What to Expect from the BATTI Partnership
What Is the UOP Teaching Credential Program at BATTI?
The BATTI–University of the Pacific teaching credential program is a CTC-approved, two-year pathway that combines a California multiple-subject preliminary credential with a Master of Arts in Education degree — all delivered through evening and weekend classes in Oakland for working professionals. It is part of BATTI's full credential and master's program overview, designed so you can keep working full-time while earning your teaching credential and graduate degree.
If you have been researching the University of the Pacific teaching credential and wondering how a Bay Area–based program connects to a Stockton university, you are not alone. This partnership is intentionally structured so you get the best of both institutions: an accredited .edu degree from Pacific and a hands-on, community-rooted learning experience from BATTI right here in Oakland.
BATTI graduates earn both a preliminary California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Master of Arts in Education through a single integrated program — no need to apply to two separate institutions.
This post walks you through exactly how the partnership works, what you will earn, what each semester looks like, and why the evening-and-weekend format in the Bay Area matters for working professionals.
The UOP Teaching Credential Program at BATTI: How the Partnership Works
The BATTI–University of the Pacific partnership brings together two organizations with complementary strengths. Understanding who does what helps you see why this model works.
What University of the Pacific Provides
University of the Pacific's School of Education is a regionally accredited institution with CTC approval to recommend candidates for California teaching credentials. Through this partnership, Pacific provides:
- Accredited degree conferral. Your Master of Arts in Education degree is awarded by University of the Pacific. Your transcript carries a .edu institution recognized by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
- CTC credential recommendation. The program supports candidates in earning a preliminary California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through BATTI's partnership with University of the Pacific. Pacific's accreditation status is what makes this credential pathway possible.
- Academic oversight. University of the Pacific faculty collaborate on curriculum standards and program review to ensure the coursework meets both graduate-level rigor and CTC requirements.
What BATTI Provides
BATTI — the Bay Area Teacher Training Institute — handles the day-to-day learning experience. Based in Oakland, BATTI is where you will spend your time, build your teaching practice, and grow as an educator.
- Bay Area classroom instruction. All coursework happens locally in Oakland through evening and weekend classes. You never need to travel to Stockton.
- Paid teaching residency placements. BATTI places you in a full-time teaching position at one of its Bay Area partner schools, where you earn a salary while completing your credential. This is not student teaching — it is a real, paid role.
- Small cohort community. Cohorts are intentionally small so you learn alongside peers who become professional colleagues. BATTI's instructors and advisors know each candidate by name.
- Culturally sustaining pedagogy. BATTI's curriculum is rooted in equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practice — preparing you to serve the diverse communities of the Bay Area.
The result is a BATTI credential program that feels local and personal, backed by the institutional credibility of a university with over a century of history.
What You'll Earn: California Credential + Master of Arts in Education
Graduates of the UOP teaching credential program at BATTI walk away with two credentials at once.
Preliminary California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential
This credential qualifies you to teach all subjects in a self-contained classroom, typically at the elementary level, in any California public or independent school. "Multiple subject" means you are prepared to teach reading, math, science, social studies, and more — the full scope of an elementary classroom.
The credential is preliminary, meaning you will need to complete a Teacher Induction program within your first two years of teaching to clear it. BATTI also offers a one-year Teacher Induction program in partnership with the Center for Teacher Innovation and the Riverside County Office of Education. Induction is the second step after obtaining a preliminary credential, and it is open to all credential holders — you do not need to have completed your preliminary credential with BATTI to enroll.
Master of Arts in Education
Your graduate degree is conferred by University of the Pacific's School of Education. This is a full master's degree, not a certificate or endorsement. It appears on a University of the Pacific transcript and carries the weight of an accredited graduate program.
Having both credentials matters for your career. A master's degree typically places you on a higher salary schedule in California public schools, and a CTC-approved preliminary credential means you are eligible for teaching positions statewide from day one after graduation.
Program Timeline: What Each Semester Looks Like
The MAT program in the Bay Area runs over two years — four semesters — with a structure designed around full-time working professionals. Here is what to expect.
Year One: Foundations and Classroom Entry
Semester 1 focuses on foundational coursework in pedagogy, classroom management, and culturally sustaining teaching practices. You begin evening and weekend classes in Oakland while preparing for your residency placement.
Semester 2 introduces your paid teaching residency. You step into a full-time classroom role at a BATTI partner school — organizations like Synapse School in Menlo Park, Black Pine Circle School, and other Bay Area institutions. Coursework continues in the evenings.
Year Two: Advanced Practice and Degree Completion
Semester 3 deepens your classroom practice with advanced methods courses, assessment design, and curriculum development. You continue in your residency role, applying new learning immediately.
Semester 4 is your culminating semester. You complete your master's capstone project, finish remaining credential requirements, and prepare for your career launch. BATTI's job board and partner school network provide active job placement support — see program outcomes and graduate stats to learn how BATTI graduates transition into teaching roles.
The entire program is completed in two years — credential plus master's degree — while you work full-time and earn a salary through your residency placement.
How BATTI's Bay Area Location and Evening Schedule Make the Difference
Many California teaching credential programs require you to stop working, attend daytime classes, and complete unpaid student teaching. The BATTI model is built differently.
Designed for Working Professionals
Classes meet in the evenings and on weekends in Oakland. This schedule exists because BATTI's candidates are adults with responsibilities — careers, families, rent. You do not need to quit your job or move to a university campus.
The paid residency model reinforces this. Unlike programs that require 10–16 weeks of unpaid student teaching, BATTI places you in a salaried teaching position. You earn while you learn.
Rooted in the Bay Area Community
BATTI's location in Oakland, California, is not incidental. The program is designed to prepare teachers specifically for Bay Area classrooms — classrooms that are among the most linguistically and culturally diverse in the state.
Partner schools span the region, from the East Bay to the Peninsula. Graduates who want to stay and teach in Northern California have a built-in professional network from day one.
Small Cohorts, Real Relationships
Large university programs may enroll 50 or more candidates per cohort. BATTI keeps cohorts small intentionally. You will know your classmates. Your instructors will know your teaching style, your challenges, and your growth. This is a collaborative community, not a lecture hall.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BATTI–Pacific Partnership
Is the UOP teaching credential program fully accredited?
Yes. University of the Pacific is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, and its School of Education holds CTC approval. The program supports candidates in earning a preliminary California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential through BATTI's partnership with University of the Pacific.
Do I need to travel to Stockton for any part of the program?
No. All coursework, residency placements, and advising happen in the Bay Area. BATTI delivers the program locally in Oakland through evening and weekend classes. Your degree is conferred by University of the Pacific, but you complete the program entirely in Northern California.
Can I work full-time while completing the program?
Yes — the program is designed for working professionals. Evening and weekend class schedules plus a paid teaching residency mean you earn a salary throughout the two-year program. Many candidates transition from other careers into education without a gap in income.
What is the difference between BATTI and University of the Pacific in this program?
BATTI provides the local instruction, residency placements, small-cohort learning community, and Bay Area classroom experience. University of the Pacific provides the accredited graduate degree, CTC credential recommendation, and academic oversight. Together, you get a hands-on local program with university-level credentialing.
What happens after I earn my preliminary credential?
You will need to complete a Teacher Induction program within your first two years of teaching to clear your credential. BATTI offers a one-year Teacher Induction program that is open to all credential holders — you do not need to have earned your preliminary credential through BATTI to enroll in induction.
Ready to take the next step? See if the BATTI–University of the Pacific credential and master's program is right for you — request an information packet or schedule a one-on-one conversation with our admissions team.