San Diego Christian College

What you'll study

The MAT curriculum focuses on leadership, community engagement, qualitative educational research and a two-part capstone. Course titles listed by SDCC include:

• Ethical Disposition and Decision Making in Classroom Leadership
• Community Partnerships in Multicultural Education
• Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
• Capstone Project A & B

For combined TCP+MAT students the programme also includes the credential coursework and methods appropriate to single- or multiple-subject credentials (see Entry requirements for listed credential courses and methods).

Entry requirements

Pathway 1: California Teaching Credential holders may apply and complete the MAT with an additional 15 credit hours; since credential coursework and student teaching are accepted as transfer credit, remaining MAT courses are delivered online.

Pathway 2: Applicants without a California Teaching Credential enroll in SDCC’s ground-based Teacher Credential Program and transition into the combined TCP and MAT; completion yields a Preliminary Teacher Credential and the Master of Arts in Teaching.

Prerequisite and credential coursework shown by SDCC includes Introduction to American Government; Introduction to Linguistics; Instructional & Educational Technology; Mathematics for Educators (for Multiple Subject); Science Methods for Educators (for Multiple Subject); Biological Health Education; Integration of Visual & Performing Arts; Introduction to Education; plus the required sequences for Multiple Subject (e.g., Teaching of Reading, Educational Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction in Elementary Education, Inclusion/Collaboration and the Exceptional Child, TESOL in Multicultural Classrooms, Student Teaching and Seminar in Directed Student Teaching) or Single Subject (e.g., Educational Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction in Secondary Education, Adolescent Literacy, Secondary Teaching Methods, Student Teaching and Seminar in Directed Student Teaching).

Career prospects

Graduates from the MAT program work across K–12 and beyond. SDCC lists typical roles including:

• Elementary, middle and high school teachers
• School administrators and district curriculum coordinators
• Instructional designers/developers and curriculum writers
• Training specialists, educational consultants and nonprofit education directors
• College professors, museum/park educators, daycare/preschool managers, youth leaders and life coaches
• Public policy coordinators or analysts

Scholarships & funding angle

The programme page does not specify scholarships; prospective applicants should consult SDCC’s financial aid office and institutional pages for graduate funding options, employer tuition support, and any credential-linked tuition benefits that may apply when combining the TCP with the MAT.