Master's in Elementary Education in California

California elementary teachers are paid on district salary schedules, and a master's usually lands you on a higher column. Without the Multiple Subject credential, no district can hire you into a classroom.

The two routes divide along that line. Some bundle the preliminary credential and the master's into one sequence; others assume you hold a credential and add the degree on top.

Programs run online, hybrid or on campus, and tuition varies widely against a salary bump fixed by contract. What separates these programs is accreditation and whether credential coursework is embedded in the degree.

Credential-Plus-Master's or Degree Only? Pick Your Starting Point

Prospective teachers reach this decision from two opposite directions. One has never held a teaching license and needs a credential before anything else. The other already teaches on a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential and wants a master's for the salary schedule.

If you do not yet hold a credential

A credential-inclusive master's solves both problems in one sequence. Programs built this way, such as the MAT Multiple Subject Program at UC Irvine or the University of San Francisco MAT with Multiple Subject/Bilingual Authorization, fold Commission-approved preparation coursework into graduate study, so student teaching, the performance assessment, and master's seminars run together. The UC Davis Master of Education and Teaching Credential follows the same logic. No credential is needed to start this route, because you are earning one as you go.

If you are already licensed

Degree-only programs usually expect a credential in hand, because they build on classroom practice instead of replacing it. The Pacific Oaks College M.A. in Education, Elementary Education and the San Francisco State Elementary Education MA belong to this second group.

What the credential itself requires

The Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential is a five-year credential issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. It rests on a baccalaureate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution, with basic skills folded into that degree requirement, plus:

• Subject matter competence: an approved subject-matter program, CSET, verified coursework, or a combination of routes.
• Clinical practice: supervised student teaching or another approved clinical structure.
• Performance assessment: required before the program recommends you for the credential.
• Literacy assessment: since RICA retired on June 30, 2025, candidates take the Foundations of Reading Examination or another approved literacy assessment.

A master's degree alone does not authorize teaching in a California public school.

Rules of thumb

• No credential yet: pick a program that awards the credential and the master's together.
• Already licensed: pick the degree-only track that fits your schedule and your district's salary schedule.

California Elementary Education Master's Programs Ranked by Cost, Outcomes and Format

What separates the strongest California elementary education master's programs is how tightly the degree is welded to the credential. The top of this list carries credential credits straight into the master's, embeds clinical practice in real classrooms from the first term, and finishes in one to two years rather than stretching across several years of night classes. Graduation rate and average net price shown on each card describe the whole institution, not the elementary education program alone, while the tuition line is graduate tuition.

