Becoming a teacher in California overview…

Teaching in California is one of the most extraordinary school systems to be apart of. Boosting one of the largest enrollment rates in the country and mandatory annual funding, teaching in California is a lifetime of fulfillment. Historically, California has placed education as a top priority. The teachers within the state of California are no different. Determining the journey within the teaching realm and the discipline to teach, a teacher in California can find the perfect fit for their needs and goals. Deciding on what area to study is only one of the many decisions a teacher in California will make… deciding to live near a beach or in the gorgeous redwoods of Northern California is another.

Joining the teaching industry In California…

One might think of California as the Golden state, the surfing capital of the USA, or home to some of the most challenging mountain ranges in the Sierra’s. California should also be known for their high standards when it comes to teaching. Teachers in California understand the level of commitment surrounding teaching and pride themselves on such high standards.

The path one takes has many options. Completing a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree one thing is certain; there is a path. That path will lead the prospective individual to becoming one of California’s teachers who understand education is more than learning. It is about understanding how one teacher benefits the whole. The California education system speaks to diverse groups of people interested in becoming teachers because of the diversity within the state of California. With that said, several opportunities exist.

Along with the greatness of diversity, one can enjoy the perks of being an educator in the state of California. Fifteen weeks of vacation per calendar year (with exception to some year-round schools), outstanding benefits and 401K programs. California teachers also have the benefit of teaching within a state that values strong compensation as well as recognizing teachers who opt to educate in areas that lack teachers. These are just a few incentives the state of California offers.

The Next Steps and the Journey Ahead…

Start or excel your career as a teacher in California but researching schools that meet the needs and aspirations of future California teachers, state timelines, prerequisites and many helpful tools. Many online schools offer degree programs tailoring to individual needs as well as provide useful information on how to go about completing either a bachelor’s degree or masters degree.

Below are the steps to becoming a teacher in California based off recent requirements from the state of California. It is extremely important to check with potential schools due to updates or changes made within these requirements. Also keep in mind once these requirements are complete, they last for a certain time period. Currently it is five years.

  • Obtaining a degree from a nationally accredited college (Bachelor or higher)
  • Teacher preparation program that focuses on proving proficiency in the areas the state of California defines as mandatory. Future educators of California have several options of meeting this requirement. A passing score is needed in one of the following:
    • CBEST
    • CSET
    • CSU Early Assessment Program or CSU Placement Examination.
  • Complete the U.S. Constitution Course.
  • Complete RICA (Reading assessment).

In today’s fast paced environment, researching schools online is one of the easiest and most efficient tools at ones fingertips. Below are top schools that pride themselves on providing up to date information, requirements and options. Start the journey of your future today.

