Contact Information
Director: Edmundo F. Litton
Program Coordinator, Los Angeles: Natasha D’Costa
Telephone: 310.338.1768
Location: University Hall 1300
Assistant Director, Northern California: Jody Moody
Program Coordinator, Northern California: Stephanie Serventi
Telephone: 415.305.9361
This comprehensive two-year program combines coursework for the Master of Arts in Urban Education with a preliminary teaching credential while participating in Teach for America in Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, or California Capital Valley (Sacramento and Stockton areas), or an identified school intern partnership. The Bilingual Cross-Cultural Academic and Language Development or BCLAD teaching credential (Spanish or Mandarin emphasis) can be added to the credential if a candidate meets the requirements of this program. Applicants who already hold a CA teaching credential may be eligible to pursue a distinct Master of Arts program, depending on interest, application, and transcript evaluation.
Introduction
The School of Education is committed to social justice and therefore maintains a strong focus on serving underrepresented and under-resourced school communities. In order to advocate for education for these school communities and their students, the School of Education has partnered with Teach for America (TFA), the national corps of outstanding graduates of all academic majors who commit to teach in public schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to expand educational opportunities for all children. As the preferred university partner in Los Angeles since 2000, the LMU|TFA Partnership expanded to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2010. The LMU School of Education is currently the exclusive university partner with Teach for America in California, serving both the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay regions (San Jose, San Francisco, Oakland) and the California Capital Valley (Sacramento and Stockton). Since expanding to the Northern California regions, the School of Education now has approved regional centers in Northern California. The program information outlined below is based on the program offerings in Los Angeles and are available/applicable to LMU|TFA Partnership students in the Northern California regions, as well as established intern school partnership programs in both regions.
The LMU|TFA Partnership program requires that candidates work full-time in a public school district while they complete requirements for a California 2042 Preliminary Teaching Credential that aligns with their teaching assignment, and a Master of Arts degree. Once candidates are admitted into the LMU|TFA Partnership program, they will have the opportunity to choose a credential and/or Master of Arts degree program that supports their teaching assignment. All LMU|TFA students pursue a California SB2042 Preliminary Teaching Credential (either Multiple Subjects for K-5 teachers or Single Subject for grade 6-12) or a California Mild/Moderate Preliminary Education Specialist Teaching Credential. Candidates with an interest in bilingual education can also take additional courses to earn their bilingual authorization. Participants in the LMU|TFA program may be eligible for an Americorps educational award through their TFA membership. Participants are also eligible for an LMU SOE tuition grant that is contingent on full participation in all related grant program requirements and completion of their two-year commitment to TFA and LMU program.
The LMU|TFA program pathways include Elementary Education (Multiple Subjects), Secondary Education (Single Subject: Math, Science, English, Foreign Language, Social Studies), and Special Education. For specific information about the Special Education intern program pathway, please refer to the Special Education program section.