Master of Arts: Teaching Program Overview

A teaching certificate or bachelor’s degree is the first step towards a career in education, but a Master of Arts in Teaching can offer the advanced knowledge and instructional techniques to help you become a leader in this field. SDCC offers a fully online program to provide flexibility for those wishing to pursue this degree. This program caters to professionals in a wide range of roles, including new and experienced teachersprincipals, school district administrators, and local school administrators.  

A Master of Arts in Teaching from SDCC can improve your job prospects, advancement potential, and pay grade. These are great news for California-based teachers, as the post-graduate coursework required for their teaching credential puts them more than halfway to the completion of this graduate degree.  

The mission and vision of the Department of Education at SDCC is to nurture and develop excellent Christian educators who have an appropriate subject-matter foundation with an understanding of student behavior, competence in teaching, the ability to develop and encourage critical judgment and creativity, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards and Christian service.  

I absolutely loved being part of both the Teaching Credential Program and the Masters of Arts in Teaching program through San Diego Christian College. Both programs were filled with love and support from professors, small cohort sizes made me feel heard and seen, and the content was both practical and inspiring. I would highly recommend both of these programs to anyone looking to become a teacher or looking to obtain a master’s in teaching.

Attending San Diego Christian College was one of the best decisions I made to advance my professional career.

Haley Cydell '22

Master of Arts Teaching

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Online Classes

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BENEFITS

MA in Teaching Students Are Prepared For: 

  • Professional speaking and writing 
  • Conducting educational research  
  • Classroom Leadership
  • Developing community partnerships
  • Understanding the emerging trends in education 

You should consider an MA in Teaching if you: 

  • Have a Teaching Credential and a Bachelor’s Degree 
  • Desire to explore cutting-edge educational practices and theory
  • Seek to build empowering and dynamic communities of learning
  • Enjoy finding real solutions to the complex and pluralistic challenges being faced by schools and educators in our local and global communities
  • Desire to become an expert in your field and increase your leadership and career opportunities 

Graduates of the MA in Teaching work as: 

  • Elementary School Teachers
  • Middle School Teachers
  • High School Teachers
  • College Professors
  • School Administrators
  • Curriculum Writers
  • Instructional designers/developers
  • Educators in museums, parks, and even theme parks
  • Curriculum coordinators at the school and district levels
  • Training specialists in education, business, marketing, and more
  • Educational consultants
  • Public policy coordinators or analysts
  • Administrators or directors in educational nonprofit organizations
  • Managers of public or in-home daycares and preschools
  • Life coaches
  • Youth leaders 

PROGRAM DETAILS

SDCC offers the Master of Arts in Teaching that can be completed in as little as three (3) semesters or one (1) full year by any educator who holds a California Teaching Credential. You will learn from exceptional educators who are leaders in their field holding terminal degrees in education and leadership positions in schools, organizations, and the community. If you do not have a California Teaching Credential, you can enroll in SDCC’s Teacher Credential Program or the Combined Teacher Credential and MA in Teaching program.  

Pathway 1: California Teaching Credential Holder 

For students who hold a California Teaching Credential, the transfer credit for relevant graduate-level coursework and student teaching experience, it only takes an additional 15 credit hours to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching at SDCC. Since the ground-based education requirements are already covered via the teaching credential, students complete the remaining MAT courses 100% online.  

Courses you will take: 

  • Ethical Disposition and Decision Making in Classroom Leadership 
  • Community Partnerships in Multicultural Education 
  • Qualitative Methods in Educational Research 
  • Capstone Project A & B 

 

Pathway 2: Non-California Teaching Credential Holder 

For students who do not hold a California Teaching Credential, you can enroll in SDCC’s ground-based Teacher Credential Program (TCP) and transition into the Master of Arts in Teaching upon successful completion of the TCP. When you successfully complete your combined TCP and MAT program at SDCC you will have earned a Preliminary Teacher Credential and your Master of Arts in Teaching.  

Courses you will take: (1) Single Subject Credential, (2) Multiple Subject Credential 

Pre-requisites 

  • Introduction to American Government (1)(2) 
  • Introduction to Linguistics (1)(2) 
  • Instructional & Educational Technology (1)(2) 
  • Mathematics for Educators (2) 
  • Science Methods for Educators (2)
  • Biological Health Education (1)(2)
  • Integration of Visual & Performing Arts (2)
  • Introduction to Education (1)(2) 

Required for Multiple Subject Teaching Credential 

  • Teaching of Reading: Learning
  • Teaching of Reading: Reading
  • Educational Psychology
  • Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education
  • Inclusion, Collaboration, and the Exceptional Child
  • TESOL in Multicultural Classrooms
  • Student Teaching in Elementary School
  • Seminar in Directed Student Teaching 

Required for Single Subject Teaching Credential 

  • Educational Psychology 
  • Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Education 
  • Inclusion, Collaboration, and the Exceptional Child 
  • Adolescent Literacy 
  • TESOL in Multicultural Classroom 
  • Secondary Teaching Methods 
  • Student Teaching in Secondary School  
  • Seminar in Directed Student Teaching 

Required for Master of Arts in Teaching 

  • Ethical Disposition and Decision Making in Classroom Leadership 
  • Community Partnerships in Multicultural Education 
  • Qualitative Methods in Educational Research 
  • Capstone Project A & B 

FACULTY


Dr. Kathleen Poole, M.A., Ed.D
Adjunct Professor, Education 

 B.A. in Elementary Education, Judson University
M.A. in Educational Leadership, Aurora University
Ed.D in Curriculum and instruction, Aurora University 

Dissertation: The Impact of Student Demographics on ISAT Testing and the Resulting Perceptions of Teachers after Placement on Academic Warning  

Areas of Focus: 8th grade math, elementary school leadership, curriculum and instruction, professional development, graduate-level instruction, and held leadership positions in education as a school principal, director of curriculum, instruction, and professional development.  

I would like all students to know that through their program at SDCC, they have the interest and support of their instructors. I know for myself; my goal is their success.  


Dr. Joseph Marcos, M.A., Ed.D.
Adjunct Professor, Education  

B.S. in Physical Education, Cal Poly Pomona
M.A. in Education, Azusa Pacific University
Ed.D in Organizational Leadership
Dissertation: An analysis of the strengths-based leadership approaches of highly successful athletic directors in California’s secondary comprehensive high schools.  


Stacey Harrell, M.S., Ed.D 

B.A. Liberal Studies, Point Loma Nazarene University
California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
M.S. in Counseling Education, National University San Diego
Pupil Personnel Services Credential
Ed.D in Curriculum and Instruction, Northern Arizona University 

 Area of Focus: Restorative practices trainer, Trauma-Informed Practices Trainer, Self-injury, helping and healing, BRIEF counseling, PREPaRE School crisis training, CSEC training, Youth Mental Health training, Quantum Learning levels 1-5, Math Solutions level 1-3. 

As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you have to change the world.”  Becoming a teacher, you will impact and empower students for years to come. It will be hard, but extremely rewarding and well worth the difficulties it took to get there. 


DruAnne Kilpatrick 


Koryn Smith 

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