Undergraduate Pathways

Elementary Teacher Preparation Pathways

Beginning in Fall 2018, the Elementary Teacher Preparation Pathways (E-TPP) provides individualized roadmaps for undergraduate students majoring in Liberal Studies (LS) or Child and Adolescent Development (CAD) to become elementary teachers, including bilingual teachers in Spanish, Cantonese, or Mandarin. The E-TPP integrates requirements for subject matter preparation, general education, major requirements and allows students to begin the Multiple Subjects Credential courses with the option of Bilingual Authorization—all within four years of undergraduate study. Through the E-TPP advising pathways, LS and CAD majors will complete all requirements to become an elementary teacher and enter the credential program prior to completing their Bachelor’s Degree, while waiving the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSETs) requirement. Completion of the credential will require post-BA course work and practicum.

Planned for implementation in Fall 2019, the Liberal Studies Integrated Teacher Education (LSITE) program will integrate all components of the subject matter waiver, general education, major requirements, Multiple Subjects Credential and optional Bilingual Authorization with the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree. LSITE graduates will be eligible to enter elementary school teaching positions upon graduation with the BA and credential in four years.

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Education Minor

The Graduate College of Education offers Undergraduate pathways to careers in Education.

The EDUC Minor prepares undergraduate students to explore and to prepare for careers as professional educators at the post-baccalaureate level. Courses are designed to include foundations of education roles in a variety of settings that include working with young children; students in elementary school and high school; and adults. Hands-on experience is a component of each course in the EDUC Minor and enables students to complete fieldwork requirements to enter credential programs following completion of the Bachelor's Degree. Students may satisfy both a minor and complementary studies requirements through the 12-credit EDUC Minor. Assistance and advising to complete requirements for application and admission to credential programs is provided to all EDUC Minor students.

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Early Childhood Education

The Department of Elementary Education offers Early Childhood Education courses for students who are interested in learning how to educate young children. Our early childhood education courses prepare candidates to teach young children at different developmental stages in general, inclusive, and/or bilingual education settings from birth to 8 years old. Each course is developed to meet the program learning goals as below:

Program Learning Outcomes

• To develop an ability to work with and learn from other early childhood professionals.
• To understand the importance of curriculum development that is based on individualization; teaching and learning styles; social and cultural expectations
• To identify knowledge of areas of development involved during the early childhood period and an understanding of how to develop curriculum supporting those areas at different developmental levels
• To understand developmentally and culturally appropriate California infant/toddler and preschool learning foundations
• To be able to understand and develop appropriate guidance strategies

These urban-centered, field-based courses are designed to give you a mastery of the play and inquiry based preschool and elementary school curriculum Through fieldwork with all early childhood age groups in a variety of educational and community-based settings in both general education, you will learn to create and adapt environments that allow all children to reach their maximum potential.

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