Teaching Credential Program

Turn Your Bachelor’s Degree into a Teaching Career

Prepare to become a teacher through Pacific’s fully online, non-degree credential program. Designed for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree, the program can be completed in 12–16 months and offers multiple start terms throughout the year.

Earning a teaching credential in 2026 is a timely, high‑impact next step for college graduates who want meaningful, stable work that directly serves their communities. Across California, districts continue to report persistent teacher shortages, especially in special education, math, science and bilingual education. Prepared, credentialed teachers are in high demand statewide. Pursue your teaching credential now will position you for strong job prospects and opportunities for advancement, and prepares you to step into classrooms where students urgently need consistent, well‑trained educators ready to stay and make a difference.

Candidates may pursue a Multiple Subject, Single Subject or Education Specialist credentials while completing online evening coursework and required in-person fieldwork in local schools.

Please note: This program format cannot support an I-20 for international student visas.

How It Works

Students begin by completing two required prerequisite courses through the Center for Professional & Continuing Education before their official program start term.

After successfully completing prerequisite coursework and meeting credentialing requirements, students begin the Credential-Only program sequence in their admitted pathway: Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Education Specialist.

Courses are offered online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction, with evening classes typically scheduled Tuesday through Thursday. Fieldwork is completed in person at local schools.

Fully Online Coursework

12–16 Months

Multiple Start Terms

Choose your Teaching Credential Pathway

Want to earn both a master’s degree and a California teaching credential?

Explore our Master's in Education + Teaching Credential Program

Already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to earn a California teaching credential without completing the MA degree?

The Credential-Only Teaching Credential Program is a great fit for you. Keep reading!

Which Credential is Right for Me?

A Multiple Subject Teaching Credential authorizes you to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom, typically in elementary schools (TK–6) and some middle school settings. It’s the best fit if you want to be an elementary teacher, working with one group of students across the day and integrating reading, math, science, and social studies.

Course List

A Single Subject Teaching Credential authorizes you to teach one specific subject (such as English, math, science, social science, or art) in departmentalized settings, usually middle and high schools. Choose this pathway if you want to be a subject-area specialist, teaching your discipline to multiple classes of adolescents.

Course List

An Education Specialist Teaching Credential prepares you to teach and support students with disabilities across a range of settings, from general education classrooms to specialized programs. This credential is right for you if you’re drawn to special education, want to individualize instruction, and collaborate closely with families and school teams to meet diverse learning needs.

Course List

Prerequisite Courses Before You Enroll

Students must complete the required prerequisite courses through Pacific’s Center for Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) before beginning the official Credential-Only program sequence. Prerequisite course timing will depend on the student’s intended program start term, and students will receive registration guidance prior to enrollment.*

*Contact us for details regarding prerequisite course timing based on your intended start term.

XBCG 216 - Nature and Condition of Learning

XBCG 259 - Teaching English Learners

What else do you need to apply?

Bachelor’s degree
Official transcripts
Current resume
One letter of recommendation
Completed application

Apply Now

Application Help

Student Teaching and Internship Options

All candidates in Pacific’s teaching credential program complete required, in-person fieldwork in K–12 school settings as part of their California teacher preparation experience. This hands-on component helps candidates apply online coursework in real classrooms while building practical skills alongside mentor teachers and university supervisors.

Please note: Fieldwork is required and completed in person. Internship positions are not guaranteed.

Student Teaching

Unpaid
Students complete a minimum of 600 hours of fieldwork in a supervised placement with a mentor teacher.
Student teaching may be completed full-time over one semester or part-time over two semesters.

Internship

Paid Teacher of Record
Students who meet intern eligibility requirements may pursue a paid internship as the teacher of record while completing the credential program.
Interns receive mentor support and university supervision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Students must complete XBCG 216 Natures & Conditions of Learning and XBCG 259 Teaching English Language Learners before beginning the Credential-Only program. These courses are taken through CPCE prior to the official program start term.

Students complete the required prerequisite courses before beginning the official Credential-Only program sequence. These courses do not need to be completed before applying, but they must be completed before students begin their Credential-Only program coursework and fieldwork sequence. Timing will depend on the student’s intended start term.

Required prerequisite courses:

XBCG 216 — Natures & Conditions of Learning — 3 units

XBCG 259 — Teaching English Language Learners — 3 units

XBCG 216 — Natures & Conditions of Learning — 3 units

XBCG 259 — Teaching English Language Learners

The prerequisite courses are required and are a separate cost from the main Credential-Only program sequence because they are taken through CPCE before the official program start. Prerequisite course costs may vary by start term.

Beginning with the Spring 2027 start, prerequisite courses will be charged at the Credential-Only program rate of $675 per unit.

Credential coursework is offered online through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Fieldwork is required and completed in person at local schools.

No. Students who meet intern eligibility requirements may pursue internship opportunities, but internship positions are not guaranteed.

Yes. The Credential-Only program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to earn a California teaching credential without completing the MA degree.

Credential-Only program tuition is currently estimated at $675 per unit. Total program cost is estimated to range from approximately $18,000–$22,000, depending on credential pathway, required coursework, fieldwork route, and start term.

Additional costs may include exams, credentialing fees, Live Scan, CPR certification, and other state or university requirements.