Credential Program Overview

The teacher education programs for students pursuing a Preliminary Multiple Subject (elementary), Single Subject (secondary) or Education Specialist Teaching Credentials include planned prerequisites and professional preparation courses.

The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Official degree requirements can be found in the Whittier College Catalog. Teacher credentials are officially granted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Prerequisites (may be taken concurrently with credential coursework)

  • CHDV 105 Introduction to Child Development (3 credits) or PSYC 242 Child Psychology (3 credits) or approved equivalent
  • PLSC 110 American Government and Politics (3 credits) or approved equivalent
  • EDUC 300/500 Sociological and Historical Perspectives on Education (3 credits) or approved equivalent
  • EDUC 409/509 Movement Education in the Elementary School (3 credits) or approved equivalent

Required professional preparation courses

  • EDUC 501 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 credits)
  • EDUC 502 Literacy Development in the Elementary School (3 credits)
  • EDUC 504 Second Language Acquisition and Methodology (3 credits)
  • EDUC 505 Multiple Subject Curriculum and Pedagogy: Integrating Language Arts, History-Social Science, and Visual-Performing Arts (3 credits)
  • EDUC 506 Learning and Learners (3 credits)
  • EDUC 507 Multiple Subject Curriculum and Pedagogy: Math and Science (3 credits)
  • EDUC 512 Promoting Students’ Health & Safety (1 credit)
  • EDUC 529 Introduction to Exceptional Learners (2 credits)
  • EDUC 520 Student Teaching/Internship (12 credits) To qualify for student teaching or internship, students must have completed all prerequisites and subject matter requirements. Consult Department materials for a complete list.
  • EDUC 521 Professional Development Seminar (1-2 credits) Must be taken concurrently with Student Teaching/Internship.
  • Passage of Reading Instruction Competency Assessment Test (RICA) 

Whittier College offers teaching credentials in English, social science, math, science, physical education, and Spanish.

Prerequisites (may be taken concurrently with credential coursework)

  • CHDV 105 Introduction to Child Development (3 credits) or PSYC 244 Psychology of Adolescence (3 credits) or approved equivalent
  • PLSC 110 American Government and Politics or approved equivalent (3 credits) or approved equivalent
  • EDUC 300/500 Sociological and Anthropological Perspectives on Education (3 credits) or approved equivalent

Required professional preparation courses

  • EDUC 501 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 credits)
  • EDUC 503 Teaching Content Area Literacy (3 credits)
  • EDUC 504 Second Language Acquisition and Methodology (3 credits)
  • EDUC 506 Learning and Learners (3 credits)
  • EDUC 508 Single Subject Curriculum and Pedagogy I (3 credits)
  • EDUC 509 Single Subject Curriculum and Pedagogy II (3 credits)
  • EDUC 512 Promoting Students’ Health & Safety (1 credit)
  • EDUC 529 Introduction to Exceptional Learners (2 credits)
  • EDUC 520 Student Teaching/Internship (12 credits) To qualify for student teaching or internship, students must have completed all prerequisites and subject matter requirements. Consult Department materials for a complete list.
  • EDUC 521 Professional Development Seminar (1-2 credits) Must be taken concurrently with Student Teaching/Internship.

Prerequisites (may be taken concurrently with credential coursework)

  • CHDV 105 Introduction to Child Development (3 credits) or PSYC 242 Child Psychology (3 credits)
  • PLSC 110 American Government and Politics (3 credits) or approved equivalent
  • EDUC 300/500 Sociological and Anthropological Perspectives on Education (3 credits) or approved coursework

Required professional preparation courses

  • EDUC 501 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 credits)
  • EDUC 502 Literacy Development in Elementary School (3 credits)
  • EDUC 504 Second Language Acquisition and Methodology (3 credits)
  • EDUC 506 Learning and Learners (3 credits)
  • EDUC 529 Introduction to Exceptional Learners (2 credits)
  • EDUC 530 Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)
  • EDUC 531 Assessment of Exceptional Students (3 credits)
  • EDUC 532 Case Management and Assistive Technology (2 credits)
  • EDUC 533 Creating Positive Classroom Management and Behavior Systems (3 credits)
  • EDUC 534 Character and Instructional Practices for M/M Disabilities (3 credits) - for Mild/Moderate candidates only
  • EDUC 536 Character and Instructional Practices for M/S Disabilities (3 credits) - for Mild/Moderate candidates only
  • EDUC 512 Promoting Students’ Health & Safety (1 credit)
  • EDUC 520 Student Teaching/Internship (12 credits) To qualify for student teaching or internship, students must have completed all prerequisites and subject matter requirements. Consult Department materials for a complete list.
  • EDUC 521 Professional Development Seminar (1-2 credits) Must be taken concurrently with Student Teaching/Internship.
  • Passage of Reading Instruction Competency Assessment Test (RICA)

Required by the state of California, fieldwork placements and student teaching not only help students gather valuable hands-on experience in the classroom setting but also help them develop and expand their networking opportunities.

Students are required to complete fieldwork for most credential courses. Students can identify schools/districts where they would like to complete fieldwork. Fieldwork hours range from 10-40 hours, depending on course. All placements require students to have a Certificate of Clearance. 

Student teaching is a 16-week course at Whittier College. Students can identify schools/districts where they would like to complete their 16 weeks of student teaching.

We're here to help you sort out prerequisites and transferable credit. Get in touch to get started.