The Education Specialist credential program at UC Riverside is a 14-month program consisting of educational foundations coursework and field placements. Students complete the coursework and student teaching hours concurrently.

UC Riverside's rigorous program provides students with a more thorough understanding of educational issues and methodology with the added benefit of in-class experience . This results in our graduates being better prepared, more experienced, and more confident as they embark on their teaching careers.

• Tuition approximately $23-$29,000. See Registrar page for more current fee information.
• Scholarships and financial aid available including the Dean's Automatic Scholarship if you apply before priority deadline

M.Ed. and Education Specialist Credential Course Schedule

Education Specialist Credential-Only Course Schedule

M.Ed. and Education Specialist Credential Curriculum Overview

Education Specialist Credential-Only Curriculum Overview

If you’re interested in becoming an education specialist, you can a Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) plus a Dual Education Specialist Credential in our combined program that can be completed in just over a year (5 quarters). You will study cutting-edge, research informed curricula that will prepare you to address the needs of all students in culturally responsive ways. Both are full-time post baccalaureate cohort programs that begin in the summer quarter each year.

• We highly encourage all candidates to meet with an advisor or attend an information session prior to applying. For information session dates and to RSVP, please visit Info Sessions.

  Visit our admissions page for more information on UCR’s Teacher Education Program requirements.

Special Information for applicants who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

For an application to be considered for review, international applicants must complete the requirements listed below prior to submitting the application. These items are required by the state of California in order to participate in a Teacher Preparation Program, receive a teaching credential, and are considered part of our regular admission requirements. Please note: the application fee is non-refundable.

Certificate of Clearance

If you are an international applicant on a student visa, a non-U.S. citizen, or a non-U.S. permanent resident and you are applying to the Teacher Education Program (TEP), please note the following: in order to be eligible for student teaching, all applicants must complete a Certificate of Clearance through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). The Certificate of Clearance application requires a Social Security Number (SSN), or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). For information on obtaining a SSN or ITIN, visit the IRS website. All candidates must obtain a Certificate of Clearance before the application deadline to be eligible for admission. Learn more about the Certificate of Clearance.

Student teaching is mandatory for all TEP students in order to complete the required coursework and obtain a teaching credential. If a student is not able to begin student teaching, he/she/they will need to withdraw from the program. Applicants who are ineligible to obtain a U.S. Social Security Number or Tax I.D. Number should talk to an advisor before applying. If you have questions, contact us at creded@ucr.edu. 

Resources:

The International Affairs Office: https://international.ucr.edu 

The Undocumented Student Programs: https://usp.ucr.edu 

Foreign Transcript Evaluation

Individuals who have completed college or university course work at an institution in a country other than the United States must obtain a complete evaluation of foreign transcripts, degrees, and other relevant documents. The complete transcript evaluation must be uploaded into the application prior to the deadline for the application to be considered for review.  Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by a Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved organization. Learn more about Foreign Transcript Evaluations.  

Please note: the UC Riverside’s Graduate Division has additional requirements for international applicants. Please review their Required Documentation from International Institutions. 

Basic Skills Requirement

Candidates can now use their bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as demonstration of the basic skills requirement

Multiple Subject CSET Exam

• Subtest I (test code 101)
• Subtest II (test code 214)
• Subtest III (test code 103)

• Alvord USD 
• Fontana USD
• Jurupa USD
• Moreno Valley USD
• Riverside USD 
• San Bernardino City USD
• Val Verde USD

Information on the transition plan can be found here