Academics
Take the next step in your educational journey by earning your degree from the Education Department at UC Santa Cruz.
Why study education at UC Santa Cruz?
Faculty in the Education Department at UC Santa Cruz are national leaders in educational research. Our research findings inform our classroom practices, ensuring dynamic learning opportunities for students across our programs. We offer students a comprehensive understanding of the educational landscape, with a focus on equity, social justice, and innovative teaching practices.
All of our programs offer opportunities for hands-on learning and community engagement, preparing students with the knowledge and skills to become effective educators, researchers, or advocates in diverse educational settings. We engage students deeply in educational theory, research, and practice for a multilingual, multicultural society. Our approach embraces sociocultural perspectives on schools, society, and research in order to emphasize the centrality of language, community, and social contexts in teaching, learning, and education.
Our undergraduate programs offer a strong foundation for future careers in teaching and related professions, such as community development, policy, counseling, and other social services. Our combined Master of Arts degree and California teaching credential program prepares classroom teachers through a cohort-model, with support and mentoring from faculty and experienced K-12 teacher mentors. Our Ph.D. program combines coursework, research apprenticeships, and mentoring to prepare a new generation of scholars committed to educational equity and cutting-edge theory.
Discover our degree options and student resources:
Student experiences
Andy Rae: A mission to promote restorative justice in higher education
Undergraduate Andy Rae won the Gabriel Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship, which supports students who are passionate about social issues and committed to public service. Rae’s career goal is to work in student services, particularly in the field of student conduct in higher education, to promote restorative justice practices in campus responses to conduct issues.
Jasmin Bedolla: nurturing a lifelong passion for teaching
Bedolla, a summer 2024 graduate of the M.A./credential program, won the Kathryn Cheney Merriam scholarship to help her complete her degree. Bedolla said she has always been fueled by a commitment to making a difference in young lives, and joining UCSC’s MA/C program was an important step toward fulfilling her calling in the education sector.
Brittany Caldwell: Growing a career and a family
Brittany Caldwell earned her Ph.D. in education while raising three young children. She studied early-grade math instruction and then went on to a postdoctoral position at Vanderbilt University exploring playful mathematics. She now conducts research and evaluation to assess program effectiveness for the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Child Services.