UCR CHASS: Liberal Studies Program

Information for students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences who plan to become teachers in California elementary, middle, or high schools.

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Introduction

This site provides specialized academic advisement for students planning to enter the teaching profession. Undergraduates who plan to become elementary, middle, or high school, or special education teachers, are encouraged to come to the Bridge to Teaching office for early advisement to best prepare for entering a credential program after graduation.

We understand that future teachers face a complicated path to success. They not only have graduation requirements to meet, but also foundation courses for the teaching credential program and subject matter preparation.

Advisors want to help students navigate these requirements. At UCR, we believe that prospective teachers should first of all receive a university education and our goal is to provide our students with a first-rate pre-professional program that prepares you to teach the subjects you will be teaching in California schools.

Developing a Professional Plan

There are multiple routes to receiving a credential in the State of California . Most students enter a credential program after receiving their BA degree. By your junior year you will need to develop an after-graduation professional plan to know what additional preparation you may need before you graduate. You’ll want to be ready to apply to the credential program of your choice during your senior year.

Where will you go for your credential program? Is UCR your first choice or a school nearer to where you live or want to teach?
The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing web site (www.ctc.ca.gov) has a list of California Teacher Preparation Institutions.

Do you want to be considered for the UCR accelerated Blended/Integrated Program?
Qualified Liberal Studies majors have the opportunity to enroll in an accelerated program resulting in an elementary credential. The end goal is to be able to begin your “professional” student teaching in the final quarter of your senior year. Students accepted into the Blended Program will finish the program as interns and with two additional post-baccalaureate quarters complete their preliminary credential. This program enable early deciders the opportunity to begin teaching their own classes earlier and, as, interns, to continue to receive the intense support of the Graduate School of Education and the school district during the first year of teaching. Completion of EDUC001 and 002 and a GPA of 3.0 or higher (Jr/Sr GPA) is required.

Are you interested in UCR’s combined credential plus M.Ed. program?
An accelerated program in which the exceptional teacher candidate earns both a teaching credential and a master’s degree in four quarters – summer, fall, winter, spring. Open to multiple and single subject candidates. Applicants must have minimum GPA of 3.2 (Jr/Sr GPA).

Are you interested in earning a BCLAD emphasis?
The Bilingual, Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development Emphasis in Spanish provides special training to help prospective elementary school teachers deliver instruction in the student’s primary language of Spanish and English. It is a available to multiple-subject candidates only. For more information contact Dr. Yolanda Venegas in 1124 Sproul.

Are you interested in the Special Education Specialists Program?
The Mild/Moderate Credential authorizes the teaching of individuals with specific learning disabilities, mental retardation, other health impairments, and serious emotional disturbances. This credential also authorizes the recipient to teach in the resource specialist position (RSP). The Moderate/Severe Credential authorizes the teaching of individuals with autism, mental retardation, deaf-blindness, serious emotional disturbance, and multiple disabilities.

Get good grades. Most credential programs require a 3.0 GPA in all work taken after 90 units.

How are your interview skills, your interpersonal skills, and your organizational skills? They aren’t going to show up on your transcript but are vitally important. Contact the UCR Career Services Center for assistance with these and for assistance with the Graduate School application.

Who will write letters of recommendation for you? You will need at least three letters from faculty members that know you, your career goals, as well as your ability to be successful in graduate school. Don’t wait until the last minute to approach a potential recommender.

It is your responsibility to learn the application submission dates for the program you are applying to.

Preparing to be an Elementary School Teacher
(Multiple Subjects)

Future elementary teachers must navigate four sets of requirements as undergraduates:

The State also requires that all teacher candidates have a Certificate of Clearance. Department of Justice and FBI fingerprinting and character clearance is required by law for any credential program. The COC is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). We recommend that you apply early in your senior year since there is a four-six month processing period.

You will complete the undergraduate pre-requisites for UCR’s Multiple Subjects Credential Program as part of your Liberal Studies major.

CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test):
It should be taken in the sophomore year. Passage is required to enter a credential program. Applications can be found in 1124 Sproul Hall or online at www.cbest.nesinc.com . UCRX offers a CBEST examination Assessment and Preparation workshop ($195/5 sessions) (www.UCRExtension.net . The Learning Center also offers test preparation sessions quarterly (www.learningcenter.ucr.edu ).

CSET (California Subjects Examination for Teachers):
This exam should be taken as you enter your senior year. Passage is required to enter a credential program. This exam satisfies the subject matter competency requirement for the Multiple Subject Credential. Applications can be found in Sproul 1124. For more detailed information, including a full-length practice exam, please consult their website (www.cset.nesinc.com ). This exam, like the CBEST, is divided into three subtests which can be taken at the same time or separately. UCR offers a CSET Preparation course (video $40/$280/5 sessions) (www.UCRExtension.net ) for more information. UCR’s Learning Center also offers a test preparation course each quarter. For more information please contact Gary Westfahl (gary.westfahl@ucr.edu ).

How Prepared Are You to Teach the Required Multiple Subject Content Areas?

It is important that you prepare yourself to teach the Required Subjects of Study. To learn the content specifications (domains) within each content area consult the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing website (www.ctc.ca.gov)

Outlined below are the content areas you are expected to know. We have indicated the UCR courses we feel will best prepare you. The majority of these courses are required courses for the Liberal Studies major for students on the 05Fall catalog. For students on an earlier catalog, refer to the sample breadth requirement designed to help you select courses that cover content areas while fulfilling your college breadth requirements.

