursuing both a preliminary credential and a Master of Arts in Teaching are designated as MACE students and must complete all requirements for both the Master of Arts in Teaching and credential program before the Master of Arts in Teaching degree is conferred.
Candidates who already hold a teaching credential may pursue the Master of Arts in Teaching as a standalone advanced degree. These candidates may elect to complete all 30 graduate units
within the program or apply up to 12 units earned through one of the college’s Academy for the Professional Development of Educators, which includes our Induction partnerships
Preliminary Credential Program
Graduate students must complete an application for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program according to specified deadlines.
Graduate candidates applying to the credential programs must complete and submit the following:
- Completed online application
- Completed FAFSA application
- Official transcript documenting the candidate having earned a B.S. or B.A. from a regionally accredited institution. Successful applicants will have earned, at minimum, a 2.8 G.P.A.
- Complete program pre-requisites including coursework in child development, as well as the US Constitution Requirement described by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
- A statement of purpose addressing the candidate’s goals and commitments to teaching, qualifications, and why they are seeking admission to the program. ● Evidence of satisfying the Basic Skills Requirement (by passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test [CBEST] or another approved pathway).
- Evidence of completing at least one portion of the Subject Matter Requirement. This may entail: (a) a letter verifying completion of a state-approved subject matter program, (b) evidence of passing at least one subtest of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) in the content area they are pursuing, (c) successfully completion of an accepted undergraduate major and/or coursework in the content area they are pursuing.
- Two to four letters of recommendation (one must be from an academic professor or recent professional reference).
Individual Credential Program Requirements
Detailed below are the requirements that must be completed for a candidate to be recommended for a preliminary credential. Some requirements - including coursework - are completed prior to admission to a credential program (see admissions requirements above). All coursework is offered through the Whittier College Teacher Education Program, including select courses that are considered pre-requisites.
Requirements for Preliminary Single Subject Credential:
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher education from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Satisfy Basic Skills Requirement through a CTC-approved pathway
- Satisfy Subject Matter Competency Requirement through a CTC-approved pathway
- Satisfy US Constitution Requirement through a CTC-approved pathway (considered a pre-requisite)
- Earn a passing score on all required CalTPA Instructional Cycles
- Hold a valid CPR (Adult Child and Infant) Certification
- Complete a Commission-approved Single Subject Credential Teacher Preparation Program. Within the Whittier College Teacher Education Program, the coursework for the Preliminary Single Subject Credential includes:
- EDUC 500 - Sociological and Historical Perspectives on Education 3 credits
- Coursework in Child Development
- EDUC 501 - Teaching Diverse Learners 3 credits
- EDUC 503 - Teaching Content Area Literacy 3 credits
- EDUC 504 - Second Language Acquisition & Methodology 3 credits
- EDUC 506 - Learning and Learners 3 credits
- EDUC 509 - Single Subject Curriculum & Pedagogy 3 credits
- EDUC 512 - Promoting Student Health and Safety 1 credit
- EDUC 529 - Introduction to Inclusive Learners 2 credits
- EDUC 520 - Student Teaching 12 credits
- EDUC 521 - Student Teaching Seminar 1 credit
- Receive a formal recommendation from credential program
Requirements for Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential
- Complete a baccalaureate or higher education from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Satisfy Basic Skills Requirement through a CTC-approved pathway
- Satisfy Subject Matter Competency Requirement through a CTC-approved pathway
- Satisfy US Constitution Requirement through a CTC-approved pathway (considered a pre-requisite)
- Meet Literacy and Reading Instruction Requirement by passing the RICA or newly developed pathway within CalTPA Instructional Cycles.
- Earn a passing score on all required CalTPA Instructional Cycles
- Hold a valid CPR (Adult Child and Infant) Certification
- Complete a Commission-approved Multiple Subject Credential Teacher Preparation Program. Within the Whittier College Teacher Education Program, the coursework for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential includes:
- EDUC 500 - Sociological and Historical Perspectives on Education 3 credits
- Coursework in Child Development (considered a Prerequisite)
- EDUC 509 - Single Subject Curriculum & Pedagogy: Methods for Physical Education & Movement in Elementary and Secondary Schools 3 credits
- EDUC 501 - Teaching Diverse Learners 3 credits
- EDUC 502 - Literacy Development in Elementary School 3 credits
- EDUC 504 - Second Language Acquisition & Methodology 3 credits
- EDUC 506 - Learning and Learners 3 credits
- EDUC 505 - Multiple Subject Curriculum & Pedagogy: Integrating Language Arts with Social Studies & the Visual & Performing Arts
- EDUC 507 - Multiple Subject Curriculum & Pedagogy: Mathematics and Science 3 credits
- EDUC 512 - Promoting Student Health and Safety 1 credit
- EDUC 529 - Introduction to Inclusive Learners 2 credits
- EDUC 520 - Student Teaching 12 credits
- EDUC 521 - Student Teaching Seminar 1 credit
- Receive a formal recommendation from credential program
Requirements for Preliminary Education Specialist Credential: Mild to Moderate Support Needs
Requirements for Preliminary Education Specialist Credential: Extensive Support Needs
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program
Whittier College offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT). The MAT requires 30 graduate-level (i.e. designated as 500 or above) units. Candidates complete a two-course capstone sequence (EDUC 605 and EDUC 606). The remaining graduate-level units can be completed through the credential coursework, or elective units. Up to 12 units can be applied from any of the programs offered through the Academy for the Professional Development of Educators. While they are considered graduate-level courses, units earned from successful completion of student teaching (EDUC 520) do not count towards the MA in Teaching.
