Attending graduate school is challenging for many working professionals. However, online education can enhance your career trajectory and professional opportunities by improving your skills, qualifications, and industry contacts, without sacrificing your other responsibilities.
Santa Clara Online education programs can put you on the path toward a fulfilling career. More specifically, the Online Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential (MATTC) and Online Catholic Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential (CatMAT) programs prepare you to become an elementary, secondary, or Catholic school teacher in California.
This post explores the MATTC and CatMAT programs and how they can promote your professional growth as an educator.
Flexible Online Degrees for Working Professionals
As a working adult, one of the biggest obstacles to earning a degree is finding time to complete the required coursework without neglecting your professional and personal responsibilities. Online graduate programs offer the opportunity to advance your career through education while meeting your other obligations, such as work and childcare.
Traditional, on-site courses often require students to adhere to strict schedules and spend a significant amount of time on campus. Santa Clara Online’s graduate programs offer customized study schedules tailored to professional needs, so you can simultaneously navigate your career and education.
Online degree programs are flexible in both location and time. You can focus on your classwork when and where it works best for you, whether that means completing assignments during your lunch break or studying for a test after midnight.
In addition to providing flexibility, Santa Clara Online programs also support working professionals by aligning with their unique career goals. The MATTC program helps you earn a teaching credential for elementary or secondary education at a public school, while the CatMAT program prepares you to teach in a private, Catholic education environment.
Career-Focused Curriculum
As an educator, your graduate program classes will guide your perception of and approach to teaching long after you graduate. Therefore, selecting a program with relevant, high-quality coursework is essential.
Practical Skills Development
The curricula of the MATTC and CatMAT programs at Santa Clara Online focus on research-tested teaching methods and current pedagogical theories. The courses include project-based learning, which allows students to explore real-world challenges and solutions in education. Currently employed teachers can apply what they've learned in a classroom environment by participating in an internship program.
While earning your degree, you'll study a range of subjects related to your specific teaching focus, including:
- Classroom management
- Equity and inclusive learning practices
- Adolescent literacy
- Ethics
- Assessing student learning
- Technology for education
- Learning and development
You will also have the option to extend your education beyond these foundational courses. For example, if you're preparing for a career in secondary education, you can complete single-subject credentials in areas such as English, mathematics, biological sciences, and chemistry.
In addition, you may also choose to pursue a bilingual authorization in Spanish, which prepares you to teach in bilingual and dual-immersion classrooms. According to the California Department of Education, nearly 40% of students in the state's public schools speak a language other than English at home, and the vast majority of them speak Spanish.1 A bilingual authorization stands out on your resume when applying for jobs and empowers you to better support your students.
Experienced Faculty
The instructors in a graduate program are just as important as the material you study. The faculty in the MATTC and CatMAT programs includes former elementary and secondary teachers and school principals. With years of experience in the classroom, they can give you a deeper understanding of the reality of modern education.
You'll also benefit from small class sizes in the Santa Clara Online teacher education programs. The low student-to-teacher ratio allows instructors to provide tailored instruction and individualized feedback. This personalized support is vital to addressing your needs and building on your strengths.
Professional Networking Opportunities
While your instructors will play a prominent role in your academic experience, they're not the only connections you'll make. Relationships with alumni, industry experts, and classmates are also important during your program.
Engagement With Classmates
Although you won't sit next to other students in your classes, you will get to know your classmates in other ways. As you participate in virtual lectures, discussion boards, chats, and group projects, you'll engage with peers of different backgrounds across various professional fields. This exposure to differing perspectives and experiences can broaden your outlook and prepare you to work with diverse student populations.
Alumni Connections
Alumni are a valuable resource because they have ties with both the school you're attending and potential future employers. Santa Clara University’s Bronco Alumni Network, for example, is strong throughout the Bay Area and the state of California. This network provides numerous ways for alumni to stay connected. Education professionals who are using their degrees in teaching careers can provide insights into what you can expect after you graduate. They can also describe the schools where they work and help you evaluate whether a particular work environment would be a good fit for you. As you near graduation, you can turn to alumni to learn about open positions in the institutions where they teach.
Virtual Networking Events
During the program, you'll have the chance to participate in online events featuring respected members of the industry, including educators, researchers, and school administrators. These virtual networking events expose you to new ideas, technologies, and theories. They also allow you to explore different aspects of the education field, so you can make more informed decisions about your career journey.
Become a Better Teacher With Online Education
Santa Clara Online degrees in education can help students accelerate their career advancement and achieve their professional goals. In addition to preparing you for a new job or promotion, the MATTC and CatMAT programs can enhance your approach to teaching. You can leverage the knowledge and skills you gain to create a more positive classroom environment for yourself and your students.
Contact us to learn more about admissions, program requirements, school resources, and how the MATTC and CatMAT programs at Santa Clara Online can jumpstart your teaching career.
- Retrieved on May 9, 2025, from cde.ca.gov/ds/ad/cefelfacts.asp