February 12, 1999
United States International University is among the first to receive approval from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) to develop a new and accelerated approach for preparing teachers.
Under this new undergraduate program, students wishing to become teachers in the state of California will be able to complete both their bachelor's degree and teacher preparation courses required for a state credential in slightly more than four years. Currently in California, students are required to complete nine months of teacher preparation, after completing a four-year undergraduate degree, in order to get a teaching credential.
"The new blended degree/credential program will permit students to enter the teaching profession in less time than is now required and will help address California's teacher shortage," states USIU President Garry D. Hays.
USIU's "blended" program is elementary education will lead to a bachelor's degree in liberal studies and a multiple subject preliminary teaching credential with CLAD (cross-cultural language and development) emphasis, preparing graduates to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. Because it includes both the B.A. and the preliminary teaching credential, students in this program complete 204 quarter units, instead of the typical 186.
Accelerated approval from CCTC allows institutions meeting specific criteria to implement the blended degree/credential option while addressing standards established by the Commission. Schools receiving accelerated approval have one year in which to address the CCTC's Interim Standards for Blended Programs of Undergraduate Teacher Preparation.
USIU was notified of the CCTC's approval of this innovative teacher preparation program in late January, and will begin admitting students for Fall Quarter 1999. This blended degree program is offered jointly through USIU's Departments of Global Liberal Studies and Education.
The interim standards provide for accelerated approval for some institutions wishing to establish such blended programs. USIU is one such university to have received accelerated approval.
In September 1998, SB 2042 (Alpert, Mazzoni), which encourages the expansion of blended programs, was signed into law.
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