Supplementary Authorization in Computer Science Education | UC San Diego Online
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Supplementary Authorization in Computer Science Education

Learn to teach Computer Science in K-12

About This Program

Want to prepare to teach Computer Science in K-12? Teach in California and want to earn a California Supplementary Authorization (Single Subject or Introductory)? This four course program is for you! Our courses are specifically designed for teachers and integrate technical content with pedagogy and equity activities. You'll learn from materials you can use with your students and gain insights from an expert in computing education. Learn best practices for teaching computing and do activities that directly prepare you for the classroom. Our courses are designed for the needs of computer science teachers, not software engineers.

Course Overview

Want to know how UC, San Diego can support your CA CS Supplementary Grant Authorization application (due May 20, 2022)? Fill in this quick form and we’ll get in touch!

In this program, you will earn 16 graduate-level quarter credits.

Looking for the training but don’t need the credit? See our Computer Science for K-12 Educators program!

Frequently Asked Questions

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You have until the session end date to complete each course - the session end date is August 31st, the year after the course started. In general, select the session that has already started, unless you know you won't complete by August of next year, then select an upcoming session.
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No, you can take whatever meets your needs now; you can learn from any class in any order. But our recommended ordering is (1) Teaching Impacts of Technology (2) Computational Thinking and Block-Based Programming (3) Learn to Teach Java, and (4) Teaching Methods in Computer Science last.
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The CTC does not "authorize" any supplementary authorization programs. However, this program was designed to meet the unit and content requirements for both the Introductory and Subject-Specific CS authorizations. When you complete, you will be provided with a packet of the necessary items to support your supplementary authorization application. An overview of how each course aligns to the CTC Computer Science Supplementary Authorizations is here.
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Yes! Please follow the instructions here to start the process.
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No, you can choose to do so (easier if you are paying by purchase order), but you can also just pay for each course one-at-a-time, at $850 per course.
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No. Teachers with no prior computer science background enjoy and succeed in our program.
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Yes, as these courses were designed specifically with teachers in mind, they differ quite a bit from courses for computing majors. Check out details about each course here.

  • Average Length
    10 weeks per course
  • Effort
    2-20 hours per week, per course
  • Number of Courses
    4 courses in program
  • Price (USD)
    $3400 for entire program

Courses in the Statement of Accomplishment

Learn to teach K-12 students about the impacts of computing on our world! Explore the technology and computer science behind things we use every day.

Starts on September 2, 2023

Learn to teach K-12 students core programming concepts through block-based languages. No prior programming experience required!

Starts on September 2, 2023

This course is designed for those who want to support secondary students' learning of Java -- with a focus on Advanced Placement Computer Science A. Using the freely available online, interactive textbook, learn Java with the same resource you can use to teach it.

Starts on September 2, 2023

Learn what students most struggle with for specific programming concepts, how to support student debugging, and get advice from practicing teachers on classroom practicalities and activities.

Starts on September 2, 2023

Instructors

Beth Simon
Teaching Professor
University of California, San Diego
Beth Simon
Teaching Professor, University of California, San Diego
Dr. Simon has 20+ years experience teaching and improving student outcomes through best practices in introductory programming. She has been involved in K-12 efforts in CS for over 10 years serving as an inaugural piloter of the APCS Principles course, leading the development of California's CS Standards, and offering courses for in-service and pre-service teachers seeking to teach computing in K-12.