Contact Information

Introduction/Overview

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Transformative Education (TRED) program is a fully online program available to candidates who have been admitted to, and are on track for, completion of the Preliminary Credential coursework in Multiple Subjects, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs in any pathway: Intern, Practitioner, Residency, or Graduate Traditional.  Please note, the online modality includes both synchronous and asynchronous course sessions. Currently, the program is offered to candidates in the Intern, Practitioner, and Residency pathway as a 1+1  Preliminary Credential and Master of Arts degree, whereby candidates are required to complete credential coursework, concentration coursework, and the research capstone sequence. The program is also offered to candidates in the Graduate Traditional pathway as a combined Preliminary Credential and M.A. degree, whereby candidates are required to both the credential and M.A. together.  Finally, the program is offered to candidates who may either hold a credential or are not eligible for a credential due to their teaching placement, whereby they take the same coursework as the other pathways to meet the M.A. degree requirements.

The TRED program consists of candidates who are student teachers or who are from existing  cohorts, including but are not limited to: Catholic Archdiocesan School Teachers (CAST), Green Dot, Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education Corps (PLACE), Seneca, Teach For America (TFA), and Wonderful, as well as, non-cohort candidates.  Some candidates in their Preliminary Credential program may require additional pre-service coursework, required coursework, and requirements in order to be eligible for credential recommendation and progression into the TRED program. For specific requirements, please see the Multiple Subjects, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs Preliminary Credential sections of the Bulletin.

The  TRED program develops critical educators with the knowledge and dispositions to advocate for educational equity; fosters skillful and ethical researchers who positively impact their respective context; encourages mutuality and collaboration with communities towards transformative relationships; and nurtures an ethic of care, solidarity, and professional responsibility with a particular concentration in one of the following areas (offerings based on enrollment and other availability factors)::

• Digital Learning
• Disability Studies and Inclusive Education
• Educational Policy and Administration
• Language and Culture
• Literacy
• Social, Emotional, and Cultural Learning & Wellness
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

The program also enables candidates to develop a deeper understanding of theory, research, and practice in education via the Research Capstone Sequence. Upon completion of the program, candidates should be prepared for a doctoral program and to make a significant contribution to the field of education.

Student Learning Outcomes

As a result of this program, candidates will:

1. Analyze the historical, sociocultural, political, and global context of education;
2. Engage in discernment, inquiry, and research to promote equity and inclusion for diverse students and communities;
3. Apply theory and research to professional practice in areas of concentration such as digital learning, educational policy and administration, language and culture, and literacy;
4. Advocate for social justice through collaboration with communities of practice.

Program Admission Requirements*

This program is available  to candidates who have been admitted to, and are on track for, completion of the coursework for the Preliminary credential in Multiple Subjects, Single Subject, or Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs, or through approval by the Academic Program Director. Specific admission requirements for the Preliminary Credential are listed in that section of the Bulletin \

• Application for M.A. from Credential if not admitted to the TRED program at the time of admission to LMU.
• 3.0 minimum GPA in the Preliminary credential program coursework.

*Specific partnerships may have alternate requirements different from those listed above.

Required Degree Coursework

The program is offered as a 1+1  Preliminary credential and Master of Arts degree, whereby candidates are required to complete credential coursework, concentration coursework, and the research capstone project sequence. More specifically, candidates are required to complete one of the following: (a) a maximum of 15 units from any of the Preliminary Multiple Subjects  credential courses listed below; (b) a maximum of 15 units from any of the Preliminary Single Subjects  credential courses listed below; or (c) a maximum of 18 units from any of the Preliminary Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Support Needs credential courses listed below.

Candidates must also take between 6-9 units from any of the concentration classes within one of the following concentration areas: (a) Digital learning, (b) Disability Studies and Inclusive Education, (c) Educational Policy and Administration, (d) Language and Culture, (e) Literacy, (f) Social, Emotional, and Cultural Learning & Wellness, and (g) Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). General Education Intern candidates completing the Intern Early Completion Option (ECO) program pathway must take additional elective courses, to be selected under advisement and approval from the Academic Program Director.

In addition, candidates are required to complete seven (7) units from the research capstone project sequence in order to fulfill the program requirements. Additional exceptions to the recommended sequence must be approved by the Program Director and/or Department Chair. 

Total: 31 semester hours

• The M.A. in Transformative  Education (including coursework completed in the credential program) must be completed within a five (5) year period. 

Additional Degree Requirements

• Application for Degree
• Professional Advising
• Disposition Rubic
• Exit Interview