Living & Expenses 2011
Salary
Salary
$37,000–$42,500 for K–12 range; $33,000 for early childhood education
$37,000–$42,500 for K–12 range; $33,000 for early childhood education
Cost of Living
Housing Costs (single)
$900–$1,600
$900–$1,600
Housing Costs (shared)
$600–$1,200
$600–$1,200
Health Insurance
$60–$120
$60–$120
Utilities
$120
$120
Daycare
$800 / month
$800 / month
Monthly Transit Pass
$75
$75
Car Required
Yes
Yes
Car Insurance
$150 / month
$150 / month
Start-Up
Costs
Testing Costs
$320–$500
$320–$500
Up Front Certification Costs
How Do You Pay Start-Up Costs
Out of Pocket
Out of Pocket
Ongoing Costs Through the Two-Year Commitment
Ongoing Certification Costs
$4,500–$6,900
$4,500–$6,900
Use Americorps award for testing/certification
Yes
Yes
How is teaching certification structured in this state/region?
Two year – through university
Two year – through university
Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of the two years?
Yes
Yes
Is a master's degree required?
Only for special education
Only for special education
Partner Universities
Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
Teacher Certification Information
Depending on the subject and placement, nearly all of the Los Angeles corps members will first obtain a university intern credential by enrolling in a credentialing program at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) along with the option to achieve a master’s degree. In order to qualify for an intern credential, all corps members must:
- Pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET)
- Pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
- Pass a U.S. Constitution Exam
After a year of teaching with an intern credential and completing coursework, corps members will receive their preliminary credential through the state of California. At the end of two years, corps members who opted for graduate education will receive a master’s degree in Urban Education, Special Education or Early Childhood Education from LMU.
Notes and Clarifications
- Beginning teacher salary: If you have a master's degree in education, are placed in a bilingual classroom, or in a math/science classroom you may receive additional compensation.
- Avg. health insurance: In some placement districts, health insurance premiums are pre-tax deductions.
- Total tax rate: Federal + state + city. Only applies to starting salaries.
- Up-front certification: Expenses that must be paid before your first day of teaching.
- Paying start-up costs: Can you pay for testing and up-front certification costs with transitional grants and loans or do you have to pay out-of-pocket?
- Ongoing certification: Total certification costs over two-year teaching commitment.
- AmeriCorps award for certification: Can you use your AmeriCorps award to pay testing/certification costs?
- Master's in two years: Is it possible to complete a master's degree at the end of two years?
- Master's required: Is the completion of a master's degree required as part of the two-year commitment?
- Extra master's degree costs: Additional total cost to obtain a master's degree (on top of ongoing certification costs); does not include AmeriCorps award.
- Partner university(ies): These universities partner with Teach For America for ongoing certification requirements, and in some cases, the fulfillment of a master's degree in education.
Teach For America was named one of Fortune magazine's top 100 employers to work for.
Teach For America was named one of America's top 100 Ideal Employers in Universum's 2011 American Student Survey.