Find Your Master's in Education Path at University of La Verne

In California’s public schools, a master’s degree unlocks salary schedule advancements and is required for administrative services credentials. In the Los Angeles metro, home to over 150,000 educators, this often means moving into department leadership or school administration.

University of La Verne’s LaFetra College of Education offers two distinct pathways: an M.Ed. in Educational & Teacher Leadership and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with embedded credential options. Each route targets a specific career stage, from classroom teacher to instructional leader. Both programs align with California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards, preparing educators for licensure advancement in teaching or administration.

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Teaching and Leadership Careers in the Los Angeles Metro: What La Verne Grads Need to Know

The Los Angeles metropolitan area is home to one of the largest and most diverse public school systems in the country, serving over 1.3 million students across dozens of districts, charter networks, and private institutions. For educators considering a master's degree, understanding this landscape is key to identifying where leadership and teaching opportunities are concentrated.

Major Districts and Charter Networks in the Region

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is the second-largest district in the nation, employing thousands of teachers, counselors, and administrators across more than 1,000 schools. Beyond LAUSD, substantial districts like Pasadena Unified, Pomona Unified, and Long Beach Unified each manage complex systems with their own staffing needs and leadership pipelines. In addition, charter schools such as Green Dot Public Schools, Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, and KIPP SoCal operate networks of schools that often seek mission-driven educators with advanced training.

California's Teacher Shortage and Leadership Demand

California continues to face a persistent teacher shortage, particularly in special education, math, science, and bilingual education. At the same time, many veteran educators and administrators are retiring, creating openings for instructional coaches, curriculum specialists, principals, and district-level leaders. A master's degree in education or educational leadership has become almost essential for these roles, with demand especially acute in urban and underserved communities across Los Angeles County.

Why a Local Degree Matters

Earning an M.Ed. from a university like La Verne, with deep roots in the area, offers distinct advantages. The program's partnerships with nearby school districts provide access to student teaching placements, internships, and professional networks that can lead directly to job offers. Faculty often have firsthand experience in local schools, and classmates are likely to be fellow educators working in the same communities, building a professional cohort that lasts beyond graduation. The university's career services and alumni networks are concentrated in Southern California, making it easier to learn about openings before they are widely posted. These connections can be critical when navigating California's credentialing requirements and transitioning into leadership positions within the region.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Flexible Learning: Online and Hybrid M.ed. Options for Working Educators

Can I earn a master’s in education online while teaching full-time at University of La Verne? Yes, both the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and the Master of Education in Educational & Teacher Leadership provide flexible pathways built around a working educator's schedule. Whether you need fully online asynchronous coursework, evening classes, or a hybrid blend, La Verne’s graduate education programs let you advance without pausing your career.

Online and Hybrid MAT for Aspiring Teachers

The MAT program added a fully online option in 2022¹, delivered through La Verne Online². Coursework is asynchronous, so there are no required login times; you complete weekly modules and discussion board posts on your own time. Online students choose from Multiple Subject, Single Subject, or Dual Credential tracks, plus a Mild/Moderate Education Specialist track that aligns with special education master's programs¹. Fieldwork and student teaching are arranged in local schools, so you never commute to campus. On-campus and hybrid sections still meet in the evening for those who prefer face-to-face interaction.

Flexible Leadership Pathways for Current Educators

The M.Ed. in Educational & Teacher Leadership appears in online, hybrid, and on-campus formats with evening and weekend scheduling³⁴. You can earn the entire degree online through the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential pathway, which leads to the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership⁵. Online courses use asynchronous discussion boards and modules⁴, while hybrid sections blend online work with occasional campus sessions. This approach lets you balance teaching and grad school with mentoring, department leadership duties, and other professional responsibilities.

How Delivery Formats Fit Your Schedule

All La Verne graduate education courses, whether day, evening, weekend, or online, are designed to mirror the rhythms of a teacher’s life⁴. The online platform gives you 24/7 access to course materials², so you can log in early morning before school or late evening after grading. For those who learn best through direct interaction, the evening and weekend on-campus meetings create cohort connections without clashing with your classroom. Hybrid formats offer the best of both: asynchronous online content supported by periodic in-person intensives. Whatever path you pick, you keep your job while earning a credential or degree recognized throughout California.