Reading , Language, and Literature:
English, including knowledge of, and appreciation for literature and the language, and the skills of speaking, reading, listening, spelling, handwriting, and composition.
Reading: EDUC172, EDUC177A
Language: ENGL 1A-1B-1C, LING 20
Literature: American Literature : ENGL014 or ENGL031 or ENGL032, World Literature: CPLT017A, Myth and Folklore: RLST012, Children’s Literature: ENGL140E-Z or EDUC173

History and Social Science:
Drawing upon the disciplines of anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology and sociology. Instruction shall provide a foundation for understanding the history, resources, development, and government of California and the United States of America; the development of the American economic system, including the role of the entrepreneur and labor; the relations of persons to their human and natural environment; eastern and western cultures and civilizations; contemporary issues; and the wise use of natural resources.
History: American History : HIST017A and HIST017B, World History: HIST010 and HIST015, California History : HISA138
Social Science: ETST001/WMST010 and TWO from ANTH001, SOC 001, SOC 010, POSC010

Mathematics:
Includes concepts, operational skills, and problem solving.
Math : MATH005 and EDUC141

Science:
Includes the biological and physical aspects, with emphasis on the processes of experimental inquiry and on the place of humans in ecological system.
Life Science: BIOL002 and BIOL003
Physical Science: CHEM003 and PHYS016
Earth and Space: ENSC001 and/or GEO 002

Visual and Performing Arts:
Includes instruction in the subjects of art and music, aimed at development of aesthetic appreciation and the skills of creative expression.
Visual Arts: ART 001 or ART 002 or one lower division AHS Performing Arts: DNCE005, MUS 001 or MUS 006, THEA010 or THEA070

Human Development/Physical Education:
Define concepts related to the development of personality and temperament (e.g. attachment, self-concept, autonomy, identity).
Human Development: EDUC110 and EDUC116

Physical Education:
With emphasis upon the physical activities for the pupils that may be conducive to health and vigor of body and mind, for a total period of time of not less than 200 minutes each 10 schooldays, exclusive of recesses and the lunch period.

Health:
Including instruction in the principles and practices of individual, family, and community health.
Physical Education/Health: EDUC044

Preparing to be a Middle School or High School Teacher
(Single Subject)

Future Single Subject teachers must navigate four sets of requirements as undergraduates:

A Certificate of Clearance is required of all teacher candidates. Department of Justice and FBI fingerprinting and character clearance is required by law for any credential program. The COC is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC ). We recommend that you apply early in your senior year since there is a four-six month processing period.

Foundation Courses:
The following courses are the undergraduate foundation courses (pre-requisites) to UCR’s Single Subject Credential Program and must be completed prior to beginning professional student teaching:

What exams must I take?

CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test):
It should be taken in the sophomore year. Passage is required to enter a credential program. Applications can be found in 1124 Sproul Hall or online at www.cbest.nesinc.com . UCRX offers a CBEST examination Assessment and Preparation workshop ($195/5 sessions) (www.UCRExtension.net). The Learning Center also offers test preparation sessions quarterly (www.learningcenter.ucr.edu ).

Credentials Offered:
UCR ‘s Credential Program offers credentials in the following areas:

English
Subtest 1: English literature and textual analysis
Subtest 2: English language, linguistics and literacy
Subtest 3: English Communication, speech, media and creative performance

Completing the English major gives you excellent subject matter coverage. Be sure to take: ENGL112, and ENGL103 (computer assisted section). CWRT056 is also valuable.

Mathematics (foundational)
Subtest 1: Mathematics Algebra, Number Theory
Subtest 2: Mathematics Geometry: Probability and Statistics

Mathematics
Subtest 1: Mathematics Algebra, Number Theory
Subtest 2: Mathematics Geometry: Probability and Statistics
Subtest 3: Mathematics Calculus; History of Mathematics

Please consult with Leslie Bushong in the Department of Mathematics (827-3113) for more information on meeting subject matter competency.

Social Science (History major preferred)
Subtest 1: World History, Geography
Subtest 2: US History, Geography
Subtest 3: Civics, Economics, California History

The History major will prepare you well to teach history but as the holder of a Social Science Credential you must be prepared to teach other social science disciplines. The sample breadth requirement workshop is included to help you receive content area coverage while fulfilling your college breadth requirements.

Related Careers

Students interested in a career in education but necessarily as a teacher might be interested in the following. All candidates are required to pass the CSET examination and a post baccalaureate degree study consisting of a minimum number of units in a Commission-accredited professional preparation program which specializes in the specialization you wish to pursue. For more detailed requirements and information on the Professional Preparation Program for Pupil Personnel Services credentials please refer to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing web site: www.ctc.ca.gov.

School Counseling
Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate a school counseling and guidance program that includes academic career, personal, and social development. Advocate for the high academic achievement and social development of all students’ needs.

School Social Work
Assess home, school, personal, and community factors that may affect a student’s learning; identify and provide intervention strategies for children and their families, including counseling, case management and crisis intervention. Consult with teachers, administrators, and other school staff regarding the social and emotional needs of students and coordinate family, school, and community resources on behalf of students.

School Psychology
Provide services that enhance academic performance. Design strategies and programs to address problems or adjustment. Consult with other educators and parents on issues of social development and behavioral and academic difficulties. Conduct psycho-educational assessment for purposes of identifying special needs. Provide psychological counseling for individuals, groups, and families. Coordinate intervention strategies for management of individuals and schoolwide crises.

School Child Welfare and Attendance Services
Access appropriate services from both public and private providers, including law enforcement and social services. Provide staff development to school personnel regarding state and federal laws pertaining to due process and child welfare and attendance laws. Address school policies and procedure that inhibit academic success. Implement strategies to improve student attendance. Participate in schoolwide reform efforts. Promote understanding and appreciation of those factors that affect the attendee of culturally-diverse student populations.