California Schools with Teacher Preparation

Allan Hancock College
800 S College Dr
Santa Maria, CA 93454-6399
(805) 922-6966
www.hancockcollege.edu/
Alliant International University
10455 Pomerado Road
San Diego, CA 92131-1799
(858) 635-4000
www.alliant.edu/admissions
Antelope Valley College
3041 West Ave K
Lancaster, CA 93536-5426
(661) 722-6300
www.avc.edu/apply_register/index.htm
Bethany University
800 Bethany Dr
Scotts Valley, CA 95066-2898
(831) 438-3800
www.bethany.edu/
Cabrillo College (Aptos, CA)
6500 Soquel Dr
Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 479-6100
www.cabrillo.edu/services/ar/
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
One Grand Ave
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
(805) 756-1111
admissions.calpoly.edu/
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
3801 W Temple Ave
Pomona, CA 91768
(909) 869-7659
California State University-Chico
First and Normal Sts
Chico, CA 95929-0150
(530) 898-6116
em.csuchico.edu/admissions/
California State University-Dominguez Hills
1000 E Victoria St
Carson, CA 90747-0005
(310) 243-3300
California State University-Fresno
5241 N Maple Ave
Fresno, CA 93740
(559) 278-4240
California State University-Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90840-0115
(562) 985-4111
www.csulb.edu/about/
California State University-Los Angeles
5151 State University Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90032
(323) 343-3000
California State University-Sacramento
6000 J St
Sacramento, CA 95819-2694
(916) 278-6011
www.csus.edu/admissions/
California State University-San Bernardino
5500 University Pky
San Bernardino, CA 92407-2397
(909) 537-5000
Cerritos College
11110 Alondra Blvd
Norwalk, CA 90650-6298
(562) 860-2451
cms.cerritos.edu/admissions-and-records
Chaffey College
5885 Haven Ave
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737-3002
(909) 987-1737
www.chaffey.edu/
Chapman University (Orange, CA)
One University Dr.
Orange, CA 92866
(714) 997-6815
www.chapman.edu/admission/
City College of San Francisco
50 Phelan Ave
San Francisco, CA 94112-1898
(415) 239-3000
www.ccsf.edu/AR
Claremont Graduate University
150 E Tenth St
Claremont, CA 91711-6160
(909) 621-8000
www.cgu.edu/pages/102.asp
College of the Canyons
26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd
Santa Clarita, CA 91355-1899
(661) 259-7800
College of the Sequoias
915 S Mooney Blvd
Visalia, CA 93277-2214
(559) 730-3700
www.cos.edu/
Cosumnes River College
8401 Center Parkway
Sacramento, CA 95823-5799
(916) 688-7344
Cypress College
9200 Valley View
Cypress, CA 90630-5897
(714) 484-7000
www.cypresscollege.edu
Dominican University
50 Acacia Ave
San Rafael, CA 94901-2298
(415) 457-4440
www.dominican.edu/
El Camino Community College District
16007 Crenshaw Blvd
Torrance, CA 90506
(310) 532-3670
Fresno City College
1101 E. University Ave
Fresno, CA 93741
(559) 442-4600
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S Chestnut Ave
Fresno, CA 93702-4709
(559) 453-2000
www.fresno.edu/admissions/
Fullerton College
321 E Chapman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832-2095
(714) 992-7000
admissions.fullcoll.edu/
Gavilan College
5055 Santa Teresa Blvd
Gilroy, CA 95020
(408) 848-4800
Hartnell College
411 Central Avenue
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 755-6700
www.hartnell.edu/
Holy Names University
3500 Mountain Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619-1699
(510) 436-1000
www.hnu.edu/
Hope International University
2500 E Nutwood Ave
Fullerton, CA 92831-3199
(714) 879-3901
Humboldt State University
1 Harpst Street
Arcata, CA 95521-8299
(707) 826-3011
John F Kennedy University
100 Ellinwood Way
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-4817
(925) 969-3300
www.jfku.edu
La Sierra University
4500 Riverwalk Parkway
Riverside, CA 92515-8247
(951) 785-2000
www.lasierra.edu/admissions
Lake Tahoe Community College
One College Drive
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-4660
Lancaster Beauty School
44646 N 10th St W
Lancaster, CA 93534
(661) 948-1672
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
(909) 558-1000
www.llu.edu/apply/
Los Angeles Mission College
13356 Eldridge Avenue
Sylmar, CA 91342-3245
(818) 364-7600
www.lamission.edu/admissions/
Los Angeles Southwest College
1600 W Imperial Hwy.
Los Angeles, CA 90047-4899
(323) 241-5225
www.lasc.edu
Loyola Marymount University
One Lmu Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90045-2659
(310) 338-2700
Mills College
5000 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94613
(510) 430-2255
www.mills.edu/
MiraCosta College
One Barnard Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056-3899
(760) 757-2121
Mission College
3000 Mission College Blvd
Santa Clara, CA 95054-1897
(408) 988-2200
www.missioncollege.org/
Monterey Institute of International Studies
460 Pierce Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 647-4100
www.miis.edu/
Mt San Antonio College
1100 N Grand Ave
Walnut, CA 91789-1399
(909) 594-5611
www.mtsac.edu/pathways/
Mt. San Jacinto Community College District
1499 N State St
San Jacinto, CA 92583-2399
(951) 487-3002
National University
11255 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037-1011
(800) 628-8648
www.nu.edu/Admissions.html
Notre Dame de Namur University
1500 Ralston Ave
Belmont, CA 94002-1908
(650) 508-3500
www.ndnu.edu/admissions/
Orange Coast College
2701 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-5005
(714) 432-5072
Pacific Union College
One Angwin Ave
Angwin, CA 94508-9707
(707) 965-6313
www.puc.edu/enrollment
Pasadena City College
1570 E Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91106-2003
(626) 585-7123
www.pasadena.edu/admissions/
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Dr
San Diego, CA 92106-2899
(619) 849-2200
www.pointloma.edu/admissions
Porterville College
100 E College Ave
Porterville, CA 93257
(559) 791-2200
www.portervillecollege.edu/
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95822-1386
(916) 558-2111
Saint Marys College of California
1928 Saint Marys Road
Moraga, CA 94556
(925) 631-4000www.stmarys-ca.edu
San Diego City College
1313 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92101-4787
(619) 388-3400
www.sdcity.edu/
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Dr
San Diego, CA 92182
(619) 594-5200
arweb.sdsu.edu
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132
(415) 338-1111
San Joaquin Delta College
5151 Pacific Ave
Stockton, CA 95207
(209) 954-5151
www.deltacollege.edu
Santa Ana College
1530 W. 17th Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706-3398
(714) 564-6000
www.sac.edu/
Shasta College
11555 Old Oregon Trail
Redding, CA 96003
(530) 242-7500
www3.shastacollege.edu
Simpson University
2211 College View Drive
Redding, CA 96003-8606
(530) 224-5600
www.simpsonu.edu/
Taft College
29 Emmons Park Drive
Taft, CA 93268
(661) 763-7700
www.taftcollege.edu/
The National Hispanic University
14271 Story Rd
San Jose, CA 95127-3823
(408) 254-6900
www.cs.utep.edu/
University of California-Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616-8678
(530) 752-1011
www.ucdavis.edu/
University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA 92697
(949) 824-5011

University of California-San Diego
9500 Gilman Dr
La Jolla, CA 92093
(858) 534-2230
www.ucsd.edu
University of Redlands
1200 E. Colton Ave
Redlands, CA 92373-0999
(909) 793-2121
www.redlands.edu/
University of San Francisco
2130 Fulton St
San Francisco, CA
94117-1080
(415) 422-5555
www.usfca.edu/
University of Southern California
University Park
Los Angeles, CA 90089
(213) 740-2311
www.usc.edu/
University of the Pacific
3601 Pacific Ave
Stockton, CA 95211-0197
(209) 946-2011
web.pacific.edu/x14983.xml
West Hills College-Coalinga
300 Cherry Lane
Coalinga, CA 93210
(559) 934-2000
www.westhillscollege.com/
William Jessup University
333 Sunset Blvd.
Rocklin, CA 95765-3707
(916) 577-2200
www.jessup.edu/admission