Thanks to high salaries and a plethora of open positions, California is easily one of the best states for educators. Teachers in California make $20,000 more than the national average, and there is an abundance of open roles because the state is facing a teacher shortage. To become a licensed educator, the first step is to apply to teaching degree programs in California.
Fortunately, you’ve found the right guide to determine the top education and teaching programs in California, discover financial aid options, and more. Continue reading to learn about the top on-campus and online education and teaching programs in California along with everything you need to know before applying.
Best Colleges to Earn a Teaching Degree in California: Campus-based
California is known for its great higher education system, and education degrees are no exception. While there are many top education and teaching programs in California, the spotlighted schools below stand out in terms of affordability, accreditation, and student support resources. Use these three schools as examples when looking at all education and teaching degree programs in California.
University of California Berkeley
When looking at the best education and teaching programs in California, consider the degrees offered by the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley). Its master’s and PhD programs are for licensed teachers or curriculum developers who want to become scholars and experts in educational research. Graduates of these programs typically become professors or work on education research projects for schools, government organizations, nonprofits, and think tanks.
While UC Berkeley’s graduate degrees are research-focused, its undergraduate degree in education is focused on the hands-on skills needed to be a licensed teacher. These include a student teaching experience, foundational education courses, and the ability to specialize in an area of interest. Requirements for the education undergraduate degree include taking courses in teaching and learning, learning in global contexts, and understanding education and social transformation. Students also complete an educational research capstone project. Since all programs are intensive and require face-to-face interactions, degrees are only offered on-campus.
Delivery:
- On Campus
- Full-Time
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Education
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Education
- PhD in Education
Specialization Options:
- Education Research
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) hosts some of the best education and teaching programs in California because the school offers affordable, high-quality education programs at all levels. Students choose between getting an education undergraduate degree, master’s, PhD, or doctorate. UCLA’s undergraduate degree focuses on educational and social transformation, and there is a minor option with the same focus.
Graduate students have a bigger selection of specializations, including higher education, human development in education, social research methodology, comparative education, and urban schooling. Most concentrations are available at the master’s or PhD level, though urban schooling is only available for PhD candidates. UCLA also offers a master’s in principle leadership, student affairs, and transformative leadership for licensed teachers.
For those with bachelor’s degrees in other fields, UCLA hosts a Master of Education with teaching licensure. It also has a Doctor of Education in educational leadership. Because all programs require hands-on learning and many require student teaching experiences, all degrees are offered in person.
Delivery:
- On Campus
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Education, Educational and Social Transformation
- Minor in Education, Educational and Social Transformation
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Education, Comparative Education
- Master of Education, Higher Education
- Master of Education, Human Development
- Master of Education, Principal Leadership
- Master of Education, Social Research Methodology
- Master of Education, Student Affairs
- Master of Education, Teacher Licensure
- Master of Education, Transformative Leadership
- Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership
- PhD in Education, Urban Schooling
Specialization Options:
- Comparative Education
- Educational Leadership
- Higher Education
- Human Development
- Educational and Social Transformation
- K-12 Education
- Principle Leadership
- Social Research Methodology
- Student Affairs
- Transformative Leadership
- Urban Schooling
University of California San Diego
When looking at the top education and teaching programs in California, it’s crucial to consider the degrees at the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego). UC San Diego offers an undergraduate degree in education with the option to specialize in a specific grade level or subject area. However, its undergraduate program is better suited for those wanting to become high school teachers as opposed to early childhood educators. Undergrad students can also get minors in education for a single or double subject, such as social studies, English, or math.
For licensed teachers, UC San Diego offers a Master of Education with an emphasis on American Sign Language, a PhD in education, and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership. It also offers a Master of Education with teaching licensure for those who got their bachelor’s degrees in other fields but would now like to become licensed teachers. Since UC San Diego’s programs involve hands-on learning, all must be completed in person.
Delivery:
- On Campus
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Educational Studies
- Minor in Educational Studies, Single or Double subject
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Education, Licensure Program
- Master of Education, American Sign Language
- PhD in Education
- Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership
Specialization Options:
- American Sign Language
- Educational Leadership
- Secondary Education
Top Online Teaching Degree Programs in California
Let’s say you want to get your education degree but don’t have the time to commute to campus. Maybe you find it hard to sit still for in-person classes or want to cut costs. In any of these scenarios, online teaching degree programs in California may work better for you. There are many advantages to online learning, including added convenience, lower student fees, and flexibility with when and where you learn.
