STEM+C Teacher Institute

The SJSU Lurie College of Education has created summer opportunities for current credential candidates, SJSU alumni, future SJSU credential candidates, and teachers in partner districts to develop their knowledge, skills, and abilities to teach computer science in an effort to pursue educational equity and social justice by reducing STEM barriers in education.


Computer Science Authorization Program

The CS Supplementary Authorization program at SJSU focuses on providing you with the computer science content and pedagogical knowledge that will support you to teach your students to engage fully and democratically in a technology rich society. With parallel strands in equity/justice, technological skills, and pedagogy, this supplementary authorization will help you:

  • Explore big issues of equity and social impacts of CS
  • Learn core CS practices, theories, tools, and skills
  • Gain programming experience
  • Learn how to critique, revise (existing) and design lessons and CS curricula

The Introductory Computer Science Supplementary Authorization (10 units)

  • Can be added to a Multiple Subject Teaching credential and authorizes the holder to teach departmentalized classes related to the supplementary in grades 9 and below.
  • Can be added to a Single Subject teaching credential and authorizes the holder to teach the supplementary subject matter content typically included in curriculum guidelines and textbooks for study in grades 9 and below. 

Coursework: Courses are offered sequentially and they build on each other. They are offered in a hybrid format with online lectures and on-campus hands-on activities. The course sequence starts every summer and participation is considered a year-long commitment.

Format: hybrid (online and on-campus) and cohort-based.

2024-2025 Course Schedule:

  • Summer 2024:  June - July
  • Fall 2024:  August 21 - December 9
  • Spring 2025:  January 23 - May 12
  • Summer 2025:  June - July

Computer Science Authorization Program Schedule (Summer 2023 Cohort)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 1, 2024. Spaces are limited. Registration does not guarantee enrollment. Applicants will receive notification about enrollment status in May.

Apply Here


Cost and Registration

There is a cost for the CS Authorization courses. The cost depends on the amount of funding received each year as well as the number of students who participate. Selected candidates will be provided information about financial obligation and will be required to sign an agreement to confirm a spot in the program.


Teacher Insitute Reflections and Testimonials

Listen to Jean Young Back, multiple subject teaching credential candidate at the SJSU Lurie College of Education, and Kelly Herz, 5th grade teacher at Stonegate Elementary in the Franklin-McKinley School District, share their reflections about the science pathway of the 2020 institute and how this experience has shaped them going forward.

Listen to Eduardo Quintero, two-way bilingual Immersion and Mariachi teacher in the San Jose Unified School District, and Kyla McCartney, multiple subject teaching credential candidate at the SJSU Lurie College of Education, share their reflections about the math pathway of the 2020 institute and how this experience has shaped them going forward.

Listen to Pearl Lam, integrated teacher education program (ITEP) student at SJSU, and Roxanne Lanzot, high school teacher at Lincoln High in the San Jose Unified School District, share their reflections about the 2020 institute's computer science seminar and how this experience has shaped them going forward.