High School Education Teachers

Single Subject Credential

In California, a person studying to be a high school teacher will work toward obtaining a Single Subject Credential. This credential allows you to teach the subject matter which you have taken for your major.

Concordia University Irvine has 9 majors that correlate to single subject credentials authorized by the state of California. The majors offered by Concordia appropriate for single subject credentials are:

To obtain your credential, you will pursue one of the above majors at Concordia, finish the credential coursework, and pass the state required tests including the California Subject Examination Test (CSET) for your major.

Credential coursework can be done as part of your undergraduate degree, meaning you can finish your bachelor’s degree and credential at the same time. Some universities have this as a “blended” program. We think it is just good sense. It will take 4-5 years depending on the pace you set for becoming a teacher.

If you want to teach in a Lutheran school you can obtain your Lutheran Teaching Certificate through Concordia. This can be done with your undergraduate major and credential coursework.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Teacher Education program comes in two parts. You must first be accepted as a student through the University Admissions application process. A separate application for the School of Education will be done once you have started into the introductory education classes.
The State of California requires that all candidates for teacher credentials complete and pass state-approved tests and assessments before certification no matter which school you attend. For more information on these tests, click on this link.

For transfer students to Concordia, read more here.

What Students Are Saying

Here’s what graduates from Concordia University Irvine’s Teaching Credential Program are saying.

Teaching Credential Curriculum

The curriculum for the California Single Subject credential is listed below. This coursework is approved by the State of California for obtaining a California State Single Subject Teaching Credential.

In addition to this coursework, you will need passage of the California State required tests.

Teaching Credential Courses

EDUC 200: The Teacher and Technology
1

Students are introduced to five educational technology themes represented in the California Teaching Performance Expectations. Knowledge, skills and resources introduced in this course are applied throughout the Teacher Credential Program courses and will ultimately prepare candidates in their professional practice to facilitate learning as best enabled and supported by technology. Recommended concurrent enrollment with EDUC 204/EDSP 204. Prerequisites: Certificate of clearance; for undergraduates, must be taken before 400-level courses.

EDUC 101: Introduction to Teaching Careers I
1

This introductory course to the field of education and the professional career of the teacher will include the following topics: characteristics of today's learners and of effective teachers and schools; California teacher credentialing procedures; and the university's teacher education program. Fifteen (15) hours of community service in a school or other educational organization serving children are required. Students must arrange their own transportation to the school or educational organization.

EDUC 204: Introduction to Teaching Diverse Populations
2

This course will present the historical and philosophical foundations of teaching in California schools through the broad examination of the California Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs). Through course activities students will develop awareness of the TPEs. Students are required to participate in 20 hours of fieldwork observation. Through these observations students will recognize the range of service delivery options for diverse populations of pupils. All fieldwork assignments are university assigned. Students are required to complete the observations during k-12 public school hours. Students must arrange their own transportation to the school site. Minimum grade of B- is required for those students applying to the School of Education. Prerequisites: Certificate of clearance; current TB (tuberculosis) test.

EDUC 301: Typical and Atypical Development of Diverse Learners
3

This course will present the major concepts, principles, theories, research, and applications related to the typical and atypical cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and moral development of children and adolescent pupils in inclusive classrooms. Students will learn the major concepts, principles, and research associated with human learning, achievement, motivation, conduct, and attitude as they examine the characteristics of exceptional persons with mild to moderate disabilities.

EDUC 401: Planning and Assessment for Inclusive Classrooms
3

Students will learn a variety of approaches to planning, managing, delivering, and assessing instruction in inclusive classrooms as they examine both formal and informal pupil assessment, including curriculum-based assessment in this course. Students will also learn and apply principles and strategies of differentiated instruction to assessment and instructional planning for diverse pupils. Corequisite: EDUC 451. Prerequisites: Admission to the undergraduate teacher education program.

EDUC 402: Creating Positive and Inclusive Learning Environments
3

This course will examine strategies for the inclusive classroom and the development of individual behavior management plans through an examination of the Individual Educational Program/ Individualized Family Service Plan (IEP/IFSP) processes, legal requirements, and responsibilities, along with the effects of pupil health and safety on learning. Students will learn skills for communicating, collaborating, and working with families, and supporting professionals and school personnel. Prerequisites: Admission to the undergraduate teacher education program; EDUC 401 (concurrent enrollment allowed).