These benefits don’t mean all online education programs are created equal, though. You want to ensure you apply to the best online teaching programs in California for you. The best schools provide accredited, high-quality education and have experience with online learning formats. The three schools featured below can serve as a quality barometer as you research online teaching degree programs in California.
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University offers an online master of education and a hybrid doctorate of education. The master’s program provides student-teaching experiences and meets California licensure requirements because it was designed for those who have undergraduate degrees in a different field and aren’t licensed teachers. While all coursework is hosted online, students must complete two weekend orientations on-campus and a student teaching experience in person.
Santa Clara University works with students to find local schools for their teaching experiences, so students don’t need to live near campus to complete in-person requirements. For added flexibility, some courses are asynchronous while most are hosted at set class times in the evening. Students can also choose between getting their master’s or doctorate on a full-time or part-time basis. The part-time option makes balancing coursework with a full-time degree much easier.
Undergraduate Programs:
- None
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Education, Bilingual Education
- Master of Education, Catholic Education
- Master of Education, Educational Leadership
- Master of Education, Elementary Education
- Master of Education, Secondary Education
- Doctor of Education
Program Options:
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
- Partially Online
Specializations Offered:
- Bilingual Education
- Catholic Education
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
California State University
California State University is known as a leader in online learning, and its education degrees are no exception. Because California State University has so many campuses, online students have a variety of online and hybrid undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees to choose from.
Some of the most popular include the online bachelor’s in career and technical studies, a hybrid bachelor’s in child development, and an online doctorate in educational leadership. The reason California State University ranks among the best online teaching programs in California, though, is its master’s degree programs. The university system offers 36 specializations in its master of education program, including reading and literacy, multilingual education, education technology, educational therapy, e-learning, and instructional design. There’s also an online master’s in education for those seeking licensure.
Undergraduate Programs:
- Bachelor of Education, Career and Technical Studies
- Bachelor of Education, Child Development
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Art in Education
- Master of Science in Education
- Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership
Program Options:
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
- Partially Online
- Fully Online
Specializations Offered:
- Career and Technical Studies
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Early Childhood
- Educational Administration
- Educational Leadership
- Educational Technology
- Educational Therapy
- E-learning
- Elementary Education
- Extensive Support Needs
- Instructional Design
- Instructional Design and Technology
- Literacy and Reading
- Multilingual and Multicultural
- Secondary Education
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California (USC) is commonly considered among the best education and teaching programs in California. While the school does offer some fully in-person degrees, its online offerings are where the school shines. Online learners can enroll in a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership or one of its six online master’s in education. Licensed teachers can apply for a master’s specializing in teaching English to speakers of other languages, enrollment management and policy, learning design and technology, postsecondary administration, and school counseling.
USC also has a general master’s in teaching for those seeking licensure. While program formats differ slightly, most graduate degrees are offered in synchronous class sessions. Almost all degrees can be completed part-time or full-time, making them easy to balance with other commitments.
Undergraduate Programs:
- None
Graduate Programs:
- Master of Education, Enrollment Management and Policy
- Master of Education, General Teaching
- Master of Education, Learning Design and Technology
- Master of Education, Postsecondary Administration
- Master of Education, School Counseling
- Master of Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
- Doctor of Education
Program Options:
- Part-Time
- Full-Time
- Partially Online
- Fully Online
Specializations Offered:
- Enrollment Management and Policy
- Learning Design and Technology
- Postsecondary Administration
- School Counseling
- Teaching General
- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Types of Education & Teaching Degrees You Can Earn in California
California offers a variety of online and on-campus teaching programs for students at different points in their careers. To help you determine which program is right for you, the six most popular types are described below along with a list of some of the best online teaching programs in California for each.
Undergraduate Teaching/Education Degrees in California
Associate Degrees in Education
If you’re unsure if education is right for you, start with an associate degree. In a two-year associate program, you’ll learn the fundamentals of the field and discover if you want to continue to a bachelor’s program that prepares you for teacher licensure.
Accredited California Colleges with Associates Degrees in Education
- College of the Canyons (On Campus)
- Santa Monica College (On Campus)
- Foothill College (Hybrid)
Bachelor’s Degrees in Education
To become a licensed teacher, the minimum degree required is a bachelors. These four-year programs prepare students to become skilled educators and usually include in-person student teaching experiences.
