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Curriculum & Instruction Education & Leadership
The Department of Education & Leadership seeks to empower students through a process of seeking, knowing and serving. Students study theoretical principles and pedagogical practices to gain professional, ethical, and caring competence.
Our programs are unique. At the undergraduate level we focus on coaching you with the skills needed to become a professional teacher while at the graduate level we prepare you for a role in educational leadership.
Our Mission
The Education & Leadership Department in La Sierra University's School of Education is devoted to the preparation of master educators to serve effectively in public and private schools. Our graduates serve as professional teachers, directors of instruction, subject matter specialists, and college professors. We train students at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels.
Stories of Our Alumni
In 2011 I graduated with my BA in Liberal Studies with no intent of becoming a teacher. I was young and wanted to explore all my options to make sure I found the perfect career for me. I had an amazing job in a retail store where I was in charge of training employees in 32 other stores as well as my home store. I loved the work and my coworkers but was not a fan of the retail schedule. I wanted more out of life so I began looking around and got offered a job working in an office. I worked in the office for two years but was miserable everyday. Finally I enrolled in La Sierra's MAT program and now I am happy to say I am a first grade teacher. I love going to work everyday and know I am in the right career.
Patricia Vieira
Our Approach
Technologically Advanced
Our Education & Leadership programs use bleeding edge technology like our virtual classrooms to give you the best preparation possible.
Caring is built into our Curricula
We instill the same care that we have for our students into all our graduates, making them truly exceptional educational professionals.
Grounded in Neuroscience
Our programs are based on a firm foundation of neuroscience enabling you to benefit from instruction methods that are tailored to how our brains learn.
(Edited for brevity )My background is in business. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly, Pomona. My emphasis was in plant management and human resources. I ended up owning an insurance agency for 25 years.
I married into a family of teachers. I tried substitute teaching, and that is where I decided to go back to school to earn by Masters in Teaching, and to become an elementary teacher.
During my time subbing, I tried every grade, from TK to 12th, and mild to severe special education. I came to realize that my real passion was not just teaching, but teaching the younger students. They still like their teachers, they want to learn and do well for their teachers, and they are still teachable. I want to teach students about the importance of teamwork, taking care of themselves, finding solutions rather than seeing only problems, keeping themselves motivated, managing their time effectively, taking responsibility for their actions, and being nice to others.
Hugh Barker-Hatch
La Sierra Advantage
Economically Priced
One of the lowest cost teaching credential programs for a private university in the state can become even more affordable with one of our many scholarships.
A Heritage of Excellence
Founded in 1922*, La Sierra University has a proven track record of almost 100 years. That is 100 years of experience and improvements giving you the best education has to offer.
Individual Attention
Our small class sizes allow us to give you the individualized attention that you need. With an average of 16:1 student-teacher ratio your professors will know you by name.
STEM Education Pathways
How do the Pathways Work?
Students can complete their degree in four years by following the STEM Education Pathways outlined below. An understanding with Alvord Unified School District guarantees that students who complete this program have immediate job placement to complete their teaching credential (the student teaching portion) and continued employment thereafter should they choose to stay in the Riverside area.
Why STEM Education Pathways?
STEM degrees at La Sierra are rigorous and well-prepare students for graduate degrees or professional schools. However, not all students are interested in that trajectory, and not all students enter La Sierra with that path easily accessible to them. Students who want to teach STEM at the secondary level have the added academic load of credential courses through the School of Education as required by the State of California. Most of the time, completion of a STEM degree plus the credential courses is not possible within four years, even for students who enter La Sierra adequately prepared to start college-level math (approximately 20% of incoming students). Completing the student teaching portion of the credential, which is currently required for La Sierra students seeking a secondary teaching credential, takes additional time, as well.
Current Guided Pathways Offered Course Checklists & Sequencing
STEM Education:Chemistry, BA | STEM Education:Health & ExerciseScience, BS | STEM Education:Physics, BA |
OUR EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Teaching
Master of Arts
Become a leader in Education with our 36-Unit Masters in Teaching and benefit from our 35% discount.
Please Note: If you want to work on your teacing Credentials, the only time we allow NEW students to start is Summer and Fall Quarter
Neuroscience & Education
Educational Specialist
Become a leader in Education with our 45-Unit Ed.S (Educational Specialist) degree.
Curriculum & Instruction
Doctor of Education
Get your Doctorate in Education, with a focus on Higher Education.
The CalTPA-Ongoing Formative Assessment Program (CalTPA-OFA)
If you are a California Preliminary teaching credential candidate please note that we have started an ongoing formative assessment process for the California Teaching Performance Assessment (CalTPA) exams that you will take during your student teaching experience. This applies to all Multiple Subject, Single Subject and World Languages credential candidates.
Attached is a document called “CalTPA form asst one pg”. Please complete the top of this form (through current courses and term) and email it to caltpa@lasierra.edu You should also keep a copy of this document so you can monitor your progress. The current courses should be as of fall, 2022. You will then be notified when you are enrolled in the new CalTPA Ongoing Formative Assessment Blackboard page.
Once you are enrolled, please begin reviewing each of the pages (Announcements, Content, Assignments) in order. You are expected to successfully complete at least 2 rubrics and associated documents for each course you are enrolled in. For example, if you are enrolled in 1 course, then you must successfully complete rubrics 1.1 and 1.2 during the quarter. Two courses means four rubrics, and so on.
There are a total of 17 rubrics you will need to complete successfully before you will be able to enroll in student teaching. Please also remember that you must complete the CSET (or waiver), CBEST/BSR (or waiver) and RICA exams (multiple subject only) before you will be able to enroll in student teaching.
If you are enrolled in student teaching or are serving as a current intern, you will receive this information in your student teaching/internship seminar. You do not need to enroll in the CalTPA-OFA program. If you have questions, please send them to caltpa@lasierra.edu.
35% Tuition Scholarship
Enroll now and benefit from our 35% tuition scholarship for the MAT program. Learn more...
Course Schedules
Contact US
Curriculum & Instruction
(951) 785-2484
Fax: (951) 785-2205
edci@lasierra.edu
Office hours
Monday–Thursday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fridays
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM