PDF version of this chapterUndergraduate Degree
Bachelor of Science in General Studies
The Bachelor of Science in General Studies is the content preparation program of choice for students who plan to become skilled elementary classroom teachers. Credential requirements may change due to state law. Students are advised to consult periodically with the Undergraduate and Teacher Education Programs Office in Waite Phillips Hall, Room 1004, (213) 740-3471.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the General Studies major is based on the following: (1) overall GPA; (2) GPA in prerequisite courses (EDUC 200, EDUC 204L and EDUC 205L); (3) completion of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST); (4) three recommendations (two must be academic references); and (5) interview with the Teacher Education faculty.All pre-teaching majors are expected to complete EDUC 200 as a sophomore. Incoming transfer students must complete EDUC 200 during their first USC semester.
For information on the admissions process or to obtain an application, contact Teacher Education.
General Education Requirements
The university's general education program provides a coherent, integrated introduction to the breadth of knowledge you will need to consider yourself (and to be considered by other people) a generally well-educated person. This program requires six courses in different categories, plus writing and diversity requirements, which together comprise the USC Core. Click here and here for more information.Major Requirements
Students must meet general education and subject matter requirements in reading, language and literature; history and social science; mathematics; science; visual and performing arts; physical education; and human development. Successful completion of these required courses will prepare students to take the state-required California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). Passing CSET is required for all multiple subject credential candidates to demonstrate subject matter competency.| Required Courses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Reading, Language and Literature (16 units) | ||
| Fulfill General Education writing and Category V requirements described in the General Education Program | 12 | |
| LING 275L | Language and Mind | 4 |
History and Social Science (12 units) | ||
| CLAS 150 | The Greeks and the West, or | |
| HIST 101 | The Ancient World | 4 |
| HIST 200 | The American Experience | 4 |
| HIST 458 | History of California | 4 |
Mathematics (8 units) | ||
| MATH 108 | Introductory College Mathematics | 4 |
| MATH 200 | Elementary Mathematics from an Advanced Standpoint | 4 |
Science (12 units) | ||
Choose three courses that satisfy the General Education Category III requirement described in the General Education Program. | ||
Visual and Performing Arts (8 units) | ||
| THTR 201 | Introduction to the Theatre | 4 |
Choose one: | ||
| FA 102 | Design Fundamentals | 4 |
| FA 150 | Visual Culture and Literacy | 4 |
Physical Education (4 units) | ||
| EXSC 310 | Sociopsychological Aspects of Sport and Physical Activity | 4 |
Human Development (4 units) | ||
Choose one: | ||
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 336L | Developmental Psychology | 4 |
| Professional Core I (15 units) | UNITS | |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 200 | Introduction to the Teaching Profession | 2 |
| EDUC 204L | Sociological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 205L | Child Development and Learning in Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 409 | Foundations of Language Education | 3 |
| EDUC 410 | The Teaching of Reading and Writing | 4 |
Credential Track
Students seeking eligibility for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential must apply for advancement to student teaching. Specific criteria for advancing to student teaching include: (1) passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST); (2) passing the Subject Matter Examination (CSET); (3) completion of Professional Core I course work; (4) overall GPA of 3.0; (5) three recommendations from teacher education faculty; (6) Certificate of Clearance issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing; (7) verification of the tuberculosis skin test; and (8) an interview. Applications are available in WPH 1004.| Professional Core II (24 units) | units | |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 413 | Methods and Models of Instruction for Language Minority Students | 2 |
| EDUC 415 | Content to Pedagogy: Mathematics in the Elementary School | 2 |
| EDUC 416 | Content to Pedagogy: Art in the Elementary School | 2 |
| EDUC 417 | Content to Pedagogy: From Science Content to Science Curriculum | 2 |
| EDUC 418 | Content to Pedagogy: From Social Sciences to Social Studies | 2 |
| EDUC 419 | Content to Pedagogy: P.E. for Elementary Students | 2 |
| EDUC 424ab | Curriculum and Methods in Elementary Education | 2-2 |
| EDUC 425ab | Observation and Directed Teaching in Elementary Schools | 3-3 |
| MUED 479x | Music for the Elementary Classroom Teacher | 2 |
Summative Assessment of Competence
To be recommended for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, which is valid for five years, students must complete the following requirements: (1) earn the Bachelor of Science in General Studies degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0; (2) pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET); (3) pass the Reading Instruction Competency Assessment (RICA); (4) have a teaching performance assessment with the teacher education faculty; and (5) present a professional portfolio.Portfolio specifications and credential application materials are available in WPH 1004.
