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Teachers for Tomorrow's Schools prepares K-12 teachers in a two-year program that leads to both a teacher certification and a master's degree in education. The focus of teacher education at Mills is to prepare reflective, collaborative, visionary teacher leaders through careful integration of research, practice and theory in a program that combines course work and classroom teaching. The urban focus of the program, reflected in course work and the careful selection of two field placements each year, grows out of a commitment and responsibility to the communities in which we live. Graduates leave our program inspired to use teaching to deepen student learning, transform schools, and increase educational equity. Prospective teachers choose either a multiple subject (grades K-6) or single subject (grades 6-12) credential program. In the single subject credential program, we offer credentials in art, English, foreign language, math, sciences, and social studies. Prospective teachers spend their first year taking courses and student teaching in classroom settings. In a second year of the program, students complete their master's degrees as full-time teachers, a feature unique to Mills. Through course work which emphasizes research on teaching and learning in one's own classroom and school, teachers are supported to become professionals and leaders in their schools.
Please see Requirements and Deadlines for information about admissions guidelines and Requirements for information about course work required to complete this program.
Teaching Credentials
The Mills School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the preparation of students for the following credentials:
Early Childhood Special Education Credential
Multiple Subject Credential
Single Subject Credentials in Art, English, Foreign Language, Math, Sciences, and Social Studies
Student teaching is a key experience that parallels the course work in the credential programs. Students are generally placed in different local urban schools each semester; some multiple subject credential students will have one of their semester assignments in the Mills College Children’s School.
Our teacher preparation programs encourage collegial interactions among prospective teachers in order to maximize future effectiveness as professionals. In addition, the program provides time for students to reflect extensively on classroom teaching experiences. Relevant research provides frameworks in which to think about everyday practice. Peer observations, case conferences about teaching, videotaping, and extensive interactive supervision by Mills faculty, student teacher supervisors, and cooperating teachers characterize teacher preparation at Mills.
Multiple Subject Credential
Prospective teachers in grades K–6 should apply to the multiple subjects credential program. During the first year of the program, students study full time at Mills to earn their teaching credential. Frequently offered jobs even before they finish their credential year, students put what they’ve learned into practice right away as student teachers and then teachers in California elementary schools. Any time in the subsequent five years after completing the credential, student may enroll in the Master's in Education with an Emphasis in Teaching (MEET) program. Most often scheduled on a part-time basis over two years, this program is comprised of four courses offered in the early evening.
All K–12 credential programs have a cross-cultural, language, and academic development emphasis. California teaching credentials are accepted under reciprocity agreements in many states.
Single Subject Credentials
Prospective teachers in grades 6–12 should apply to the single subject credential program. We offer credentials in art, English, foreign language, math, sciences, and social studies.
During the first year of the program, students study full time at Mills to earn their teaching credential. Frequently offered jobs even before they finish their credential year, students usually put what they’ve learned into practice right away as teachers in California middle and high schools. Any time in the subsequent five years after completing the credential, student may enroll in the Master's degree in Education with an Emphasis in Teaching (MEET) program. Most often scheduled on a part-time basis over two years, this program is comprised of four courses offered in the early evening.
All K–12 credential programs have a cross-cultural, language, and academic development emphasis. California teaching credentials are accepted under reciprocity agreements in many states.
Regarding Teacher Credentialing
The State of California Education Code requires credential candidates to complete both the Basic Skills Requirement and the Subject Matter Requirement in order to receive credit for student teaching. Typically, these requirements are met by passing the CBEST and CSET. If a candidate is not able to pass the needed test before the end of the spring semester of their credential year s/he will be required to move into an "In Progress" status until all the testing requirements are completed.
How to File: This request is to be submitted to the Program Coordinator (who will file it with the M Center) no later than the last day of instruction of the spring semester (see the current Academic Calendar for date). In addition, the student must pay the one-time $500 administrative fee, which will be billed to the student by student accounts. (In the case where teaching supervision is still needed, a $1,200 supervision fee will be added to the $500 administrative fee.) Once the student has completed the testing requirements, s/he must notify the Program Coordinator by the last date of instruction in the current semester of the intent to return the following semester in order to complete the student teaching requirement.
Please Note: If this In-Progress form is not filed by the deadline, the M Center will change the status of the student to "Withdrawn" and will assume that the student will not be attending the following fall semester. In the case of a withdrawal, the student will be required to pay any lapsed administrative and supervision fees in order to return and complete the requirement. The maximum time limit for the In-Progress status is six consecutive semesters following the credential year.
Students must complete the remaining requirements in the sixth (last) semester, at the latest. If the requirements are not completed by the end of six semesters, the student’s candidacy will lapse. If the student separates from the College and does not pay the In-Progress fee but wishes to return at a later date, s/he will be assessed a $700 reinstatement fee in addition to the above fee(s).
Master of Arts Degree in Education
with an Emphasis in Teaching (MEET)
This degree program is a continuation of the teacher credential program and includes a second year of study aimed at developing the teacher's classroom practice and inquiry stance. Six of the required ten courses for the master's degree are completed during the credential year, and the remaining four courses are taken while students are working as full-time or part-time classroom teachers; therefore, these classes meet in the early evening. Students may enroll any time within the five years subsequent to completing the teaching credential program. These final four courses are designed to continue to prepare and support credential graduates as they enter the teaching profession, and are taught in a collaborative seminar style. Building on the work of the credential year, the teachers develop their ability to engage in classroom-based inquiry focused on their teaching and their students' learning. This approach aims to build the skills of teacher leadership as well. A year-long teacher research project focused on the teacher's practice is the program's culminating experience.
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