Find the Right Preparation Program in Three Steps

Ten California Community Colleges (CCC) have established a Teacher Preparation Pipeline to offer future teachers preparation in various high-demand Career Technical Education (CTE) areas; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); K-12 education; early childhood education and other areas of teaching in California public schools. Complete lower-division, pre-requisites courses at your local CCC and transfer them to the baccalaureate institution of your choice that offers a Commission-approved teacher preparation program for the credential you desire.

Some colleges and universities have programs that combine course work for the baccalaureate degree and credential. Designed for individuals who know, early on, that they want to teach, these options are generally more intense than traditional programs but enable you to become a teacher faster. Some community colleges have become part of the blended or integrated program package. Check it out. Talk to the academic advisor of the college or university of your choice.

Once you have your baccalaureate degree and have met subject matter competency requirements, you may choose to work while you learn how to teach through a district or university alternative certification , intern program or teacher residency program. These specially designed programs put you in the classroom as a teacher (under supervision) while you complete coursework on teaching theory and techniques.

After you have your B.A. or B.S. degree, your next step to becoming a teacher is to obtain your preliminary teaching credential. Commission-approved teacher preparation programs focus on teaching you how to teach. Programs include at least one year of full-time study and student teaching.