Program Details - Urban Education & Social Justice with Credential, MAT

Candidates progress through the MA in Teaching: Urban Education & Social Justice (MAT: UESJ) experience as a cohort. Together, they learn through a combination of coursework, fieldwork, action research, and professional development activities. Graduates are a part of a growing network of justice-oriented teachers and community partners in the Bay Area and California.

Group Support

New students will be admitted each fall (no spring admission) and will progress through the program as a group, providing opportunities for community building, self-reflection, professional development and solidarity. Students focus on the complex learning strengths and needs of urban students from diverse cultural, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Specialized Courses

MAT: UESJ students will enroll in special sections of required credential courses, as well as courses required for the master’s degree (two additional 3-credit courses). These special sections will be reserved for MAT: UESJ students to build cohort solidarity and pay specific attention to issues of equity in our local schools.

Specialized Fieldwork/Student Teaching

During the two phases of required student teaching, MAT: UESJ students will be placed in schools specially selected for their best practices in teaching diverse, urban student populations.

Program Delivery

Classes are offered Monday – Thursday evenings and on some Saturdays. Student teaching begins in the second semester and usually requires 2 days a week of in-class time in the second semester and 5 days a week of in-class time in the third semester.

Earning Your Credential

You’ll have the option to choose between a Single Subject (Grades 9-12) or Multiple Subject (Grades TK-8) Teaching Credential.

Single Subject Teaching Credential

A Single Subject Teaching Credential is available for those who are interested in teaching a single area of expertise (Math, Science, English, or History/Social Sciences) to students in grades 9-12 classrooms.

Multiple Subject Teaching Credential

A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential is available for those who are interested in teaching all subjects to students in grades TK-8 classrooms.

Application Requirements

Earning Your Master's Degree

You’ll earn both a master’s degree and teaching credential through our program. Standalone credentials are not available. You can choose from: MA in Teaching, MA in Urban Education and Social Justice, MA in Teaching Reading, MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and MA in Catholic Education. All programs share the same credential coursework, with master’s degree options differing in number of required units and courses.