EDUC 451: Language and Culture
3

This course will address the impact of cultural, socio-economic status, religion, and gender on the education of elementary and secondary pupils as students examine theories of first and second language acquisition along with effective strategies for teaching English learners. Students will apply these strategies to course activities and assignments. Corequisite: EDUC 401. Prerequisite: Admission to the undergraduate teacher education program.

EDUC 424: Secondary Curriculum and Methods
4

Students preparing to teach in secondary classrooms will gain an understanding of the secondary school curriculum through the examination of recent research, use the California Frameworks, and K-12 Content Standards to explore their subject areas and evaluate curriculum materials in this course. Emphasis will be given to preparing lesson plans that meet the diverse needs of pupils. Prerequisites: Admission to the undergraduate teacher education program; CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) verification; EDUC 401 and EDUC 402 (concurrent enrollment allowed) and EDUC 451.

EDUC 470: Content Area Literacy Instruction
4

Using the guidelines sent forth by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and the California and Common Core State Standards as the basis of this course, students will examine the theory and practice of reading instruction as applied to the content areas of middle and secondary schools with an emphasis on the development of reading techniques ranging from assessment of individual skills, selection of appropriate materials, and strategies for instruction in subject areas for diverse classrooms. Prerequisites: Admission to the undergraduate teacher education program; CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) verification; EDUC 401 and EDUC 402 (concurrent enrollment allowed) and EDUC 451.

EDUC 481: Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) Practicum: Field Experience
1

This is the last course taken before EDUC 482 and consisting of forty (40) hours of field experience during K-12 public school hours and class seminars and will prepare students to teach in secondary classrooms as they develop an understanding of grades 7-12 curriculum, how to meet the needs of diverse learners, and instructional planning and delivery. Through the activities of this course, students will complete the first two tasks of the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA). Minimum grade of B- required. Students must arrange their own transportation to the university-assigned school site. TPA Fee: $275. Prerequisites: Current certificate of clearance; current TB (tuberculosis) text; completion; CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) verification; EDUC 424 (concurrent enrollment allowed) and EDUC 470 (concurrent enrollment allowed).

EDUC 483: Student Teaching: Secondary
12

Student teaching is a full semester, all day experience at a qualified school site under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and university supervisor. Teaching strategies and classroom management are practiced at grade levels and in subject matter that represent the student teacher's career choice. Student Teaching Fee $200. Prerequisites: Completion of all program courses; student teaching clearance; passing scores on the CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) examination; current TB (tuberculosis) test.

Meet Your Professors

Professors in the School of Education are active participants in helping you reach your educational goals. Our courses are developed and delivered by faculty who integrate classroom techniques with best teaching practices, real-world experience, as well as a Christian moral, ethical, and value perspective of leadership.

Michael Schulteis

Co-Director of Undergraduate Teacher Credential Programs & Director of M.Ed.
Dr. Michael Schulteis has been a full-time faculty member in the School of Education since 2003, specializing in science and math education, teaching instructional methods, classroom management and research methods courses, and supervising graduate research projects. His educational research has focused on evolution education in parochial schools.

Rebecca Stanton

Co-Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs & Senior Director of Teacher Credential Programs
Dr. Rebecca Stanton has been teaching in the School of Education at Concordia since 2005, specializing in secondary teaching methods, classroom management, and differentiated instruction. As a university supervisor of student teachers and as a parent volunteer, she has spent innumerable hours in K-12 classrooms. Her sons' special needs have inspired her interest in how the brain learns and how to set up positive, inclusive learning environments. She presents on various teaching strategies at local, regional, and national conferences.

More Faculty

One of our greatest assets at Concordia University Irvine is our dedicated faculty. In a small learning environment, our professors care about you — not just your performance — and they cultivate lifelong mentoring relationships with the students they teach.

Education Faculty

Get In Touch

For more information about any of the many rewarding education programs at Concordia University Irvine, we invite you to contact us directly.

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(949) 854-8002 ext. 1355

Undergraduate Educational Programs