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Knowing engaged, qualified teachers set the foundation for a lifelong love of learning, the ÖйúÒ»¼¶Æ¬ designed the online Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies with the K–6 classroom in mind.

Imagined for students eyeing a career in elementary education, this program equips students with the knowledge to work toward their and pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). The program is offered completely online, with additional in-person fieldwork and observation required.

The online BA in Educational Studies stands upon the mission and history of La Verne’s LaFetra College of Education, which has spent more than 75 years cultivating qualified educational professionals ready to make a difference in the classroom. In the LaFetra College of Education, students and faculty function as a team toward a collective goal, and this outlook shapes the instruction throughout all educational studies courses and the approach our students take while on assignment.

Focusing on quality instruction, student service, practical applications, and CSET preparation, the online bachelor’s in educational studies inspires students to become multi-subject elementary school teachers through several methods:

• Coursework focuses on educational theories and philosophies, with the end goal of having students transition into a teaching credential program.
• Core, elective, and concentration courses zero in on the content knowledge needed for the K–6 classroom and for special education.
• Interdisciplinary degrees emphasizing research, analysis, and leadership work to enhance students’ communication, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Focusing on the classroom, coursework, and fieldwork help students design curricula, instruction, and assessments toward the needs of diverse student populations, factoring in cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Students develop planning, organizational, and leadership skills they put into practice during field assignments.
• During the course of the program, students become familiar with the multitude of issues facing the educational system and have the option to gain a concentration in an in-demand classroom subject matter.

Curriculum

Prerequisites

Students interested in beginning the online BA in Educational Studies should have completed at least 28 semester hours of transferable credits from a regionally accredited college or university, earning an unweighted minimum GPA of 2.5. Credits must cover equivalent courses for RCS 110: College Writing A and RCS 111: College Writing and Research. Even after transferring credits, however, all educational studies students must fulfill La Verne’s 44-unit residency requirement.

Educational Studies Major Courses and Specializations

All online educational studies students begin with 44 semester hours’ worth of core courses. While these courses fulfill the major’s requirements, we encourage our Ìýstudents to develop a specialization. Students may pursue these paths through electives, for which eight (8) semester hours are recommended, and a concentration requiring 12 upper-division semester hours.

Review the .

Based on the number of credits transferred and if a student decides to pursue a concentration, the degree can be completed in as few as 18 months.

Online BA in Educational Studies graduates who earn at least a 3.0 GPA for all major coursework and a 2.75 cumulative GPA will be eligible to apply for ÌýLa Verne’s teaching credential program. Ìý.

Careers for Educational Studies students

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that demand for kindergarten and elementary school teachers , California itself is dealing with a continuous teacher shortage, .

Students interested in teaching in the state first need to obtain a license. Upon earning a bachelor’s degree, students:

• must complete all prerequisite undergraduate teaching credential program courses, including public speaking, American Government, and Health Education;
• must take and pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or CSET: Multiple Subjects and CSET: Writing Skills tests;
• are required to finish a California-certified teaching credential program, including student teaching and reading methodology courses; and
• must also pass the state Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) exam.

Along with setting students up for the credentialing process, the online BA in Educational Studies prepares students for multiple post-graduation paths, including:

• pursuing a master’s degree in education or a related field;
• a career shaping educational policy through a nonprofit, corporate, or program development position; and
• teaching in a range of elementary education environments, including at private, religious, and online format schools.