Questions to Ask Yourself

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What M.ed. Graduates Earn in Los Angeles: Salary and Job Outlook

Earnings for education professionals with a master's degree in the Los Angeles metro area are among the highest in the nation, fueled by California's elevated pay scales and the premium placed on advanced credentials. While individual salaries vary by role, district, and years of experience, the data points to six-figure incomes for many M.Ed. holders, consistent with broader master's in education salary trends.

Los Angeles Metro Wage Data for Education Roles

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports robust salaries¹ for key education positions in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim metropolitan area. The table below highlights available median or mean annual wages alongside employment levels.

Data for instructional coordinators, secondary teachers, and middle school teachers specific to this metro area are not reported by BLS at this time, but statewide trends suggest they also exceed national norms. For example, instructional coordinators across California typically earn between $90,000 and $110,000.

California's Premium: How Advanced Degrees Boost Earning Power

Nationally, elementary school teachers earn a median of approximately $63,000, meaning Los Angeles elementary teachers with a master's earn roughly 60% more, reflecting both the high cost of living and the state's aggressive investment in educator compensation; for administrators, the LA mean wage of $136,030 far surpasses the national median for K-12 principals, which hovers around $100,000.

Salary progression in education is closely tied to experience and education units: a teacher entering with a bachelor's and preliminary credential may start in the $55,000-$65,000 range, but moving up the salary schedule with master's credits and years of service can quickly push pay past $80,000. Those who transition into leadership roles, such as instructional coordinator or principal, routinely reach salaries above $120,000, with top earners exceeding $150,000 in large districts.

Advanced degrees also unlock careers for masters in education with higher salary ceilings. For instance, an M.Ed. in educational leadership qualifies you for administrative roles that command mean wages approaching $140,000 in the LA metro. The job outlook remains stable, with consistent demand for experienced educators and administrators across California's vast public school system.

California Teaching and Administrative Credentials: The La Verne Pathway

University of La Verne’s LaFetra College of Education offers California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)-approved programs and holds WASC institutional accreditation, ensuring your pathway to licensure meets state standards.

• Earn a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

  A regionally accredited undergraduate degree is the foundation for any California teaching credential.
• Enroll in a CTC-approved teacher preparation program

  La Verne’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) includes student teaching and leads to a Preliminary Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential.
• Pass required state exams

  You must pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) in your content area.
• Complete a Clear Credential program

  Within five years of earning your Preliminary Credential, you must complete a CTC-approved induction program to clear your credential.
• Advance to an Administrative Services Credential

  La Verne’s Educational & Teacher Leadership program awards a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential and requires prior teaching experience plus a master’s degree.

What Does a La Verne M.ed. Cost? Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Breakdown

Balancing the upfront cost of a master's degree against long-term career growth is a key decision for any educator. University of La Verne offers two core M.Ed. tracks, each with its own per-credit tuition rate, but both share a predictable fee structure and the same rate for online or on-campus study.

Tuition and Fees Breakdown

• Educational & Teacher Leadership track: $835 per credit hour.¹
• Teaching/MAT track: $835 per credit hour (when combined with a credential).¹
• Educational Leadership concentration: $775 per credit hour.¹

Both tracks are offered fully online, on campus, or in hybrid formats, and the per-credit rate does not change based on delivery method.² The total cost depends on the number of credits required, which typically ranges from 30 to 36 depending on the specific program and any credential coursework. For a 33-credit program at the $835 rate¹, tuition would be approximately $27,555 before fees.

Additional required fees include a $30 registration fee per course, a $160 one-time graduation fee, and a $10 wellness fee per semester.² A deferred payment plan is available for a $75 fee per term.²

Financial Aid and Funding Options

Most graduate students rely on federal aid or institutional support. La Verne participates in federal student loan programs, offering Direct Unsubsidized Loans and Graduate PLUS Loans to qualified applicants. Students pursuing a teaching credential may be eligible for the federal TEACH Grant, which provides up to $4,000 per year in exchange for teaching in a high-need field at a low-income school. The university also offers a limited number of graduate assistantships and scholarships; check directly with the financial aid office for current opportunities and application deadlines.

