» Secondary Education

• Submit an online application (for Summer start only).
• A statement of intent, the prompt can be found within the application.
• A current resume or CV. 
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
• One set of official transcripts from all institutions the applicant has received (or will be receiving) a degree from. 
• Two letters of recommendation are required. 
• Submit passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or equivalent.
• Applicants must have a minimum admission grade point average of 3.000. Applicants with an admission grade point average between 2.750 and 2.990 may be considered for admission, and if admitted, will have a hold placed on their second term’s registration. Students must be in good academic standing to continue in the program. Students whose admission grade point average is below 2.750 will not be considered for admission for the Teacher Education master’s degree programs.
• Submit passing score on, or proof of registration for, the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) applicable to their credential area or equivalent.
• $60 application fee.

For more information on Teacher Education Program requirements, please visit our designated information page. Visit Chapman's website to submit your Graduate Program application here. 

Fieldwork and Graduation Requirements:

• Teacher Education Program Requirements
• Teacher Education Admission Testing Requirements

Additional Teacher Education Fieldwork Notes:

• All candidates will participate in a minimum of 600 fieldwork / clinical practice hours across the arc of the program.  

Course Sequence:

• 2022-2023 Graduate Catalog 
• 2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Interested in Applying? 

MAT Secondary Education: Apply Today!

• Small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratio.
• Hands-on, community-based learning connects coursework to student teaching
• MA in Teaching (MAT) Secondary Education program is 36 units
• Cohort model with a summer term start
• Four terms are required to complete the MAT Secondary Education program: Summer/Fall/Spring/Summer
• Paid University Intern Credential program available (in lieu of unpaid student teaching).
• Students who already possess a single subject or multiple subject teaching credential from California are not eligible for admission to the MAT Secondary Education program.
• For the Secondary Education (Single Subject teaching credential) course of study, you need to meet with your advisor to make a plan.

The Attallah College of Educational Studies has developed a specific MA in Teaching Music Education program for those who wish to teach music at the elementary, middle school, or high school levels. The program has three substitutions for current degree requirements.

Please see the MA in Teaching Music Education page for more information.

Our teacher credential programs are grounded in research associated with best practices in teacher education and education in K-12 settings, including components for teacher education such as intense clinical experience (Darling-Hammond, 2010); video-based lesson self-evaluation (Dieker et al., 2009); action research and performance assessments (Darling-Hammond, 2006); and coursework focusing on working with English language learners (ELLs) and students with disabilities, culturally responsive pedagogy, Universal Design for Learning, differentiated instruction, and assessment.

The Chapman teacher education program aims to develop pre-service teachers who:

• Possess strong content knowledge and the ability to use and reflect upon effective inclusive, research-based, and subject-matter integrated pedagogies. 
• Align themselves with educational theories reflective of John Dewey’s progressivism and Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy with the goal of relationship based and sustainable systems for a more equitable and socially just world. 
• Value diversity and inclusiveness as an asset and are capable of fostering student strengths to support all students to reach their academic, personal, and societal potential. 
• Demonstrate collaborative, resilient, caring, creative, and democratic attributes of a professional teacher.
• Integrate a developmental understanding of the whole individual in classroom and school communities. 
• Value, engage, and ally with students and their families who come from multiple and overlapping community contexts both local and global.   
• Commit to ongoing learning throughout their career.

Program Director

• Trisha Sugita, Ph.D.

Faculty

• Tara Barnhart, Ph.D., NBCT
• Meghan Cosier, Ph.D.
• Margie Curwen, Ph.D.
• Roxanne Greitz Miller, Ed.D.

Credentials

• Leah Klingsporn

Program Support

• Teacher Education
  

Fieldwork

• Stephanie Farrington

Where is Chapman University located?

Chapman University is located in the City of Orange, California, near historic Old Towne Orange. Our beautiful campus is centrally located in Orange County, a short distance from the 5, 55, 22, and 91 freeways.

What teaching programs do you offer?

The Attallah College of Educational Studies offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with an embedded Single Subject Credential or Multiple Subject Credential. See the Teaching Credential webpage for the complete list of credentials offered.

Can I enroll in the credential-only program?

