The Central Coast Master’s for Educators Program
Launched by the Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative and powered by a partnership with CSU Channel Islands, CCME is designed to strengthen the region's educational pipeline by expanding access to dual enrollment courses. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn college credit. Data shows that earning this credit increases the likelihood that a student will attend college.
Teachers selected for the program receive approximately 75% of their tuition subsidized for a master's degree, allowing them to grow professionally while continuing to serve their students and communities. In 2026, we proudly welcomed our inaugural cohort, which will include 30 teachers from 15 high schools across the Central Coast.
The Central Coast Master's for Educators (CCME) program helps high school teachers across the Central Coast earn a master's degree in Math or English at little to no cost.
The Central Coast Masters for Educators (CCME) Program
California State University Channel Islands, founded in 2002 and the newest CSU campus, is a student-centered university on the Central Coast. Known for its supportive community and hands-on learning, CSUCI’s mission focuses on access, integrative teaching, and preparing graduates. The CSU Channel Islands degree programs will offer online classes for both degree programs. The timing of their course offerings includes two 8-week courses in Fall and Spring semesters and a longer 12-week Summer course. Students can finish within two years.
The Master of Arts in English at CSU Channel Islands prepares students for college-level English teaching through focused study in literature, writing, and rhetoric. Students deepen research, information, and digital literacy; practice genre-aware and multimodal composing; and develop culturally responsive, equity-minded policies and assessments. The program culminates in a teaching portfolio project.
The CSU Channel Islands Master of Science in Mathematics is an interdisciplinary program preparing students for careers in industry, education, and research. With two pathways — Mathematics Education and General Mathematics — the program integrates advanced study with applications in probability, cryptography, bioinformatics, analysis, and data science. Designed for professionals, it features small classes, faculty mentorship, and a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving for success in a technology-driven world.
Key Program Considerations:
The Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative will fund tuition for 15 students in each master’s program at the full per-unit rate.
Cost for teachers: $990/semester
The Central Coast K16 Regional Collaborative will pay the remainder of the tuition directly to CSU Channel Islands.
The Central Coast Masters for Educators (CCME) program used an equity-centered selection process to prioritize participation by Math and English teachers from districts actively engaged in the Central Coast K-16 Regional Collaborative. Eligibility requires a school district's acknowledgement of support for the creation or continuation of dual enrollment Math or English courses.