Education, Dual Degree in Teacher Preparation Program

Administrative Office

School of Education, Room 246

Phone: (415) 422-6321

Jeff Buckwalter, Director

Mary Coen, Associate Director

The Dual Degree in Teacher Preparation Program (DDTP) has been designed specifically to serve students who have an interest in teaching as a career. As an accelerated program it offers one of the most efficient and economical paths to becoming a teacher.

This program prepares students to teach in California's schools. The DDTP is a blended (graduate/undergraduate) program through which students earn a Bachelor's degree in the major of choice and a Master of Arts in Teaching. DDTP students will also complete the requirements to be recommended for a California Teaching Credential.

Students in this program must have at least a 3.0 high school Grade Point Average (GPA) to qualify to enroll in the program and must maintain at least a 2.75 GPA in their college coursework, as well as a 3.0 GPA in their major. To successfully complete the program, students will:

• Complete the bachelor's degree program.
• Pass the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test)and/or relevant comprehensive subject matter (CSET) examinations.
• Complete School of Education coursework to qualify for a preliminary credential from the State of California.
• Complete Master of Arts in Teaching coursework.

The program involves following a rigorous course schedule, usually 16-18 units a semester, in order to complete the requirements for the Bachelor's degree, the credential, and a Master's degree from USF's School of Education in five (5) years. Without the Dual Degree program, the preliminary credential would normally take one and a half to two years to complete beyond the Bachelor's degree, with additional time to earn a Master's.

Students intending to teach in elementary schools will complete all applicable University requirements, with the exception of the language requirement, plus various courses designed to help them to acquire proficiency in the subjects covered by the CSET exams. Students intending to teach high school also complete all the applicable University requirements (including the language requirement) and will take subject matter preparation courses in English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Science in preparation for the CBEST and CSET exams.

Ideally, the program begins in the first semester of freshman year. However, continuing USF students and transfer students are welcome to apply. For these students, the program may require modifications and, in some cases, more time.

For more information about the DDTP program, contact the DDTP office at (415)422-6321, dualdegree@usfca.edu, or http://www.usfca.edu/dualdegree.