Become a Transformative Educator with Santa Clara Online Teaching Programs

Education is one of the most rewarding careers to pursue, as it offers the opportunity to support and challenge the next generation. Teaching can be divided into two categories: transmissional and transformative. The former focuses on delivering information, while the latter prioritizes fostering a stronger connection between teacher and student to encourage students to discover their intrinsic motivation.¹

In recent decades, the education sector has come to recognize the importance of being a transformative educator.² This type of teacher not only shares information with students but inspires and motivates them to develop personally and professionally through open communication and critical thinking.

Designed for working professionals, Santa Clara Online’s teaching programs provide the tools to grow your career and become a transformative educator. This post highlights the benefits of Santa Clara Online's MATTC (Master of Arts in Teaching and Teaching Credential) and CatMAT (Catholic Master of Arts in Teaching) programs and obtaining your master’s and teaching credential online.

Innovative Teaching Programs: MATTC and CatMAT

Santa Clara Online’s MATTC and CatMAT programs, offered through the School of Education and Counseling Psychology (ECP), are designed for busy professionals or caretakers. Both programs include all necessary coursework to apply for a California state teaching credential and strategically position graduates at the forefront of education.

The MATTC Degree

The Online MATTC program equips students for careers in both public and private school environments. The Multiple Subject degree is suited for those pursuing teaching careers in elementary and middle schools.

The Single Subject degree is specifically designed for high school educators who specialize in a core subject. The available options for single-subject degrees include English, mathematics, biological sciences, chemistry, geosciences, physics, social science, and world languages.

The CatMAT Degree

The Online CatMAT program is specifically designed for current Catholic school teachers looking to advance their careers and expand their educational repertoire. Alternatively, aspiring teachers can join a specialized Excellence in Catholic Education and Leadership (ExCEL) program in the Bay Area that encourages living in a community with fellow students. The CatMAT coursework tailors pedagogical content to incorporate a uniquely Catholic perspective.

The Advantages of a Strong Online Master's Program

Both programs offer full-time and part-time options with various course start dates throughout the year to suit your schedule. Santa Clara Online's teaching programs offer the flexibility to balance coursework with personal and professional commitments. By pursuing a master's degree online, you can find a program that fits your schedule without sacrificing the benefits of a supportive academic community.

With a small average class size, students receive individualized attention and personalized feedback to help them grow. Additionally, a variety of financial aid and scholarship options are available to students to help cover their tuition expenses. This student-centered approach will benefit graduates as they embark on their own journeys as transformative educators.

Digital learning has become central to education, especially after a record high 93% of school-aged children participated in some form of distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.^3,4 Pursuing an online master’s program not only advances your teaching expertise but also equips you with firsthand experience in digital learning. As an online student, you engage directly with the same tools, platforms, and strategies that today’s K–12 and higher education classrooms are adopting. You will learn how to design engaging virtual lessons, facilitate discussions in digital spaces, and assess students effectively using online methods. By completing your own degree online, you’re better prepared to guide future students through these same experiences, making you a more adaptable educator.

Building Transformative Leadership Skills

Whether you’re changing careers or looking to advance in your current role, the MATTC and CatMAT programs are structured to build your confidence and skills as an educational leader. Santa Clara Online supports this growth through a rigorous and reflective curriculum built for leadership in the modern classroom.

The curriculum emphasizes inclusive, culturally responsive teaching practices, providing you with tools to develop a personal style focused on equity. You will learn how the core values of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) play a crucial role in transformative leadership.⁵ Transformative educators prioritize the needs, strengths, and potential of each student, creating welcoming environments where every learner feels seen and supported to be their most authentic selves. This can be accomplished in the classroom by adapting lessons to accommodate different learning styles and uplifting student voices.

As a student in one of the Santa Clara Online teaching programs, you will benefit from strong mentorship and professional networking opportunities to support your development as a transformative educator. Students collaborate with experienced faculty members to enhance interpersonal skills that can be used to help young learners manage their emotions, cultivate a secure sense of self, and work towards goals in a healthy manner. Your students will leave class feeling empowered to explore, question, and grow.

Career and Credentialing Advantages

Graduating from one of Santa Clara Online's innovative teaching programs not only means completing the coursework required to apply for a California state teaching credential, but also setting yourself up for a long-term, successful career in education.

With a degree from the online MATTC or CatMAT program, you will be certified to teach in K–12 schools in both the public and private sectors. One OMATTC graduate reflected, “My experience at Santa Clara University has been exceptional. ECP's holistic approach to education has taught me the skills and values necessary to thrive as a teacher. The passion and devotion of my professors, the dedication shown by my peers, and the support of the various staff members at ECP have taught me that we are stronger when we are together.”

Through Santa Clara’s online teaching programs, bilingual educators also have the opportunity to earn a Bilingual Authorization in Spanish, which offers an even deeper connection to California’s diverse student communities.

Thanks to ECP’s well-developed placement program, students gain valuable classroom experience and build professional connections at placement schools in their area. Graduates remain part of a thriving professional network that supports job placement and career advancement at schools throughout the state.

Step Into the Future of Educational Leadership

Santa Clara Online's MATTC and CatMAT programs will provide you with the framework to build a career on the cutting edge of modern education. These programs prepare you to become a transformative educator who teaches as a tool for promoting social justice, racial equity, and appreciation for diversity.

Santa Clara University’s online graduate programs will foster your ability to support students of all academic backgrounds and to engage with the communities you serve in a meaningful way. As an online student, you can enjoy the flexibility and convenience of earning your degree through a program that adheres to your busy schedule. Backed by the expertise of faculty with decades of experience in education, you’ll also benefit from the professional networking and personal mentorship that sets Santa Clara University apart. Discover more about student life and how Santa Clara’s supportive environment enriches your learning experience.

To learn more, view the admissions information today and start your journey toward an impactful and rewarding career in education. You can also explore Santa Clara University’s upcoming events to discover more opportunities for online learning.