Contact Information
Director: Diana Murphy
Associate Director: Edgar Alonso
Telephone: 310.338.3774
Location: University Hall 1300
Introduction
This comprehensive two-year program combines coursework for the Master of Arts in Elementary Education or Master of Arts in Secondary Education with a State of California 2042 Preliminary Teaching Credential while participating in a Catholic teacher service corps. A Master of Arts in Reading Instruction, Special Education, or Guidance and Counseling may be available to applicants who have or will have by the time the program begins a credential, license or certificate to teach, pending transcript evaluation.
The PLACE Corps is a nationally recognized teaching service corps in partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the University Consortium for Catholic Education (UCCE). The PLACE Corps is built upon three pillars: spirituality, community, and professional development. This University program incorporates full-time teaching in an under-resourced Los Angeles Archdiocesan elementary or high school with an academic program through the School of Education.
The ideal candidate for the PLACE Corps is an enthusiastic recent college graduate who has an appreciation for Catholic education and wishes to “give something back.” The PLACE Corps member, serving as a role model in Catholic schools, will be instrumental in maintaining the traditions of Catholic education in Los Angeles.
The ideal candidate has an ardent desire to work with young people. There are no prerequisite courses, other than a Bachelor’s degree in any field. PLACE Corps recruits nationally. Interested students in the local area should attend an information meeting in the fall and subsequent application distribution meeting.
PLACE Corps members work under contract as teachers for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon the availability and offer of a compatible teaching position in an Archdiocesan PLACE Corps partner school. A portion of the Corps member’s salary will contribute toward housing and other member expenses.
Participants of this service corps may be eligible for the AmeriCorps Education Award and an LMU grant which contribute toward tuition.
Those admitted to the new cohort are required to attend the Orientation Weekend in April. The orientation includes such topics as program expectations, the academic program, housing, and program funding. Incorporated into the weekend is an opportunity for the PLACErs to meet their principals. Contracts for employment will be offered by the Archdiocese through the individual school.
Application Deadline: The PLACE Corps application has two components, an online and paper application. The deadline for the online application is January 17. The deadline for the paper application is January 31. The full-time commitment begins the subsequent summer.