California Teaching Credential Programs Online

<p>Those who want to launch into a teaching career in California must complete a bachelor's degree and a teacher preparation program through an accredited school. Online options can provide the same rigorous teacher preparation coursework as campus-based programs that lead to a teaching license, but cater to students with life commitments that may interfere with daily classroom-based instruction. The following schools offer relevant programs. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> Educational Institution </th><th> Teacher Preparation Licensure Areas</th></tr> <tr><td> Western Governor's University </td><td> Elementary Education <br /> Secondary Education (various subject areas)</td></tr> <tr><td> Pacific Oaks College </td><td> Elementary Education <br /> Special Education</td></tr> <tr><td> National University </td><td> Elementary Education <br /> Secondary Education (various subject areas)</td></tr> <tr><td> University of Phoenix </td><td> Elementary Education</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---RequirementsForCaliforniaLicensure">Requirements for California Licensure</h3> <p>While specific entry requirements differ among programs, admission to a four-year degree program requires a high school diploma or GED. Graduating with a bachelor's degree and a teaching credential from an online program typically takes 4 to 5 years. Many programs in California allow students to complete teacher preparation while earning a four-year degree; other programs integrate teacher prep coursework directly into the bachelor's degree. Some schools with online teaching programs are based in California, while others, like Western Governor's University, offer out-of-state online programs that are fully accredited in California. </p> <p>Any online teaching program accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing will fulfill California's education requirement for teaching, but prospective teachers must also conduct classroom-based fieldwork and pass required exams, including a basic education skills test and the necessary California Subject Examination for Teachers. In addition, the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA) may be required in some cases. The required assessments are offered in both written and computer-based formats, and testing accommodations can be made for students with disabilities. </p> <p>Prospective students should also contact their educational institution's credential analyst to verify the courses they are taking lead to the appropriate teaching credentials through the most effective route. For example, a prospective educator seeking secondary education teaching credentials in physics and chemistry may have fewer course requirements than a prospective teacher seeking secondary language arts and chemistry teaching credentials because more of the required courses overlap. Additional information on general teaching licensure requirements is provided by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. </p> <h3 id="section---TeachingInCalifornia">Teaching in California</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for secondary education teachers across California was $80,510 per year in 2018. The average salary for elementary school teachers was $80,100 that same year. To address an ongoing shortage of teachers throughout California in several high-needs subjects such as mathematics, sciences, bilingual education, and special education, scholarships, grants, and affordable loan-repayment plans may be widely available. The BLS also estimates a national growth of 8% in high school teaching jobs and 7% growth in elementary teaching jobs. The California Department of Education website maintains updated and reliable information on becoming a teacher.</p>