The goals of the MAT Course Sequence are to develop in candidates the knowledge and modes of thought that they need to: (1) Understand contemporary educational issues and problems and the alternatives offered in the field for their solution; (2) Critically analyze research and its role in educational decision making; (3) Carry out the professional responsibilities by employing and advocating best practices for serving culturally, cognitively, and linguistically diverse students; and (4) Undertake critical reflection on their own teaching policies and practices and those in the field of education generally.
Admission Requirements to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program
Applicants must have earned a B.S. or B.A. from a regionally accredited institution as well as a teaching certification. Successful applicants will have earned, at minimum, a 3.0 G.P.A. in their graduate teaching program. Official transcripts of all college coursework must be submitted to verify award of undergraduate and credential degrees and G.P.A. Applicants will also provide the following for review:
● Completed online application
● Official undergraduate transcripts noting degree conferment
● Documentation of successful completion of teaching credential program
● Two to four letters of recommendation addressing candidate’s success or potential success in working with children/students in culturally diverse communities. Letters of
recommendation are valid for one year. Please note that applicants cannot request letters of recommendation from the college for alternate purposes once they have been received.
● Statement of purpose addressing candidates’ goals and commitments to teaching, qualification, and why they are seeking admission to the program
Advancing to Candidacy
To advance to candidacy a student must complete all graduate level coursework outside of the MAT Course Sequence and have a 3.0 GPA. Once students advance to candidacy, they are eligible to enroll in the MAT Course Sequence (i.e. EDUC 605 & 606). The MAT Course Sequence (EDUC 605 & EDUC 606) is designed to be a capstone experience. These courses build upon the theories and research-based practices discussed in prior coursework. Therefore, it is the Department of Education & Child Development’s policy that candidates completing the “MACE Pathway” (i.e. completing a preliminary credential course program alongside the MAT program) may not enroll in the MAT Course Sequence until they have completed the coursework leading towards the credential, they are pursuing apart from student teaching. Candidates in the “MAT - Only” Pathway may not enroll in the MAT Course Sequence until they have completed all other coursework aside from units offered through the department’s Academy for the Professional Development of Educators.
A maximum of 9 units may be transferred from other institutions. All requirements for the MAT must be completed with a 3.0 minimum GPA; no course work below a “B-” grade will be applied toward the degree. Students must complete the MAT within five years of admission to the graduate program. Courses completed prior to admission to the program may be accepted at the discretion of the Department of Education and Child Development. Variation or amendment of the guidelines can only be obtained by petitioning the Department of Education and Child Development.
Admission of International Students to Credential and Graduate Programs
International graduate students who wish to apply for the credential program and/ or the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree program must do the following:
- Submit a completed application for graduate admission.
- Submit transcripts verifying the completion of degree equivalent to a US baccalaureate degree. All students whose baccalaureate work was completed outside the United States or Canada at an institution where a language other than English was the dominant language of instruction must submit transcripts that have been translated and analyzed by the International Education Research Foundation, Inc., or another authorized agency before they can be accepted to the teacher credential or master’s degree program. (Students already in the U.S. may be permitted to enroll in a maximum of two courses while they await transcript analysis.)
All students whose baccalaureate work was completed at an institution where a language other than English was the dominant language of instruction must submit acceptable TOEFL scores.
General Information
To successfully matriculate through any credential program as well as the MAT program, candidates must earn an overall G.P.A of 3.0 (B) for all coursework. Any required course in which the candidate earns lower than a B- must be repeated, regardless of whether the course was taken at the graduate or undergraduate level. Further, courses taken in which the candidate has modified the grading option (from “for a letter grade” to “for credit”) cannot be counted towards the graduate or undergraduate coursework requirement for any credential program. Courses that are typically offered as “for credit” (e.g., EDUC 412, EDUC 512) are applied to appropriate credential programs.
Courses that are considered pre-requisites (e.g., Child Development Course) or count as a waiver to program requirement (e.g., American Government & Politics) must be passed with a B- or better or they will not count. For example, a candidate who took an American Government Course (e.g., PLSC 110) but did not earn at least a B- would still need to meet the US Constitution Requirement through a CTC-approved pathway.
Procedures and requirements for post-baccalaureate students can differ from those for undergraduates. These procedures and requirements are described in the College Catalogue as well as the Whittier College Teacher Education Handbook. Graduate students should obtain program information and advisement from their faculty advisors.
For graduate students, a minimum full-time study load is 9 credit hours per term
Graduate Study Load
For Graduate Students, a minimum full-time study load is 9 credit hours per term.
Prerequisites and Professional Preparation Requirements for Teaching Credentials
The teacher education programs for students pursuing the Multiple Subject (elementary) and Single Subject (secondary) and Education Specialist Teaching Credentials include planned prerequisites and professional preparation courses. Students should plan their undergraduate programs so as to take the prerequisites during their freshman and sophomore years. Professional preparation requirements are not open to freshmen or sophomores. Students should take the sequence of required professional preparation courses in the junior year and after. The prerequisites and professional preparation courses for the Multiple Subject (elementary), Single Subject (secondary) and Education Specialist Teaching Credentials are listed on the next page.
Graduate Education (EDUC) courses are open to graduate students. Most require admission to the Teacher Credentialing Program. In general these courses are not open to undergraduates.
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