Liberal Studies: Elementary Education

Associate in Arts
Transfer Preparation* (Major Code: 01800)

Designed to prepare students for transfer into a liberal studies program at a four-year university. This degree focuses on requirements for SDSU's Liberal Studies program. The required courses in art, child development, communication, composition, education, exercise science, history, literature, mathematics, music, and the sciences offer students a breadth of study across disciplines. In this integrated course of study, students learn to think critically, communicate clearly and effectively, and understand the underlying connections among different subjects.

Program Student Learning Outcome

  • Assess the personality traits necessary to become a successful teacher and evaluate whether teaching is an appropriate career.
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
ENGL/ED 200TEACHING AS A PROFESSION3
Three units selected from the following:3
ORAL COMMUNICATION
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Complete the following course:4
COLLEGE COMPOSITION: READING AND WRITING ANALYTICALLY
HONORS COLLEGE COMPOSITION: READING AND WRITING ANALYTICALLY
COLLEGE COMPOSITION FOR MULTILINGUAL STUDENTS
Three units selected from the following:3
CRITICAL THINKING AND ARGUMENT
LOGIC AND CRITICAL THINKING
ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE ++
Three units selected from the following:3
INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
WORLD LITERATURE I
WORLD LITERATURE II
MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE ++
HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE
Three units selected from the following:3
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY I
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY I
MEXICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY I
MEXICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY I
AMERICAN CIVILIZATION I
Three units selected from the following:3
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY II
AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY II
MEXICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY II
MEXICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY II
AMERICAN CIVILIZATION II
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS **
Complete the following course:3
WORLD HISTORY I
Complete the following course:3
WORLD REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY
MATHEMATICS
Complete the following courses:9
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS I
MATHEMATICS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS II
CHILDREN'S MATHEMATICAL THINKING
LIFE SCIENCE
Complete the following courses:4
PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY
PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY LABORATORY
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Complete the following courses:6
INTRODUCTION TO EARTH SCIENCE
INTRODUCTION TO THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES
VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS
Three units selected from the following:3
INTRODUCTION TO THE THEATRE
SURVEY OF DRAMA ++
Complete the following course:3
MUSICIANSHIP FOR GENERAL ELEMENTARY TEACHERS ++
EXERCISE SCIENCE AND HEATLH
Complete the following courses:3-5
PHYSICAL EDUCATION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
PRINCIPLES OF HEALTHFUL LIVING
HEALTH EDUCATION FOR TEACHERS
VALUES, ETHICS AND INDIVIDUAL PERSPECTIVE
Three units selected from the following:3
WORLD RELIGIONS
ETHICS: THEORY AND PRACTICE
INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY
Complete the following course:3
PRINCIPLES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Total Units62-64
*

Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should complete courses specific to the transfer institution of choice. University requirements vary from institution to institution and are subject to change. Therefore, it is important to verify transfer major preparation and general education requirements through consultation with a counselor in either the Counseling Center or Transfer Center. See catalog Transfer Courses Information section for further information.

**

Highly recommended for students seeking Social Science degree authorization

+

Transfer course acceptable for substitution to fulfill SDSU course requirement.

++

Does not fulfill SDSU requirements, but may fulfill requirements for other transfer institutions, including CSUs.  Please check with individual institutions to ensure the course will transfer.  Do not use for SDSU without approval.

Foreign Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement.  However, students interested in earning a bilingual teaching credential will be required to take upper division coursework in the language of the bilingual credential.  For example, students who wish to earn a bilingual teaching credential in Spanish will be required to take upper division coursework in Spanish.

San Diego State University

The Southwestern College associate degree requirements for Liberal Studies: Elementary Education are modeled after San Diego State's and will fulfill most of the requirements.  Please see a counselor for additional requirements.

All SDSU majors (1991-92 or later catalog) are required to prepare an assessment portfolio that demonstrates their mastery of the subject matter.  Because a portfolio should show growth in ability, syllabi and samples (graded papers, exams, and projects) should be saved from all lower-division courses.

All SDSU majors (2003-04 or later catalog) are also required to pass part or all of the California Subject Examination for Teachers-Multiple Subject (CSET-MS), depending upon their career goal.  The State of California currently allows students to take lower and upper division coursework in place of the CSET exam.  Any student interested in CSET waiver should meet with a counselor to ensure that the appropriate classes are taken to meet CSET waiver requirements.