Return on Investment and Salary Growth

While precise program-level earnings data from La Verne M.Ed. graduates are not publicly detailed, broader workforce figures for education professionals in California show that a master's degree typically unlocks higher salary lanes and opens doors to administrative roles. Many school districts in the Los Angeles area add a master's supplement to base pay, often $2,000, $5,000 or more annually. Over a career, this incremental increase can far outweigh the initial cost. La Verne's tuition rates are competitive with other private universities in Southern California, such as Pepperdine M.Ed. programs and University of San Diego M.Ed. programs, and the flexibility of online or evening classes allows many students to continue working while they study, reducing the need for additional borrowing.

How to Apply to La Verne’s M.ed. Programs: Admissions Guide

The process is designed to be straightforward, with no GRE requirement¹ and a rolling admissions approach² that gives you flexibility. Here is what you need to know to submit a strong application.

Application Steps and Required Materials

The application is completed online through the university’s graduate admissions portal. You will need to gather the following:

• Transcripts: Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions you have attended, showing a bachelor’s degree. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is expected¹; if yours is lower, you may still be considered with additional evidence of readiness.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two to three letters from academic or professional references who can speak to your qualifications and potential as a graduate student and educator. Choose recommenders familiar with your work ethic and leadership.
• Personal Statement: A written essay outlining your career goals, reasons for pursuing an M.Ed. at La Verne, and how you plan to contribute to the field. This is your chance to connect your experiences to your aspirations.
• Résumé: A current professional résumé highlighting education, teaching or related work history, and any leadership roles.

There is no entrance exam requirement. The university is fully test-optional for these programs¹. Additionally, no interview is required¹, so the application materials carry the full weight of the admissions decision.

Admissions Deadlines and Rolling Review

La Verne uses a rolling admissions system, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and decisions are released on an ongoing basis. However, priority deadlines ensure you are considered for your desired start term:

• Fall start: submit by June 1
• Spring start: submit by December 1
• Summer start: submit by April 1²

Applications received after these dates will be evaluated for later terms. It is best to apply early, as many cohorts fill quickly.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Highlight leadership experience: Whether in the classroom, community, or previous roles, emphasize times you took initiative or led teams.
• Clarify your career goals: In your personal statement, be specific about how a La Verne M.Ed. fits into your career path, mention particular specializations or skills you want to develop.
• Choose recommenders wisely: Select individuals who can provide detailed, genuine accounts of your abilities and potential. Brief, generic letters do not stand out.
• Proofread everything: Small errors can distract from an otherwise compelling profile. Ask a colleague to review your materials before submitting.

Where La Verne M.ed. Grads Work: Career Paths and Salary Potential

Career Paths for La Verne Graduates

University of La Verne M.Ed. completers step into a range of leadership and specialized roles across Southern California schools. Common positions include department chairs, curriculum specialists, instructional coaches, and school principals. Many work in Los Angeles County’s large unified districts, charter networks, and private K-12 institutions. The program’s emphasis on practical leadership and inclusive teaching prepares graduates for these advanced responsibilities.

Earnings and Employment Outcomes

Employment rates remain strong for La Verne’s M.Ed. completers. Two years after graduation, 92% are working, and at the six-year mark the rate holds at 88%. Early median annual wages average near $41,700, then rise to $49,200 by year six. Federal earnings data for the broader pool of education graduates reports a median of $53,806, reflecting the upward trajectory for those with more experience and administrative credentials.

Support and Satisfaction

On-campus resources bolster career outcomes. Alumni rate the professional network with 88% satisfaction, and 92% of recent graduates found the career center helpful. While only 33% of surveyed M.Ed. alumni felt confident in their initial job search, the high employment rates suggest the network and preparation ultimately pay off. Two-thirds of graduates consider the degree a worthwhile investment, citing career advancement.

A Strong Regional Network

La Verne’s longstanding reputation in the Los Angeles metro area translates into a pipeline of opportunities. Hiring administrators know the quality of LaFetra College of Education graduates, and many alumni return to mentor current students. Although fewer formal testimonials are published, anecdotal evidence points to a collaborative community where graduates help one another into roles across more than 100 continuing education sector placements each year⁴. For educators aiming to lead in California’s largest school systems, the La Verne network remains a practical asset.

Frequently Asked Questions About La Verne’s M.ed.

Here are answers to common questions about the University of La Verne's Master of Education programs, covering specializations, costs, accreditation, and more.

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