Non-Credential Track
Students seeking completion of the degree only, but not recommendation for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, may pursue the non-credential track of the General Studies major. Requirements include completion of: (1) the major requirements; (2) Professional Core I course work; and (3) 20 additional units.| Course Requirements | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Select two courses from the following (8 units): | ||
| EDPA 308 | Politics and American Education | 4 |
| EDPT 310 | Parental Influences on Children's Educational Development | 4 |
| URBN 375 | The Urban Neighborhood | 4 |
Select three courses from the following (12 units): | ||
| EDCO 324 | Asian American Psychology | 4 |
| GEOG 350 | Race and Environmentalism | 4 |
| HIST 455 | Advanced Topics in African-American History | 4 |
| POSC 333 | Stigma and Society: Physical Disability in America | 4 |
| POSC 427 | Black Politics in the American Political System | 4 |
| POSC 442 | The Politics of Human Differences: Diversity and Discrimination | 4 |
| PSYC 300 | Human Diversity: The Psychology of Individual Differences | 4 |
| SOCI 305 | Sociology of Childhood | 4 |
| SOCI 342 | Race Relations | 4 |
| SOCI 355 | Immigrants in the United States | 4 |
| SOCI 356 | Mexican Immigrants in a Diverse Society | 4 |
| SOCI 360 | Social Inequality: Class, Status, and Power | 4 |
| SWMS 364 | Racial and Ethnic Women in America | 4 |
| SWMS 384 | Overcoming Prejudice | 4 |
Minor in the Teaching Profession
Education increasingly drives societal advancement and economic development. Important to our future is a broader core of professional teachers with knowledge and passion for their disciplines. The teaching profession minor is designed to prepare capable students with an in-depth foundation and clinically developed skills to teach at the secondary level in public school classrooms and to obtain USC recommendation for the Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential.Admission Requirements
Admission to the teaching profession minor is based on the following: (1) overall GPA of 3.0; (2) 3.0 overall GPA in prerequisite courses (EDUC 200, EDUC 204L and EDUC 205L); (3) completion of the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST); (4) three letters of recommendation (two must be academic references); and (5) interview with the Teacher Education faculty.For information about the admissions process or to obtain an application, contact the Undergraduate and Teacher Education Program Office, WPH 1004, (213) 740-3471.
Program Requirements
The requirement for the minor is 29 units. In addition to required course work, students must also apply for advancement to student teaching prior to starting Core II courses. Specific criteria for advancing to student teaching include: (1) passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST); (2) completion of the Subject Matter Requirement via examination or course work; (3) completion of Professional Core I course work; (4) overall GPA of 3.0; (5) three letters of recommendation from Teacher Education faculty; (6) Certificate of Clearance issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing; (7) verification of tuberculosis skin test; (8) U.S. History requirement by course work or examination; and (9) an interview. Applications are available in WPH 1004.| Professional Core I | units | |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 200 | Introduction to the Teaching Profession | 2 |
| EDUC 204L | Sociological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 205L | Child Development and Learning in Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 409 | Foundations of Language Education | 3 |
| EDUC 411 | Reading and Writing Instruction in Secondary Schools | 4 |
| 15 | ||
| Professional Core II* | units | |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 413 | Methods and Models of Instruction for Language Minority Students | 2 |
| EDUC 450 | Curriculum and Methods in Secondary Education | 3 |
| EDUC 451ab | Student Teaching in Secondary Classrooms | 3-3 |
| EDUC 452 | Curriculum and Methods in Secondary Subjects | 3 |
| 14 | ||
* Students must apply for advancement to Student Teaching prior to starting CORE II courses.
Summative Assessment of Competence
To be recommended for a Preliminary Single Subject Teaching Credential, students in the teaching profession minor must complete the following: (1) a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0; (2) all subject matter course requirements or submit a passing score on the appropriate California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET); (3) Professional Core II course work; (4) an interview with the Teacher Education faculty; and (5) presentation of a Professional Portfolio.Portfolio specifications and credential application materials are available in WPH 1004.
Minor in Education in a Pluralistic Society
This minor emphasizes the relationship between school and society. Students will study educational problems and issues and learn how they can participate, as individuals and as members of organizations, in the improvement of educational programs in their communities.The minor will be of interest to students from a variety of backgrounds and interests: students majoring in social science areas such as anthropology, sociology, psychology and political science; future parents who will be sending their children to our nation's schools and participating in school improvement programs; international students who want to study the American educational system; and students entering professions such as law, medicine, social work, public administration and business where their work both impacts and is affected by the quality of students' educational experiences.
Required courses are two from Component A, three from Component B and the capstone course EDPT 490x. Twenty units of course work are required.
Component A: Societal Issues Affecting Education (two courses)
| EDCO 324 | Asian American Psychology | 4 |
| GEOG 350 | Race and Environmentalism | 4 |
| HIST 455 | Advanced Topics in African-American History | 4 |
| POSC 333 | Stigma and Society: Physical Disability in America | 4 |
| POSC 427 | Black Politics in the American Political System | 4 |
| POSC 442 | The Politics of Human Differences: Diversity and Discrimination | 4 |
| PSYC 300 | Human Diversity: The Psychology of Individual Differences | 4 |
| SOCI 305 | Sociology of Childhood | 4 |
| SOCI 342 | Race Relations | 4 |
| SOCI 355 | Immigrants in the United States | 4 |
| SOCI 356 | Mexican Immigrants in a Diverse Society | 4 |
| SOCI 360 | Social Inequality: Class, Status, and Power | 4 |
| SWMS 364 | Racial and Ethnic Women in America | 4 |
| SWMS 384 | Overcoming Prejudice | 4 |
Component B: Creating Successful Learning Environments (three courses)
| EDPA 302 | Global Education | 4 |
| EDPA 308 | Politics and American Education | 4 |
| EDPT 310 | Parental Influences on Children's Educational Development | 4 |
| EDUC 204L | Sociological Foundations of Education, or | 3 |
| EDUC 205L | Child Development and Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 409 | Foundations of Language Education | 3 |
Capstone Course (enroll after at least one course in each component)
| EDPT 490x | Directed Research | 2 |