Shasta College

What you'll study

Shasta College is a community college and does not run a Master of Education award. However, it offers coursework and programmes that prepare students to transfer into bachelor’s and postgraduate education programmes. Typical subject areas that feed into a master’s in education include:

• Foundations of education — history, philosophy and sociology of education that frame policy and practice.
• Psychology of learning and development — child and adolescent development, educational psychology and special educational needs.
• Curriculum and pedagogy — instructional design, assessment strategies, subject-specific methods and inclusive classroom practice.
• Educational technology — digital tools for learning, blended and online pedagogy, and technology integration.
• Research methods — qualitative and quantitative methods, action research and evidence-based practice that underpin master’s dissertations or capstone projects.
• Leadership and policy — school leadership, educational policy, finance and community engagement for those moving into administrative roles.

If you intend to progress to a Master of Education you should focus on completing transferable general education and major coursework (for example, an Associate Degree for Transfer or equivalent) and any prerequisite courses required by your intended university programme, such as statistics or research methods.

Entry requirements

Because Shasta College does not offer a master’s award, entry requirements below are given as two linked steps: the local entry into Shasta College programmes that prepare you for a master’s, and typical requirements for progression into a Master of Education at a university.

• Shasta College preparation level — open-enrolment for many associate and certificate courses; specific programmes such as teacher preparation or child development may require submission of high school/college transcripts, placement testing and, for some practicum placements, background checks and immunisation records.
• Progression to a university master’s — most Master of Education programmes require a completed bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a minimum grade-point average, and often evidence of classroom experience or a teaching credential. Universities commonly ask for academic references, a personal statement, and sometimes a CV and interview. Specific prerequisites (for example, teaching credentials, subject background or research-methods courses) vary by institution.

Prospective students should consult the admissions pages of the universities they plan to apply to for exact requirements and use Shasta’s counselling and transfer centre to plan which courses meet those prerequisites.

Career prospects

A completed Master of Education opens a range of professional pathways. Graduates commonly work as:

• Classroom teachers with advanced qualifications or specialisms (early years, special education, subject leadership).
• School leaders and administrators (assistant principal, curriculum coordinator) when combined with relevant leadership pathways and experience.
• Specialist roles such as educational psychologists’ assistants, literacy/numeracy coaches, curriculum developers and inclusion coordinators.
• Further education and training roles, adult education tutors, and learning designers in colleges and community settings.
• Positions in educational policy, advocacy, non-profit organisations and professional development providers.

Students who begin their study at Shasta College and then complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree can combine practical classroom experience with advanced study to improve career mobility and salary advancement, depending on local pay scales and certification requirements.

Why study at Shasta College

Shasta College is a community-focused institution that provides an affordable, accessible start to a career in education. Key advantages include:

• Transfer-focused pathways — courses and advising aimed at transferring to four-year universities, including preparation for education majors.
• Small class sizes and personalised support — closer contact with instructors and access to tutoring, which helps build strong academic foundations for later postgraduate study.
• Practical experience opportunities — child development and lab-school settings, practicum arrangements and community partnerships that provide valuable classroom exposure.
• Student support services — transfer centre, career counselling and assistance with applications to teacher-preparation programmes and universities.
• Flexible study options — a range of day, evening and online classes to accommodate work and family commitments while completing transfer requirements.

If your goal is a Master of Education, begin at Shasta College to complete transferable coursework and practical experience, then work with Shasta’s transfer advisers to identify universities that offer the master’s specialism you need and to meet their entry requirements.