Future Elementary School Teachers Transfer Student Orientation Center for Careers in Teaching

About the Center for Careers in Teaching (CCT) It’s a complicated path to become a teacher: CCT is an undergraduate advising center specifically for future teachers! ► CCT provides academic advising to help coordinate your multiple goals and requirements. ► We will help you streamline the process by recommending the specific classes you need. ► CCT is an Information Management Service: The world of teaching changes constantly and we can help you keep up to date.

  Bachelor’s Degree   Multiple Subject Teaching Credential What does it take to become an elementary school teacher?

Bachelor’s Degree Minimum 120 Units (Some degrees require more) General Education 51 units Major units (Most are 36-51) Minor or elective units Bachelor’s Degree Minimum 120 Units (Some degrees require more) What does it take to earn a bachelor’s degree?

Completing the General Education Program All students must complete at least 9 units of approved GE courses at CSUF. This applies to you EVEN IF you… ► Are GE certified. ► Are IGETC certified. ► Earned an AA degree. ► Completed all sections of GE at a community college. ► Attended another 4-year institution, including a different CSU campus.

Keeping Track of Your Progress Toward the Degree ► Check your TITAN Degree Audit (TDA) before and after you register for classes. ► The TDA is an automatic system that reads your community college transcripts and sorts the classes into the various GE categories and Major requirements. ► As you take courses at CSUF, those courses appear on your degree audit. ► Utilizing this resource will help you stay on track and avoid surprises as you approach graduation.

GE Program Overview The GE Program is organized into 5 categories for a total of 51 units minimum: I.Core Competencies (9 units) II. Historical Foundations (12 units) III.Disciplinary Learning (27 units) IV. Lifelong Learning (3 units) V.Cultural Diversity (3 units*) *Not an additional 3 units as this category is simultaneously satisfied with a course from either III or IV.

General Education Program Requirements GE Program requires 51 units, including: ► 9 units of upper division approved GE courses* ► 9 units of approved GE courses taken at CSUF* ► 3 units in cultural diversity (* courses) ► 9 units maximum from a single dept, excluding units associated with Category I, Core Competencies, requirements ► Each course counts in one category only, except those meeting Category V, Cultural Diversity *Usually the same 9 units

Little Known GE Rule— The 12, 12, 12 Requirement All students must accumulate  12 units of GE Science and Math  12 units of GE Arts and Humanities  12 units of GE Social Science Transfer GE certification is based on  9 units of GE Science and Math  9 units of GE Arts and Humanities  9 units of GE Social Science Students who transfer GE certified are still held to the 12:12:12 rule!

Common Transfer Scenarios ► Student transfers GE certified with 10 units of GE math/science:  3 units of GE Math  3 units of GE Life Science  3 units of GE Earth or Physical Science  1 unit GE science lab ► This student must earn at least 2 more GE math/science units to meet the graduation requirement. ► Solution: Take a 3-unit upper division GE science/math course from the approved list to complete the 12 units and earn upper division credit at the same time.

Review the TDA ► Initially, the TDA is produced on the basis of the program reading your scanned transcripts…this is the preliminary TDA. ► Frequently check your TDA to ensure that information is correct and up-to-date.

Graduation Requirements ► Consult the Bachelor’s Degree Worksheet online at bachdegwks.asp bachdegwks.asp bachdegwks.asp ► Complete your GE and Major requirements ► Accumulate at least 120 units (or more, depending on your major)  At least 40 units of upper division ( )  At least 30 units in residence (24 upper div; 12 of the 24 in the major) ► Satisfy the Upper Division Writing Requirement ► Apply for a grad check two semesters before graduation ► Finish with a 2.0 cumulative, CSUF, major GPA ► Review the restrictions on the various kinds of units (e.g. CR/NC, etc)

  Subject Matter   Pedagogy (how to teach) What does a teacher need to know?

How do you prepare in these two categories of knowledge? Subject Matter   General Education   Major Studies   Electives Pedagogy  Credential Program (including student teaching)

Future Teachers Fulfill Multiple Sets of Requirements GE Major Subject Matter Preparation Credential Program Prereqs

Multiple Sets of Requirements GE Major Subject Matter Preparation Credential Program Prerequisites For elementary teachers:

Popular Majors for Teaching Elementary School Traditional Majors   Child & Adolescent Development (CHAD)   Liberal Studies (LBST) Other Possibilities: ► American Studies ► Anthropology ► Asian American Studies ► Chicano Studies ► Communications ► Criminal Justice ► English ► Geography ► History ► Human Services ► Psychology ► Religious Studies ► Sociology

Subject Matter Competency 4 4 Teachers need to “know their stuff” in the subject(s) they teach. 4 4 The state requires proof of subject matter knowledge by:   State-approved exam : California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET)

CSET ► ► The CSET is offered in three subtests which may be taken together or separately:   Literature, Language Arts and Social Sciences   Math and Science   Human Development, Physical Education, and Visual and Performing Arts ► ► All subtests must be passed prior to admission to the credential program. ► ► Students prepare for this exam through the general education, major and/or elective courses they take.

Credential Program Prerequisites ► ► Courses:   Human Development (may have been completed at a community college)   EDEL 315 (“B” or better)   EDEL 325 (“B” or better) ► ► Exams:   Basic Skills Requirement (CBEST)   CSET Multiple Subjects ► ► Completed application, including background check, autobiography and letters of recommendation ► ► GPA Requirement: 2.75 (last 60 units)

What About Teaching Special Education? The Specialist Credential allows you to teach K-12 special needs students. You can enter the Special Education Credential Program with the option of following the same subject matter competency for multiple subject or single subject credential programs.

What steps should I take next?   Explore the Center for Careers in Teaching web site.   Attend an orientation for your major.   Attend a full CCT seminar during your first semester for further information.   See your major advisor.   Call the CCT for an appointment for one-on-one advisement and an academic map (657)

Center for Careers in Teaching Visit the CCT web site at: Sample academic plans 4 4 Teaching news and information 4 4 CCT Seminar dates 4 4 Important web links