Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Graduate Program in Education. We are authorized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to offer both Multiple Subject (elementary) and Single Subject (secondary) Preliminary teaching credential programs. Many teacher candidates are attracted to the flexibility of our evening and summer schedules which allow them to pursue a credential at an individual pace. Some graduate students are hired as interns in local school districts while others choose to gain valuable experience substitute teaching. Still others maintain daytime employment in other fields, or fulfill family commitments during the coursework portions of their programs. Our class sizes are small, and each candidate is supported by a faculty and staff committed to creating a graduate learning environment which leads to success.

In addition to our two credentialing programs, we offer a 30 unit Master of Arts in Education. There are three types of M.A. programs:

Credential plus M.A. Most of the coursework which satisfies credential program mandates also counts as credits toward an M.A. degree. Many of our graduate credential candidates enroll in the final culminating research class: EDUC 601: Educational Inquiry to earn an M.A.

Induction program plus M.A. A second strand of the M.A. program is geared to teachers who have recently completed district Induction programs. These teachers may receive credit for the work they have done (up to 12 credits) in Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) programs at a significantly reduced cost per credit. The remaining 18 credits include the four credit culminating research class and 14 credits of electives.

M.A. only. The final version is geared to previously credentialed teachers who choose to plan a 30 credit program that meets their individual needs.

Whittier College has been committed to excellence in teacher preparation for nearly ninety years. Our graduates can readily be found in many school districts in Southern California. These teachers and administrators are a testament to the success of our credentialing programs over many years.

Kathleen S. Ralph, Ph.D.
Chair & Associate Professor