No, Chapman offers combined teaching credential and master's degree programs. Our combined programs can be completed in as few as 15 months. Students must select their master's degree program and type of credential(s) prior to applying.

How long does the program take to complete?

The combined MA in Teaching (MAT) and credential program takes 15 months to complete full time. Those admitted in Summer are in a cohort sequence of Summer/Fall/Spring/Summer.

What is the cost of the program?

Tuition for the 2023–2024 academic year is $1,130/credit (see the Tuition & Fees page for full details). All Attallah College graduate program applicants who submit all their materials by the program's priority deadline are automatically considered for tuition fellowships and scholarships.

Where can I information about tuition, financial aid, scholarships, and grants?

Visit these webpages for more details about the cost of Chapman Teacher Education Programs as well as available scholarships and grants:

• Financial Aid
• Tuition & Fees
• Attallah College Tuition Fellowships and Scholarships

A variety of state and federal grants are also available for future teachers, including the Golden State Teacher Grant, TEACH Grant, and Cal Grant. Download the State and Federal Financial Aid for Future Teachers guide for more details and links to additional resources.

What time are classes held?

Classes are held between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Fieldwork takes place in late afternoon during the Summer or during a typical school day in Fall and Spring.

Additionally, your full-time (Spring) student teaching term will be conducted during district contract hours, Monday through Friday.

When is the application deadline?

Chapman admits one cohort per year (with a summer term start) to the teaching credential and MA in Teaching programs. See the graduate admission webpage for all Attallah College application deadlines.

Do I need to submit any test scores with my application?

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) is allowing applicants to teacher education graduate programs to submit exam scores, evidence of sufficient coursework, or a mixture of coursework and exam scores to fulfill their Basic Skills and Subject Matter Competency Requirements. See the Teacher Education Admission Testing Requirements webpage for full details.

Where can I mail my supporting documents?

Chapman University
Office of Graduate Admission
One University Dr.
Orange, CA 92866

How do I submit my letters of recommendation?

Your letters of recommendation will be submitted electronically through the online application. On the left-hand side of the online application you will be asked to input the name and email address of your recommenders. They will receive an email with information on submitting your letter of recommendation electronically. We do not accept written letters of recommendation directly from the student.

Can the credential(s) I earn at Chapman be used to practice/work in any state other than California?

Chapman University offers degree programs that lead to professional licensure within the state of California, and which may also allow graduates to be eligible for licensure or certification in other states. However, other than for the state of California, Chapman has not made an independent determination as to whether its programs’ curriculum meets a particular state's educational requirements for licensure or certification. Therefore, students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact the state’s licensure entity where they intend to practice to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by the state(s) of their choice. Chapman is not responsible if a student is unable to qualify for state licensure or certification.

What if I have a question about an admission decision?

1. Any applicant who wishes to inquire about or to appeal an admission decision made by the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at the Attallah College of Educational Studies may contact the program administrative assistant in writing at teachereducation@chapman.edu. If the student wishes to submit a formal written grievance, this must be received by teachereducation@chapman.edu within 10 days of admissions decision. Once the written grievance has been received, it will be forwarded to the program coordinator, who will review documentation with the admissions committee and respond in writing to the candidate.
2. If the student wishes to further grieve the response they may do so in writing to teachereducation@chapman.edu within 10 days of grievance response. At this point, the applicant's file (including candidate’s application package and review scores) will be forwarded to the program coordinator and a meeting will be arranged with the applicant to review applicant documents and program decision. 
3. Should the applicant desire to file a formal grievance, a written appeal should be sent within five working days to the Associate Dean of Graduate Education or Dean. The Associate Dean or Dean will confer with the applicant and meet with the program coordinator and faculty if appropriate. Within 10 business days of meeting with the Associate Dean or Dean, the applicant will receive a formal written statement indicating the decision of the college.

How do I receive more information?

The Attallah College of Educational Studies offers monthly graduate information sessions. These sessions are great opportunities to obtain further information about the program and meet with the program coordinator.
RSVP for an information session »

To request further information about Chapman University's Graduate Programs, please complete the form at the link below so that the Office of Graduate Admission can send you more information about life as a Panther.
Request information on this program »