LMU-TFA Partnership Resources

The initial review of your application begins as we receive it! You are welcome to submit at any time and the earlier you do, the sooner we'll get started on your review. We strive to process application decisions as soon we've received your full personal statement, initial set of official transcripts from your bachelor's degree granting institution, and, if applicable, your request for exception to GPA requirement. Also required are your LMU-TFA Candidate Agreement and Request for Intern Credential Form.

After application submission, you can (and should) log back in regularly to upload CTC requirements as you complete them and/or view the portal checklist which shows progress towards completed the various requirements.  Try to avoid uploading incomplete documents. You know if you're truly completed a requirement so rely on your knowledge.

  • Apply Online: graduate.lmu.edu/apply

    • Use your regular personal email address, such as gmail.
    • Full Legal First Name, Full Legal Last Name, and Birthdate.
    • You'll return regularly to your application to upload items - save the login/password info.

    Academic Level:   Graduate ~ School of Education

    Primary Area of Interest:   Teacher Preparation Programs

    Program of Interest, select subject area as appropriate:

    • Elementary Teaching – Transformative Education (MA)
    • Secondary Teaching -- Transformative Education (MA)
    • Mild/Moderate Teaching – Special Education (MA) -- includes Transformative Ed

    Credential, select as appropriate:

    • Elementary Multiple Subject Credential
    • Secondary Single Subject Credential
    • Education Specialist: Mild to Moderate Support Needs Credential
    • Education Specialist: Mild to Moderate Support Needs with Multiple Subject Credential

    Field Experience Pathway:  Intern

    Credential-Only Option?

    • Our teacher preparation programs intentionally provide a combined credential and Master of Arts degree, to make the most out of your educational journey with LMU.  It is your choice though if you prefer to only pursue a credential.  You'll still have four more years to complete the M.A. should you wish.  Here are some considerations in weighing your options.  

    Special Partnerships, select as appropriate:

    • Teach For America - Bay Area
    • Teach for America - Los Angeles

    Anticipated Entry Term:  Summer II 2025

      Academic History:

      • List community colleges where you may have completed a U.S. Constitution requirement course or coursework that could be used in a subject matter review, especially if you did not major in the subject you plan to teach.
      • Include your bachelor’s degree institution. If you haven’t yet received your bachelor’s, have one set of official transcripts sent in order to be processed for admission.  You’ll need to request another set be sent after your bachelor’s degree is conferred. This is called a "Final Official Transcript." 
      • College/Universities send transcripts electronically to:  graduateadmission@lmu.edu 

       

    • The following two questions are provided here for your convenience.  They are also included within the application. 

      1. What draws you personally to the goals of the School of Education DEIAJ framework?
      2. As a professional, what actions do you plan to take in the PK-12 classroom and in community spaces that will contribute to success for all students (or for special ed credential, that will contribute to success for students with disabilities)?

      IMPORTANT: Faculty reviewers do require a definite minimum of 2 full pages (to the very bottom of the page), double spaced, 12-point font, 1’’ margins.

    • Transcripts from all regionally accredited colleges/universities that you've previously attended need to be  sent from the issuing college/university to directly Loyola Marymount University - Graduate Admission Division.   Most academic institutions send transcripts electronically with immediate 1-2 day delivery - select/confirm this email address for your transcript delivery:

      • LMU Graduate Admission Office - graduateadmission@lmu.edu

      Don't forget to include in your application any and all community college(s) in the list of institutions that you attended.  We find that there are courses from community colleges that meet CTC requirements for the U.S. Constitution requirement, and/or for a coursework review of subject matter.   

      Here are some other helpful links:

       

    • The School of Education requires a bachelor’s degree (from a regionally accredited college/university) for graduate level coursework with one of the following GPA requirements:

        • 3.0 GPA for Bachelor's Degree, or,
        • 3.05 in last 60 semester (90 quarter) units of undergraduate coursework, or,
        • 3.0 GPA in at least 9 semester units of credential level or graduate degree level coursework.

      If your GPA is lower than the admission requirement, we invite you to submit a Request for Exception to the GPA Requirement Form and Statement to help us get a more holistic view of your educational journey. 

      Please upload the GPA Exceptions Request form and statement, to the same section in your application with your Personal Statement .

    • There are a variety of options to meet  Subject Matter for a California teaching credential, including:

      Direct major in the subject (as identified by CTC). 

        • CTC Subject Matter Exact Majors and CSET Exams List
        • LMU Admission team will notify you via email within 2 weeks of your application submission AND receipt of (official or unofficial) transcripts, if your degree major is approved by CTC as an exact match.

      CSET applicable subtest examinations in the subject.  CSET subtest exam links are included in:

      Subject Matter Coursework Review, popular for those with a very similar major or a minor in the teaching area/subject.   

