UC Davis to Launch New One-Year Master’s Degree and Teaching Credential Program in Summer 2027

The University of California, Davis is launching a new Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree and teaching credential program, which was approved by the University of California Office of the President in August. The School of Education will welcome the first cohort of students in July 2027, timed to coincide with the start of their K–12 student teaching placements.

The new program will allow students to complete their teaching credential and master’s degree in one year. The coursework and mentorship opportunities emphasize teaching methods, instructional development and educational research to prepare educators who can support their students and colleagues in an ever-evolving educational landscape.

“Teachers are critical to preparing the next generation to learn, grow and succeed,” said UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May. “Our new master’s degree expands access to teacher preparation and helps develop the educator workforce California needs to support student success and strengthen communities across our state.”

The M.Ed. replaces the School of Education’s six-quarter M.A. in Education pathway, which will be phased out as current students complete their degrees. The School of Education will continue preparing students for the multiple subject credential, single subject credentials in agriculture, English, math, science and social science, and bilingual authorizations in Spanish and Mandarin with students continuing to begin their programs in summer quarter.

UC Davis’s transition to the M.Ed. comes at a time when California is striving to meet the needs of over 5.7 million public school students. California does not track the number of unfilled teaching positions, so the most telling indicator of teacher shortages in California is the prevalence of substandard credentials and permits — temporary authorizations that, by law, are supposed to be issued only when fully credentialed teachers cannot be found. The number of such credentials has more than tripled since 2012–13. In 2024–25, close to 8,000 of these permits were granted in California.

The M.Ed. was developed under the leadership of Cynthia Passmore while she served as the chair of the UC Davis Teacher Education Program. “California has a high demand for confident and inclusive teachers,” said Passmore, now serving as the associate dean of the School of Education. “The M.Ed. creates a shorter and more affordable pathway to the profession while maintaining the thoughtful preparation that we are known for in the region. We can prepare teacher-leaders who begin their careers with a graduate degree and the knowledge and adaptability to meet their students’ changing needs. There are very few programs in California that offer this kind of rigorous one-year path to a master’s degree and credential.”

Making graduate education attainable for aspiring teachers

The new program’s shorter time commitment can make graduate education more attainable for aspiring teachers who are the first in their families to pursue a graduate degree, are balancing work or family responsibilities, or are weighing the cost of additional schooling against other financial obligations. In addition, graduates will enter the teaching profession with their master’s degree, which may qualify them for higher starting pay and higher earnings over the course of their careers.

“As teacher educators, we encourage our students to continually reflect on their practice and consider how they can better serve their students. We have a responsibility to do the same,” said Alexis Patterson Williams, professor and chair of Teacher Education. “The new M.Ed. reflects that commitment. We’re creating a more accessible pathway into the profession while remaining focused on preparing teachers who can create equitable and meaningful learning opportunities for the students and communities they serve.”

“Meeting our region’s workforce needs begins with making sure aspiring teachers have access to strong preparation,” said Ed Manansala, El Dorado County superintendent of schools and chair of the School of Education dean’s advisory board. “Schools need educators who understand their communities and who can support students with a wide range of strengths, languages and learning needs.”

Applications for the 2027–28 cohort are now open, and prospective students can visit the School of Education’s application page for prerequisites and instructions and apply through the UC Davis Graduate Studies website. The priority deadline for scholarship consideration is Jan. 15, 2027, followed by the general application deadline on March 1, 2027. Applications will continue to be accepted on a space-available basis through June 1. Questions can be directed to eduadvising@ucdavis.edu.