Palm Desert, CA – September 16, 2024 – Future teachers looking to help alleviate the critical teacher shortage in the Coachella Valley can now apply to earn their M.Ed. plus teaching credentials at UCR Palm Desert. The application period runs from September 16, 2024 – January 17, 2025. Candidates can choose to pursue a Master’s in Education and credentials or just pursue earning their teaching credentials. 

The program is run by the UC Riverside School of Education and can provide California teacher credentials for multiple-subject, single subject, Education Specialist, and the option of an added bilingual authorization (BILA) in Spanish. Students who are admitted start classes in June 2025 and can earn their M.Ed. plus teaching credentials all in one year. 

“Given the growth in the Coachella Valley, school districts will be recruiting teachers for a long time,” said Frances Valdovinos, Assistant Dean and Director of the Teacher Education Program at UC Riverside. “Bringing our program to the UCR Palm Desert campus means we can help curtail the teacher shortage immediately and into the future.” 

Interested candidates should begin the application process now since there are some qualifying documents required by the state that may take some time to acquire. All applications need to be submitted by January 17, 2025. Admission decisions are sent out after applicant interviews are conducted in February. 

For more information, interested candidates should email creded@ucr.edu, visit education.ucr.edu/tep/welcome or call (951) 827-5225. Candidates can make an appointment to meet with an admissions advisor or inquire about the next teacher education information session. 

“People interested in a rewarding career that will impact their community and the world in meaningful ways should definitely apply,” Valdovinos said. “The schools and the children of Coachella Valley need you.” 

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About UCR Palm Desert 
The University of California has been active in the Coachella Valley for nearly 100 years, initially supporting the agriculture industry and more recently impacting modern growth issues through research in areas such as transportation, air quality and energy and water conservation. https://palmdesert.ucr.edu 

About UCR School of Education 
The University of California, Riverside School of Education, or SOE, is a nationally recognized school in a public research university that leverages its broad range of expertise to develop impactful partnerships, collaborations, and evidence-based resources fundamental for teaching, learning, and student success. Located in a region rich in racial and linguistic diversity, yet challenged by economic and social inequities, SOE serves a diverse student population, much of which is comprised of students of color, low-income students, and first-generation college students. The SOE mission is to advance equitable educational systems and practices which are driven by core values of equity, evidence, excellence, community, critical thinking, and compassion. 
https://education.ucr.edu