Rank	School	Location	Net price	Best for
#1	San Francisco State University	San Francisco, CA	$5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.)	SFSU credential graduates adding a master's
San Francisco State builds its elementary education master's as an extension of its own Multiple Subjects Credential Program, so the cohort is made up of teachers who trained on the same campus. Twelve credential credits carry into the degree, and the remaining 18 units, capped by a field study, run in late afternoon and evening sections designed for working teachers. It is the most direct route in the state for SFSU credential alumni who want a master's without repeating methods coursework. Elementary Education MA — On-Campus Three part-time semesters at 6 credits each, or 12 plus 6 credits Open only to SFSU Multiple Subjects Credential graduates Credential must be completed within three years of starting the MA 12 credential credits apply; 18 additional MA units required Capstone is EED 895 Field Study, plus an ISED 797 research seminar Courses meet late afternoon and evening Application fee waived for current credential students Median earnings $73,845 one year after completion; $77,699 at four years Visit Website
#2	University of California-Irvine	Irvine, CA	~$15,000/yr (est.)	Career changers entering elementary teaching
UC Irvine folds a Multiple Subject credential and a master's into one summer-to-summer MAT, with a two-course mathematics and science methods thread and a three-quarter student teaching block. A Bilingual Authorization Program runs alongside the core sequence, and the curriculum is organized around the program's Five Core Commitments to equity, learners, practice and leadership. Candidates finish prepared to teach across the whole elementary curriculum rather than in a single subject. MAT Multiple Subject Program, Master's — On-Campus 14-month program running late June to the following July One start date per year, in summer Awards the master's degree and the teaching credential together Bilingual Authorization Program available Two-course mathematics and science methods sequence Three-quarter student teaching plus a field-site inquiry project Curriculum organized around the program's Five Core Commitments Median earnings $65,591 one year out; $79,921 at four years Visit Website
#3	University of California-Davis	Davis, CA	$15,000 – $20,000/yr (est.)	Bilingual candidates adding Spanish or Mandarin authorization
UC Davis runs a one-year, full-time Master of Education and Teaching Credential that starts in summer quarter and finishes in spring, anchored by a year-long placement under a mentor teacher. Candidates can add a Bilingual Authorization in Spanish or Mandarin, and the master's comes from a yearlong inquiry project conducted in their own classroom. Three admissions rounds, from priority in January to space-available in June, give applicants a late window many California programs do not offer. Master of Education and Teaching Credential — On-Campus One-year, full-time program from summer quarter through spring Multiple Subject Credential awarded with the M.Ed. Year-long placement with a mentor teacher Bilingual Authorization in Spanish or Mandarin Yearlong classroom inquiry project earns the master's Three admissions rounds: January 15, March 1, June 1, 2027 Single Subject options in English, math, science, social science, agriculture Visit Website
#4	Alliant International University-San Diego	San Diego, CA	~$20,000/yr (est.)
Alliant's California School of Education pairs a Master of Arts in Education with a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential on 8-week terms across eight terms, making it the most schedule-friendly option on this list for working adults. Clinical practice is threaded through every term rather than saved for the end: two observation terms, then student teaching or a four-term internship under a Master Teacher. English Learner authorization is embedded in the credential, and the program prepares candidates for CBEST, CSET and RICA. Master of Arts in Education with Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential — Online Fully online option 37 units across eight 8-week terms Two 8-week student teaching terms with 60 observation hours each Alternative route: four 8-week internship terms English Learner authorization embedded in the credential Prepares candidates for CBEST, CSET and RICA Credential approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Action research in professional practice built into the program Median earnings $59,992 one year after completion; $75,075 at four years Visit Website
#5	University of the People	Pasadena, CA
University of the People offers an affordable, open-enrollment M.Ed. in Advanced Teaching with a concentration in Elementary and Middle School Education for grades K-8. It is built for independent and international schools rather than California public school licensure, and it was developed with the International Baccalaureate, so qualified graduates can bypass the IB Category 1 workshop requirement. Readers who need a Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential should look further down this list. Master of Education in Advanced Teaching (Elementary and Middle School Education, K-8) — Online Fully online option 39 semester credit hours across at least 13 courses 9-week courses carrying 3 credits each Concentration in Elementary and Middle School Education, grades K-8 Capstone project required Does not lead to state licensure or certification Developed with the International Baccalaureate Qualified graduates can bypass the IB Category 1 Workshop requirement Visit Website
#6	Pacific Oaks College	Pasadena, CA	~$22,000/yr (est.)
Pacific Oaks pairs a Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education with preparation for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential, placing fieldwork across more than 25 public schools and closing with a full-time student teaching semester. Classes run at the Pasadena campus with an online component, or fully online with six sessions a year. A portfolio, not a thesis, is the culminating requirement, and every student works with an assigned faculty advisor. Master of Arts in Education, Elementary Education — Online or On-Campus 43 credits with the credential; 37 for the stand-alone credential Leads to the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential 75 practicum hours logged before student teaching Full-time student teaching in the final semester Portfolio required for degree conferral Fieldwork placements at more than 25 public schools Intern teachers earn full salary and benefits Median earnings $54,916 one year out; $65,108 at four years Visit Website
#7	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt	Arcata, CA	~$10,000/yr (est.)
Cal Poly Humboldt offers an M.A. in Education with an Elementary Education emphasis in 30 units, split between a research-heavy core and 12 emphasis units chosen with an advisor. Credential coursework may count toward the emphasis, which shortens the path for teachers who already hold a Multiple Subject Credential. Candidates finish with either a thesis or a master's project, and classes meet online in the evenings, a practical fit for teachers in the northern part of the state. M.A. in Education, Elementary Education Emphasis, Master's — Online 30 units: 18 core plus 12 emphasis units Evening online classes Credential coursework may count toward the emphasis Thesis or master's project option Core includes educational research and mixed methods Five concentration options, chosen with an advisor 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester units required for admission TOEFL 550 for applicants from non-English instruction institutions Visit Website
#8	University of California-Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA	~$14,000/yr (est.)
UCLA's Teacher Education Program awards an M.Ed. and a Multiple Subject credential through a two-year structure: student teaching in partner schools in year one, then a paid teaching position in a partner district while completing an inquiry-based research project. The Elementary Grade K-5 pathway is one of six, and the whole program is framed around social justice teaching in urban, low-income California schools. It is the most research-intensive route on this list, and the most clearly tied to a district pipeline. Teacher Education Program, Elementary Grade K-5 (M.Ed.), Master's — On-Campus Two-year program awarding the M.Ed. and a Multiple Subject credential Year one: student teaching in partner schools Year two: paid teaching position in a partner district Inquiry-based research project completes the master's One of six pathways; Elementary K-5 is the elementary route Social justice focus on urban, low-income California schools Housed in UCLA Center X within the School of Education Applications for the 2027-28 academic year due December 1, 2026 Visit Website
#9	University of San Francisco	San Francisco, CA	~$30,000/yr (est.)
USF's MAT with an Elementary Education concentration leads to a Multiple Subject Bilingual Authorization Credential and is built for candidates who intend to teach in bilingual or dual-language classrooms. The 45-unit program stacks required teacher education courses, credential methods coursework and three supervised teaching courses, then closes with two MAT courses on curriculum. Teaching for diversity and social justice runs through the required core rather than sitting off to the side. MAT in Education, Elementary Education Concentration, Master's — On-Campus 45 units leading to the MAT and a Multiple Subject Bilingual Authorization Credential 13 units of required teacher education courses Three supervised teaching courses, the last in bilingual authorization Credential methods coursework in reading, math, science and social studies Two MAT courses, six credits, on curriculum development Teaching for diversity and social justice built into the required core Median earnings $71,139 one year after completion; $71,273 at four years Visit Website
#10	Chapman University	Orange, CA	~$40,000/yr (est.)
Chapman's M.A. in Teaching in Elementary Education is an integrated 41-credit program that awards the Multiple Subject Credential and the master's together, with 35 credits of credential coursework and 6 more for the MAT. Student teaching happens in a Multiple Subject classroom, and a capstone project plus one elective rounds out the degree. Coursework spans early and upper elementary literacy, language acquisition, math and science methods, and teaching exceptional learners. M.A. in Teaching, Elementary Education (Multiple Subject Credential), Master's — On-Campus 41 credits total: 35 credential credits plus 6 master's credits Awards the Multiple Subject Credential and the master's together Student teaching in a Multiple Subject classroom, 6 credits 3-credit capstone project required Electives include pedagogies for social change and educational research Coursework spans literacy, language acquisition, math and science methods Introduction to exceptional learners built into the sequence Median earnings $59,689 one year out; $69,818 at four years Visit Website