        • LMU SOE Subject Matter Coursework Review Request Form
        • Coursework reviews begin once ALL the following are received/completed:
          • LMU subject matter review request form has been uploaded in the application, AND,
          • You've submitted your LMU application, AND,
          • LMU has received a copy (official or unofficial) of all prior coursework.

       

    • The Certificate of Clearance (COC) section of the CTC website provides the full details for fingerprinting and submission of ‘LiveScan’ fingerprinting using the LiveScan 41-LSForm. To assist, we've also provided detailed instructions.  A few tips:

      The Certificate of Clearance is something you need to receive for your summer start. The sooner you complete this, the better as occasionally these are held up by CTC for months.

      • We are unable to accept any other documentation to meet this It needs to be the actual Certificate of Clearance from CTC using the 41-LS Form.
      • Interns who already hold a Certificate or Substitute Permit do need it to be valid for two full years from start of the LMU program. Renew now if it will expire within the next two years.
      • If you may already have a COC from CTC, you can verify by going to ctc.ca.gov and select ‘search for an educator’ on yourself. 
      • Upload a screen shot of CTC website showing your name, COC issuance permit number, and date of issuance to the LMU application system as soon as you have it available. COC’s must be valid for the full length of the program. Renew existing COC if applicable.

      If you are currently out of state, start the online process anyway. If you can get a LiveScan out of state, please do so.  If not, do everything but the LiveScan of your fingerprints portion and complete that as soon as you arrive in California.  This process can take several months and will hold up your intern credential which will affect your employment as an intern.

    • There are a few options available to fill the U.S. Constitution requirement for teaching credentials in California.

      1. Graduated or will graduate from a California State University (CSU) with a bachelor’s degree. No further action required.  We can clearly see you've met this requirement, or will meet it when your expected Bachelor's degree from a California State system university posts (no later than July 31).         
      2. Completion of a college course that covered the provisions and principles of the US Constitution taken at a regionally accredited college or university.  Generally a Poli Sci or Govt course such as  "Intro to American/U.S. Government" meets this requirement.  Course review/verification is completed by LMU. For History courses, please be prepared to provide a detailed coursework description from your college catalog and/or a full course syllabus.  
      3. Pass a CTC approved examination on the provisions and principles of the US Constitution offered by a regionally accredited college or university.  Here’s a link to a popular CTC-approved online quick anytime exam.  This short exam is offered 24/7, provides a study guide and immediate notification of exam results upon completion. There is a personal out-of-pocket cost associated with this exam. Please upload your exam results to your application portal as soon as you receive them.
    • LMU Student Health Post-Admission Entrance Requirements

      • Submit TB Screening/Test Results
      • Submit MMR Immunization Results (or blood test that shows immunity)

      Upload at Student PortalDeadline to Submit:  August 1, 2025

       

    • There are a couple of different types of deadlines:

      1.  Deadline to Submit your LMU Application:

        • 1DL:  January 5, 2025
        • 2DL:  January 5, 2025
        • 3DL:  March 5, 2025

      2. Deadline to Complete CTC Requirements (Subject Matter, U.S. Constitution, COC) and upload to LMU Application Portal.

        • All -- June 1, 2025

      3. Deadline to Complete Summer TFA PreService and LMU Summer Course

        • All -- TBD (July 2025)

      4. Deadline to upload TB Results and MMR Immunization to LMU Student Portal

        • All -- August 1, 2025

       

    • The Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) application is required of all students who wish to receive the LMU tuition contribution scholarship.  

      In addition to generous scholarships provided by LMU, candidates also owe have the ability to apply their AmeriCorps Award to LMU to reduce their cost each year. TFA candidates who are not eligible for the AmeriCorps Award will owe the amount out-of-pocket.   

      Candidates who withdraw or exit the LMU program forfeit their scholarship and will owe the tuition and fees out-of-pocket as outlined in the LMU-TFA Candidate Agreement.  Scholarships are removed for candidates who exit their commitment to the program early.

      You may wish to additionally search for other aid you might be eligible, including post graduation loan forgiveness,  at the LMU Graduate Student Financial Aid site. Student loans (private, state, and federal), are also available and may cover personal Cost of Living amounts beyond tuition.

    • We've compiled a list of some of the most commonly requested campus resource links. 

      From Disability Support Services, to the academic calendar (holiday anyone?) to library resources, to athletic fun, to physical and mental health services, we have a full campus full of resources just waiting to be utilized.  

      Here's the full guide to the:

    ASK US QUESTIONS! – We're here to help and support! 

    Email:  soeteacherprep@lmu.edu

    Appt:  Book a virtual appointment

    Apply:  LMU Graduate Admissions Application

    • Erin Boyle, Partnership Application Graduate Admission Counselor
    • Natasha D’Costa, Assistant Director, Preparation Partnerships
    • Mary Fraser, Director of Admission/Recruitment, School of Education
    • Cheryl Hugo, Graduate Admission Counselor
    • Anthony Mangar, Assistant Director, Recruitment