Accredited California Colleges with Bachelor’s Degrees in Education
- San Diego State University (Hybrid)
- University of California LA (On Campus)
- Sacramento State College of Continuing Education (Online)
Graduate Education Degrees in California
Master’s Degrees in Education (MEd)
Master’s degrees serve two purposes, depending on the degree type. The first is a licensure program for those with bachelor’s degrees in other subject areas. The second is for licensed teachers who want to learn more about a specific area of education.
Accredited California Colleges with Master’s Degrees in Education
- California State University Fullerton (Online)
- University of California LA (On Campus)
- Santa Clara University (Online)
Doctorate of Education (EdD) Programs
To become a principal, school superintendent, or curriculum developer, an EdD is often needed. In EdD programs, students focus more closely on applying knowledge learned than on research.
Accredited California Colleges with Doctorate (EdD) Programs
- Fresno State University (Online)
- University of California, San Diego (On Campus)
- Santa Clara University (Online)
Education PhD Programs
The second type of doctoral degree is an education PhD. PhD candidates in the best education and teaching programs in California focus on conducting original research and defending a PhD thesis. These programs are for those interested in becoming experts in educational research.
Accredited California Colleges with Education PhD Programs
- University of California Berkeley (On Campus)
- University of California LA (On Campus)
- National University (Online)
Graduate Certificates
If you’re a licensed teacher who wants to continue your education but doesn’t want to commit to a full master’s or doctoral degree, consider graduate certificates. Graduate certificates are shorter, typically one or two semesters, than teaching degree programs and focus on a specific area of education.
Accredited California Colleges with Education Graduate Certificates
- Stanislaus State University (On Campus)
- California State University, Dominguez Hills (Online)
- California State University Bakersfield (Online)
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Education & Teaching Students in California
The average cost for a degree during the 2021-2022 school year was $15,000 to $26,000 per year, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. That’s a significant cost, which is why one of the criteria for being one of the best education and teaching programs in California is ample financial aid options. When looking at financial aid options, consider:
- Scholarships and grants
- Fellowships
- Student loans
- Assistantships
- Work-study programs
There are specific financial aid opportunities for education students in California. Three to consider are:
- Golden State Teacher Grant with awards of up to $20,000
- Scholarships from the California Teachers Association
- University-funded programs like that at California State University
Job Outlook and Earnings Potential for Education & Teaching Grads in California
Teachers in California make well above the national average and are in demand because of the state’s teacher shortage, and higher cost of living in the state. While being a classroom teacher is the most common career path for those with an education degree, it’s not the only one.
Education graduates can also work as school administrators in principal or superintendent positions. Learn more about salaries and job growth for different California educator roles in the table below.
| Job Growth Rate (2018-2028) | Average Openings (2018-2028) | Annual Mean Wage (2023) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher, Elementary Schools | 8% | 12,720 | $90,470 |
| Teacher, Middle Schools | 8% | 3,280 | $93,000 |
| Teacher, High Schools | 8% | 7,600 | $92,960 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | 8% | 1,670 | $119,880 |
| Special Education Teachers | 9% | 780 | $97,690 |
Sources: ONET OnLine; Bureau of Labor Statistics
California Teaching Professional and Student Resources
- California Teachers Association (CTA) The CTA provides educators with networking opportunities, free resources, and educational seminars. It also offers generous scholarships and grants for students in teaching degree programs in California.
- California Federation of Teachers (CFT) The CFT fights for the rights of educators. This union lobbies on behalf of educators, provides free resources for teachers, and offers scholarships to students enrolled in the top education and teaching programs in California.
- Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) If becoming a school administrator is your goal, consider joining the ACSA. It provides administrators with free resources, networking events, and a mentorship program. The ACSA’s website also provides information on different credentials and career paths.
- California School Employees Association (CSEA) The CSEA provides resources, continuing education webinars, and discounted tax and insurance services for many types of school employees. It also acts as a space where different types of school employees (e.g., including teachers, staff, and administrators) can come together and collaborate.
- TEACH California To help more Californians enter the education field, the California Department of Education created TEACH California. This organization helps you understand licensure requirements, promotions within education, and financial aid for the best education and teaching programs in California.
