Accelerated Teaching Credential for Undergraduate Science Majors
The Science Teacher Education Program (STEP) enables undergraduate science majors to complete their credential work during their senior (last) year and then obtain a Master of Education in the year following graduation. This is a collaboration with the School of Education’s Teacher Education Program.
Highlights of the Program
- Enroll in UCLA's Teacher Education Program (TEP) during senior year
- Social Justice Agenda
- Receive $2,000 scholarship after completing undergraduate degree
- Earn full time salary while teaching in Los Angeles urban schools while working towards Master degree
Program Requirements:
- GPA 3.0 or higher
- Expected graduation by end of Spring 2028.
- Must meet subject matter proficiency by September 1, 2027 to participate in Fall 2027.
See “Applying for a credential” page for more information on subject matter proficiency and other requirements.
If you are planning to demonstrate subject matter proficiency via degree, please confirm that you are eligible for this option prior to applying by contacting Emma Hipolito, Director of UCLA TEP, at hipolito@gseis.ucla.edu. You should verify that your specific UCLA major qualifies as a STEP student.
If you will be demonstrating subject matter competency via CSET exams, you will need to take both sections of the CSET (Science Subtests I & II) for your area of concentration. They must be passed by September 1.
Before Applying:
It is highly advised that potential students contact Professor Arlene Russell, aarussel@g.ucla.edu to further discuss this program (STEP). We will meet with students as early as their 1st year to begin creating an education plan that would make them eligible for STEP.
If you are interested in attending an online information session, see UCLA Teacher Education Program website here for dates and registration links.
To Apply:
To participate in the STEP program during your senior year (last year), you should apply during the Fall Quarter of your junior year (year prior to your last year).
The application deadline for the 2027-28 academic year is December 1, 2026.
A completed application consists of
- online application with essay
- three letters of recommendation
- unofficial UCLA transcript
- scores reports or proof of registration for all CSET tests that you wish to include as part of your application.
All materials are to be submitted to the Cal Teach Office and not to the School of Education and are due by December 1, 2026.
At least one letter should address your academic potential, and another letter address your teaching experience/potential. Letter writers should email a pdf copy of their letter directly to cateach@ucla.edu.
Unofficial UCLA transcripts can be obtained through My.UCLA.edu. Transfer students should also submit unofficial transcript(s) from their transfer institution(s).
The unofficial transcript(s) and CSET score reports/proof of registration should be emailed by the applicant to cateach@ucla.edu.
Online Application - due December 1, 2026
[This is the previous year’s application, provided for your reference only – do not submit it until it is updated]
Group Interview
As part of the application process, you will attend a group interview on one of the following Saturdays: [January 2027 dates to be determined]
Saturday, January TBD, 2027; either 9-1 or 1-5
Saturday, January TBD, 2027; either 9-1 or 1-5
During the interview, you will convene with other applicants to discuss an issue pertinent to K-12 urban schooling and social justice.
You will select one of these dates and times in the online application. The Graduate School of Education will confirm your interview time and location after you apply.
Timeline
After submission, your application will be reviewed by UCLA TEP.
You should be contacted by TEP to confirm your interview time. (You will be given a choice of date and times in the online application). All STEP applicants will be interviewed as part of the application process, but occasionally the actual interview dates or times will differ from those stated in the application. For questions related to the interview date and time, please contact Emma Hipolito, Director UCLA Teacher Education Program, at hipolito@gseis.ucla.edu.
Notification of acceptance will be sent by US mail by UCLA TEP towards the end of March.
The Cal Teach office does not review or make decisions regarding admission to the program.
Once accepted (for planning purposes only*):
In order to begin student teaching during the Winter quarter of your first year in the program (i.e. senior/last year as undergraduate), you will need to provide proof of completion of the following requirements:
1) Certificate of Clearance (COC) - details and forms will be provided by Graduate School of Education
2) TB Test - must be dated within 30 days of starting at your school
3) US Constitution requirement - You may either take an online exam or pass an approved college-level course. The UCLA approved courses are Hist 13A, Hist 13B, Hist 13C, Hist 143A, Hist 143B, or Pol Sci 40. *The CA Commission on Teacher Credentialing will not accept AP credit for this requirement. Please check directly with Graduate School of Education to confirm how to satisfy this requirement for your particular situation, and to confirm the most up-to-date UCLA course list.
4) Infant, Child, & Adult Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification - options include courses offered by UCLA SWC or American Red Cross
5) CSET Passing Score Report or approved degree or coursework - CSETs must be passed prior to September 1, 2027 at the very latest, or you will not be able to participate in the program beginning Fall 2027.
All of the above must be submitted during Fall Quarter of your first year by the deadlines provided by the Graduate School of Education (typically by December). For more specific and updated information about these requirements, please contact Imelda Nava, TEP Faculty Advisor at inava@ucla.edu.
*Disclaimer: you should verify all requirements directly with the Graduate School of Education; this "once accepted" list is intended to provide information to aid your planning only.
Courses to be taken during program (may vary by year):
See overview of TEP program (you will be completing the equivalent of the UCLA Two-Year Graduate Program)