What is the CBEST?
The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is designed to test basic reading, mathematics, and writing skills found to be important for the job of an educator; the test is not designed to measure the ability to teach those skills.

What is the CSET?
The California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) is series of subject matter examinations for prospective teachers who choose to meet the subject matter competence requirement for certification by taking examinations.

Are the CBEST / CSET required for admission?
Your application will not be considered complete until you have taken the CBEST.  The CSET is required before you advance to student teaching in the fall.

Do you offer assistance with the CSET?
The school offers gratis preparation workshops, please refer to out Upcoming Program Events page for details.

Can I submit my application on-line?
You may apply on-line here.  You may also wish to refer to our application process and application check list.

What are the GRE / GPA requirements?
A typical candidate for the program should have a GRE score of 1000 or better and an undergrad GPA of 3.0 or above. An applicant’s acceptance is based on many additional factors.

What are the student demographics?
The most recent cohort has approximately 90 members.  Our current participants have hailed from California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Korea and Taiwan.  Participants range in age from 22 to 65 years young, with an average of 26.

What is the student teaching schedule?
Participants begin teaching in the field in August and continue through May.  A typical schedule consists of four days in the classroom from 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM, with one of day of concurrent methods classes.

When are the program deadlines/begin/end dates?
Early application deadline is December 15
Final application deadline is February 15
The classes begin early June and continue through late June of the following year.
Please check the UGTE Calendar for more important dates.

Tuition / Financial Aid /Scholarships
Based on the 2007-2008 academic year, cost per unit is $1,185.00. 

Multiple subject 39 units (42 BCLAD)	$46,215* ($49,770*)
Single subject 32 units (35 BCLAD)	$37,920* ($41,475*)
Music single subject 37 units (40 BCLAD)	$43,845* ($47,400*)

* does not include books, supplies, room, board, or other fees.

More information on financial aid can be found on USC’s Financial Aid Site.   In addition to several financing options offered by USC, the Rossier School of Education provides a number of merit-based scholarships.

Can I work while I attend?
The program is intensive and maintaining a full-time job in conjunction with a full course load is difficult and not recommended. You may choose to work part-time, during evenings and weekends.

Do you offer job and career placement?
We have an excellent track record with our graduates finding jobs with greater than 95% of finding teaching jobs.  In addition, the Rossier School of Education has a Career Center to assist graduates in their job searches. 

How do I become involved?
One of the best ways to be involved in education-related campus activities is through USC’s Joint Education Project (JEP).  JEP offers students at USC the opportunity to combine academic coursework with experiences in the community surrounding campus.  For more information please contact JEP directly.

Who can I contact if I have further questions?
For any questions you may have that are not covered on this site, please contact Kristan Venegas, Ph.D., Director of Master’s Programs at kristanv@usc.edu or (213) 740-0507.