Master’s Degrees with Credentials (Santa Barbara)

 Admissions

Application Requirements

• Official transcript from a regionally-accredited college or university indicating Bachelor’s degree conferral
• Two letters of recommendation
• Resume
• CBEST test scores, or proof of registration for the CSET Writing Skills exam (for credential programs only)
• CSET: Multiple Subjects exam, proof of registration or scores (for credential programs only)
• Admission essay

Admission Essay

In 4-6 pages, please respond to the following questions. Question #10 is only required if your undergraduate GPA is below 2.8. Please use the following format guidelines: 12-point type, double-spaced, 1″ margins, top right header on every page (in all capital letters): first and last name, Teaching Credential, page number.

1. What factors led you to undertake this education program at this time and how will the degree impact your professional goals?
2. Describe your leadership skills and how they are used in the classroom, school, community, and/or other life situations.
3. What reforms do you see needed in education today, and what visions do you have for achieving necessary changes?
4. Describe a difficult situation you have had related to education or schools. Evaluate your handling of the situation, revealing any personal characteristics that enabled you to be an effective part of a solution.
5. Describe any community action or organizing that you have been involved in, and how it impacts your perceptions of yourself as an educator.
6. What experiences have you had that prepare you to work as an educator with people who differ from yourself?
7. Please comment on your experience or interests in working toward or organizing for social change.
8. Please describe in some detail your experiences in working and/or being with children. What were your roles, responsibilities? Who were the children? For applicants to the mild/moderate disabilities credential, please specifically highlight experiences with children with disabilities.
9. What is your motivation to become a teacher/special education teacher?
10. If your Bachelor’s degree cumulative GPA is below a 2.8: Discuss the factors that contributed to your current GPA and how, specifically, you will mitigate those factors to be successful in graduate-level coursework at AUSB.

Cost

Please note: Additional fees for all AUSB programs may include (but are not necessarily limited to) charges for materials, late registration, enrollment maintenance, parking, graduation, transcripts, tuition payment plan, late payments, late registration, and returned checks.

Financial Aid

A majority of AUSB students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public, and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants – are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AUSB.

Learn more about financial aid