Which California Schools Offer Teaching Degrees in Elementary Education?

Bachelor's Degree Programs in California

Biola University

At Biola, you are able to satisfy the requirements to earn a California teaching license while completing the school's bachelor degree program requirements. In the program, you complete core classes in subjects like reading, mathematics, the visual and performing arts and human development. You also choose an area of concentration in which you complete 12 credit hours of study. The teaching credential portion of the program includes classes in teaching methods and theory as well as student teaching experiences.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Elementary Education
• Program Length: 141 credit hours
• Tuition and Fees: $42,708 per year (2019-2020)
• Admission Requirements: 2.75 or higher grade point average (GPA), must obtain state certificate of clearance before beginning student teaching
• School Type: 4-year, private; approximately 4,010 undergraduate and 2,099 graduate students

Mount St. Mary's University

In this program, you complete professional preparation courses and supervised teaching experiences. Professional preparation-related classes cover topics like the theory and practice of teaching elementary education, language and literacy, the social sciences and math. You generally apply to this program before the fall of your sophomore year of study.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with Elementary Teacher Preparation Program
• Program Length: 128.5 credit hours
• Tuition and Fees: $43,076 per year (2019-2020)
• Prerequisites: Classes in: teaching English learners, schools and society, teaching exceptional students, responsive learning, learning in children of all cultures, child and adolescent development and diversity in schools
• Admissions Requirements: Essay, California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) score, letters of recommendation, tuberculosis clearance
• School Type: 4-year, private; approximately 2,356 undergraduate and 609 graduate students

Master's Degree Programs in California

Biola University

In this program, you take courses in philosophy and values, intercultural instruction, writing literature reviews, classroom management and curriculum development. You also complete a research project before graduation. The program also prepares you to apply for child development permits, which train you to teach infants through elementary school age children. This permit program requires an additional 6-18 credit units of study that includes hands-on interaction with children in local schools.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in Teaching
• Area of Specialization: Early childhood
• Program Length: 18 months, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $11,178 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Admission Requirements: At least 3.0 GPA on undergraduate work, pass at least one subset of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), pass CBEST or equivalent, certificate of clearance
• School Type: 4-year, private; about 4,010 undergraduate and 2,099 graduate students

Chapman University

If you're working towards the multiple subject credential, this school allows you to earn a master's degree by completing an additional 12 credit units. Courses in the program are offered in the evenings, and you begin field experiences early in your studies. The program emphasizes the best teaching methods for California's increasingly diverse student population and offers you the opportunity to complete a bilingual multicultural emphasis.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in Teaching
• Program Length: 50-53 units
• Tuition and Fees: $31,412 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Admission Requirements: GPA of at least 3.0 on undergraduate work or acceptable scores on the CSET, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test if GPA is between 2.75 and 2.99
• School Type: 4-year, private; approximately 7,281 undergraduate and 2,327 graduate students

Santa Clara University

Upon graduation from this program, you receive a master's degree and are eligible for the state's preliminary teaching credential for elementary education teachers. Courses in the program cover topics like the social and ethical foundations for elementary teaching, classroom management, technology for teachers and assessing elementary student learning. You also complete a year-long clinical practicum in local schools.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in Teaching with California Preliminary Teaching Credential (Multiple Subject)
• Program Length: 10-12 months, full-time
• Tuition and Fees: $24,144 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Academic background in the liberal arts, experience working with elementary-age children within the last three years
• Admission Requirements: Pass exams demonstrating mastery of basic skills and subject-matter competence, three professional recommendations, personal statement, minimum 3.0 GPA on undergraduate work, resume and official transcripts
• School Type: 4-year, private; approximately 5,520 undergraduate and 3,122 graduate students

Stanford University

You can earn a master's degree in education and qualify for elementary level teaching certification through the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP). During this 12-month program, to which only about 20 students each session are admitted, you take courses in teaching methods and theory and learn about the subjects taught at the elementary level. You also gain experience running a real classroom by being paired and working with an experienced teacher whose methods accord with the STEP philosophy. If you're proficient in Spanish and complete additional courses, you can earn a bilingual authorization along with the multiple subject credential.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in Education
• Program Length: 45-48 units
• Tuition and Fees: $51,354 per year (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Admissions Requirements: Essay, resume, letters of recommendation, GRE, CBEST (for California residents) and CSET (not required, but highly recommended)
• School Type: 4-year, private; approximately 7,087 undergraduate and 10,294 graduate students

To summarize, these five California schools - Biola, Mount St. Mary's, Chapman, Santa Clara and Stanford University - offer elementary education teaching degrees at various levels, including bachelor's and master's degrees.