Become a Teacher
The State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing provides brochures with requirements and other information for five types of credentials. Learn the required steps for each type here. Some requirements are common among all five, and some are unique to the type of credential.
K-12 Teachers
Those who wish to teach K-12 without prior work experience will need a bachelor's degree, complete a Commission-approved teaching preparation course, and pass the CBEST.
Participating in Cabrillo's Education Department guarantees transfer to many four year colleges to obtain your bachelor's degree.
The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer is intended for students who plan to transfer and complete a Liberal Studies degree and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential to prepare them for elementary school teaching.
Multiple Subject/Elementary Teaching Credential
Elementary (Multiple Subject) Teaching Credentials authorize the holder to teach in self-contained classrooms such as classroom setting in most elementary schools. However, a teacher authorized for multiple subject instruction may be assigned to teach in any self-contained classroom (preschool, K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults). In addition, the holder of a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential may serve in a core or team teaching setting.
Single Subject/Secondary Teaching Credential
Secondary Teaching (Single Subject) Teaching Credentials authorizes the holder to teach the specific subject(s) named on the credential in departmentalized classes such as those in most middle schools and high schools. However, a teacher authorized for single subject instruction may also be assigned to teach any subject in his or her authorized field at any grade level- preschool, grades K-12, or in classes organized primarily for adults.
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Education Specialists Credential
Special Education (Education Specialist Instruction) Credentials authorize the holder to teach in the disability areas of specialization such as Mid/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairments, Physical and Health Impairment, and Early Childhood Special Education. One or more of the authorizations may be listed on the document for service in the following settings:
- Special day classes
- Special schools
- Home/hospital settings
- Correctional facilities
- Nonpublic schools and agencies
- Resource rooms
Career and Technical Teachers
Find out if teaching is your new passion. Your years of professional work experience count, and with some extra preparation you can give back to the community. You can teach the skills you love to K-12 or adults without taking 60 units toward an AA. Explore a teaching career by taking ED80, ED80L, and CBEST Preparation.
Adult Education Credential
Adult Education Designated Subjects Teaching Credentials authorize the holder to teach specific academic and non-academic subjects as named on the credential in courses organized primarily for adults, and in adult education programs administered by elementary and secondary school districts. In addition, the holder may serve as a substitute in courses organized primarily for adults for not more than 30 days for any one teacher during the school year.
Career Technical Credential
Career Technical Education Designated Subjects Teaching Credentials authorize the holder to teacher the subjects named on the credentials in grades 12 and below, and in classes organized primarily for adults, in technical, trade or vocational courses which shall be part of a program of technical, trade or vocational education. In addition, the holder may serve as a substitute in any vocational class for up to 30 days for any one teacher during the school year.
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Classes and Coursework
ED80
ED 80 is a lecture course which requires students to think deeply and creatively about the education field in the United States. The two-hour per week course provides a general introduction to educational theory and practice. Students receive two units for the course.
ED80L
ED80L is the Service Learning lab to ED80. Five hour per week are required. Students receive one college unit for the lab. ED80L gives students students the opportunity to work in a K-12 classroom alongside an experienced, credentialed teacher. Requirements for enrollment and completion of ED 80L include: attending a mandatory orientation (which takes place one week prior to the semester), attending weekly classes, fulfilling service learning requirements, and doing all written work for the class, which include several writing assignments that help the student reflect on his or her service learning placement. The ED 80L Service Learning lab can either be taken concurrently with ED 80 (the lecture) or upon completion of ED 80.
In addition, ED 80L students are required to unconditionally pass Cabrillo District fingerprinting and TB testing, either before the semester or no later than two weeks into the semester. The various school districts in Santa Cruz County also have fingerprinting requirements that must followed prior to placement in a service learning classroom.
CBEST Prep
This course is only offered in the Spring semester. The preparation course emphasizes the reading, mathematics, and writing necessary to prepare for and pass the California Basic Education Standards Test (CBEST). It provides basic skills in reading comprehension and test taking, basic math functions, and in depth essay writing.