How We Ranked California Elementary Education Master's Programs

Many California elementary education master's programs now fold the preliminary Multiple Subject credential into the degree, so a simple side-by-side comparison is harder than it looks. We used five factors to keep the comparison fair.

The five factors

Affordability looks at what students actually pay after aid. Outcomes draws on graduation rates and earnings after enrollment. Selectivity reflects how competitive admission is. Accreditation covers institutional standing. Format flexibility asks whether a program offers in-person, hybrid or online study, which matters if you are working while you train.

Where the data runs thin

Net price, graduation rate and earnings are reported for the whole institution, not for the elementary education program. A figure for Stanford University, UCLA or Chapman University describes the entire school, which may enroll very different students from a single teacher-preparation cohort. Read these numbers as a rough guide to a school's overall track record, not a promise about your own results.

What the ranking cannot tell you

The ranking does not confirm whether a given program is approved to recommend you for a California credential. Approval status can change, and a degree-only track is not the same as a credential-plus-master's route. Before you apply, ask the school directly which credential the program leads to, then check the program against the approved-program listings at the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).

California Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential at a Glance

How Do Graduates' Earnings Compare With the Debt They Carry?

San Francisco State University pairs the highest median earnings one year after completion ($73,845) with the lowest median debt ($18,834). Pacific Oaks College graduates carry the most debt ($55,102) against $54,916 in median earnings at one year, rising to $65,108 at four years. Chapman University is left off the chart because no program-level debt figure is reported. Before you enroll, weigh each program's median debt against the step-and-column salary schedule in the district where you expect to teach.

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What California Elementary Teachers Earn by Region

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates from May 2021 put average elementary teacher pay across these California areas between $78,720 and $92,860. For these metro and regional areas the agency published mean (average) wages rather than medians, while the most recent national median for the occupation was $63,970 in May 2025. Weigh these regional figures against the tuition and debt numbers earlier on this page, and remember that most California district salary schedules add pay for a master's degree and for postgraduate units, so check the schedule in the district where you plan to teach.