Gladys L. Benerd School of Education

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (B.A.L.S.) (Diversified Major) (Elementary Education/Multiple Subject - K-8)

About the Degree

This degree is for undergraduates wanting to teach elementary or middle school or become a special education teacher.

The Diversified Major and degree program for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Liberal Studies prepares students  to teach with a Multiple Subject (mostly elementary and middle school teaching) or Education Specialist (Special Education) Credential.

Admission Information

Interested students should apply to the University’s  Office of Admissions.  A cumulative grade point average (GPA) 2.5 (on a 4-point scale) is needed for consideration for admission to the teacher education program.

Become a Teacher in Four Years

Students who begin the program to become a teacher in the freshman year are able to complete the major, complete their general education courses, and obtain the professional credential within four years. The program is approximately 132 units and students must take 32-34 units per year (two semesters/year) to reach these objectives.

Courses in the Diversified Major

• Language Arts
  • EDUC 110, Introduction to Syntax and Semantics, 3 units
  • Pacific Seminar I, 4 units (for freshmen) or a college composition course (for transfers)
  • Pacific Seminar II, 3 units (for freshmen); transfers have a choice of World Religions, Cultural Anthropology, or an elective in Global Studies
  • COMM 143, Intercultural Communication, 4 units
  • ENGL 25, Literature and Composition, 4 units
  • EDUC 100, Introduction to Language, 3 units
  • EDUC 120, First and Second Language Acquisition, 3 units 
• Math/Science
  • MATH 35, Elementary Statistical Inference, 4 units
  • MATH 161, Concepts of Math, 4 units
  • BIOL 41, Introduction to Biology, 4 units
  • PHYS 17, Concepts of Physics, 4 units
  • GEOS 57, Earths Systems Science, 4 units
• Humanities/Social Studies
  • HIST 50, World History I, 4 units
  • HIST 20, U.S. History I
  • HIST 21, U.S. History II
  • HIST 130, California History
• Visual and Performing Arts
  • EDUC 142, Visual Arts in Education, (studio art and art appreciation for elementary students), 4 units
  • MEDU 100, Music for Children, 3 units
  • THEA 11, Introduction to Theater, 3 units
• Physical Education and Human Development
  • SPTS 151, Elementary Physical Education, 4 units
  • PSYC 29, Child Development
• Concentration: Students select a “concentration” to acquire depth of study in a field: literature and language arts; mathematics; sciences; visual and performing arts; physical education; special education/human development;  social sciences; bilingual/cross-cultural education (Spanish).
• Pacific Seminar III, 3 units:  A University requirement, senior status.
• Prerequisite Courses in Teacher Education:
  • EDUC 140, Transformational Teaching & Learning, 4 units
  • EDUC 141, Transformational Teaching & Learning Practicum, 2 units
  • EDUC 130, Technology Enhanced Learning Environments, 2 units
  • EDUC 150, Teaching and Assessment, 3 units
  • EDUC 163, Teaching English Learners, 3 units

Credential Candidacy Prior to Professional Methods Courses

Students  apply for admission to the teacher education credential program at the end of EDUC 140 and 141.  Attainment of Credential Candidacy status allows the student to take professional courses in the teacher education program prior to student teaching. These courses are:

• EDUC 151, Teaching Science, 2 units
• EDUC 152, Teaching Mathematics, 2 units
• EDUC 160, Productive Learning Environments, 2 units (begins Fall 2010)
• EDUC 161, Literacy Development, 4 units
• EDUC 162, Literacy Assessment, 2 units
• SPED 125x, Teaching Exceptional Learners, 2 units (to be taken during directed teaching)

Required California Tests Prior to Directed Teaching 

• Pass the  California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
• Pass the Multiple Subjects  California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET-MS)

Student Teaching

Directed Teaching (student teaching), EDUC 170/270 and the required seminar for student teachers (EDUC 172), may be completed with department approval. Directed teaching is a full semester of sixteen weeks with placements at local schools.  Competencies must be approved by the cooperating teachers and University supervisors.

Other Requirements

• Embedded Signature Assignments, as part of the Performance Assessment for California Teachers
  ( PACT) assessment program (to be completed while taking teacher education courses and designed to help students meet the Teaching Performance Expectations (TPEs) required by the  Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• PACT Teaching Event: during student teaching, you will be required to videotape yourself teaching and you will respond to a series of prompts, as prescribed by the PACT assessment program and designed to help students meet theCTC's TPEs.
• Reading Instruction Competency Assessment ( RICA) examination must be passed prior to being recommended for a preliminary teaching credential.

Additional Information

For additional information, please contact the  Administrative Assistant.

Curriculum and Instruction Department
Gladys L. Benerd School of Education
3601 Pacific Ave
Stockton , CA 95211

Phone: (209) 946-2852
Fax: (209) 946-3110