Center for Undergraduate Teacher Preparation

From the time she was in elementary school, Tiffany Sidney dreamed of being a teacher. It started with her envy for the ability of her teachers to write on the whiteboard and grade papers; over time, Sidney’s love for the profession deepened as she saw the impact teachers could have on their students’ lives.

Sidney is now fulfilling her dream as part of a novel program that allows undergraduates to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from LMU and preliminary teaching credential from the School of Education in four years, then a Master of Arts in Educational Studies from SOE in just one additional year.

The Educational Studies Integrated 4+1 Program, offered through the Center for Undergraduate Teacher Preparation, is one of the ways the CUTP and SOE are helping to bolster the teacher pipeline in response to the teacher shortage in California.

Sidney, part of the program’s first cohort of 10 students, is currently in the master’s program. The 15 students in the program’s second cohort are completing their baccalaureate this year while simultaneously starting their coursework toward their master’s degrees, which they will continue next summer, putting them on track to earn their graduate degree with only one additional year. The program also allows students to delve deeper into an area of interest to them, such as literacy, bilingual authorization or special education, earning additional certification.

“The 4+1 saves me both time and money,” Sidney explains. “It also makes me a more competitive candidate when it comes to the hiring process. I will have the opportunity to perfect my skills in teaching by learning more theory and taking on the role of a substitute teacher before having my own class next year.”

By increasing the pipeline at the undergraduate level, we are addressing the teacher shortage. At the same time, we are meeting the needs of our students by ensuring that they have the knowledge and skills to succeed in the classroom from their first day.

The Educational Studies Integrated 4+1 Program

CUTP provides advising and other academic and professional support to LMU undergraduates interested in earning their teaching credential simultaneously with their bachelor’s degrees. “My involvement in CUTP has transformed me into an informed, enthusiastic and confident teacher, and I am very grateful to have had their support through this experience,” says Anne Scerbak, who is also part of the 4+1 program.

“By increasing the pipeline at the undergraduate level, we are addressing the teacher shortage,” says Annette Pijuan Hernandez, CUTP’s senior director. “At the same time, we are meeting the needs of our students by ensuring that they have the knowledge and skills to succeed in the classroom from their first day.”

The Teacher Pipeline Project

CUTP also implemented the Teacher Pipeline Project in 2018-19. The project, made possible through a $210,000 grant from Great Public Schools Now, aims to expand the pipeline by conducting outreach to high school and community college students who might be interested in teaching or another profession for which an education program of study would set a strong foundation. The project supports the Lion for a Day program, in which potential pipeline students are brought to campus for a tour and lunch on the bluff while learning about the teacher preparation programs, admissions and financial aid opportunities. This year, the students will also visit K-12 school sites to get a glimpse of their potential career.

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