Suggested Coursework

Suggested Coursework

Students interested in the pre-teaching credential pathway can consider the following courses in their academic planning, as part of selecting lower-division major breadth, upper-division major electives and/or General Education courses. These are offered as suggestions, not as degree requirements.

Up to 12 units of coursework offered through the School of Natural Sciences or the School of Engineering can credit toward major degree requirements, with a petition process. Natural Sciences Education courses NSED 25/26, NSED 45/46, NSED 100, and NSED 120 are pre-approved to satisfy major requirements.

Transfer students can confirm course equivalencies through Assist.org and in consultation with their transfer advisor.

I. Suggested courses that satisfy admissions or credential requirements for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, as well as major breadth and elective requirements:

  • HIST 016: Forging of the U.S.: 1607-1877 -OR- POLI 001: Introduction to Political Science **meets the U.S. Constitution requirement for a California Teaching Credential
  • NSED 25 + NSED 26 (2 units): Introduction to Teaching Elementary School Science and Math seminar with fieldwork **provides required fieldwork hours for admission to teacher preparation programs
  • NSED 45 + NSED 46 (2 units): Introduction to Teaching Middle School Science and Math seminar with fieldwork, fall only **provides required fieldwork hours for admissions to teacher preparation programs
  • NSED 100: Project-Based Instruction: Assessment and Management for Beginning Teachers (4 units) **dually satisfies required credential coursework with UC Merced’s Teacher Preparation Program
  • NSED 120: Classroom Interactions: A Focus on Equity in Rural and Urban Schools (4 units) **dually satisfies required credential coursework with UC Merced’s Teacher Preparation Program

II. Suggested courses to satisfy lower-division major breadth and/or GE electives, mapped to core knowledge for elementary educators. **BOLDED COURSES BELOW ARE OFFERED IN FALL 2026.

Reading, Language, & Literature

  • COGS 005: Intro to Language and Linguistics
  • COMM 001: Speech Traditions
  • ENG 010: Foundations of Literary Studies -or- SPAN 050: Intro to Literary Analysis (prerequisite: SPAN 004 or SPAN 011 or equivalent exam)
  • ENG 030: Children's Literature 

History & Social Science

  • HIST 012: World Histories & World Geographies
  • HIST 016: Forging of the U.S.: 1607-1877
  • HIST 017: Twentieth Century America
  • HIST 022: The Golden Road: California History as U.S. History

Science

  • ANTH 005: Intro to Biological Anthropology
  • BIO 005: Concepts and Issues in Biology
  • ESS 001: Intro to Earth Systems Science 
  • PHYS 004: Introductory Astronomy 

Math

  • MATH 005: Preparatory Calculus -or- MATH 008: Foundations of Quantitative Reasoning (restricted to SSHA majors who have not already completed MATH 005) 
  • POLI 010: Understanding Political Controversies -or- PSY 010: Analysis of Psychological Data 

Visual and Performing Arts

  • GASP 002: Intro to Music Studies
  • GASP 003: Intro to Visual Culture
  • GASP 004: Intro to Media and Performance Studies -or- GASP 080A / ENG 012: Intro to Drama, Theater, and Performance

Human Development

  • PSY 001 is suggested, to access upper-division developmental psychology and cognitive science coursework (see below)

III. Suggested upper-division elective and/or GE courses, to deepen core knowledge for elementary educators. **Accessibility of upper division coursework will depend on completion of prerequisites. **ALL COURSES BELOW ARE OFFERED IN FALL 2026

Reading, Language, & Literature

  • COMM 159: Metaphor and Thought (prerequisite: COGS 001)
  • Any upper division ENG or SPAN literature courses
  • SPAN 103: Spanish Composition and Conversation (prerequisite: SPAN 004 or SPAN 011 or equivalent exam)
  • SPAN 170: Spanish Linguistics (prerequisite: SPAN 103)
  • WRI 100: Advanced Composition (prerequisite: WRI 010)
  • WRI 105: Grammar and Style (prerequisite: WRI 010)

History & Social Science

  • ANTH 110: Migration, Diaspora, and Transnational Belonging (prerequisite: ANTH 001 or Junior standing)
  • Any upper division HIST courses
  • POLI 107: California Politics
  • SOC 115: Political Sociology

Visual and Performing Arts

  • GASP 156D: History of Ancient Roman Art and Architecture
  • GASP 158B: Women, Gender, and Art in Islamic Cultures
  • HS 167: Buddhist Art and Architectural Heritage

Physical Education

  • PH 116: Personal Health (prerequiste: PH 001 or PH 005)
  • PSY 120: Health Psychology (prerequisite: PSY 001 or equivalent exam)
  • SOC 146: Social Determinants of Health 

Human Development 

  • ANTH 162: Growth, Development, and Human Evolution
  • PSY 130: Developmental Psychology (prerequisite: PSY 001 or equivalent exam) 
  • PSY 134: Adolescent Development (prerequisite: PSY 001 or equivalent exam) 

IV. The following courses are offered routinely and may be of additional interest as major elective and/or GE choices for future educators, with a focus on pedagogy, learning, and educational systems. **BOLDED COURSES BELOW ARE OFFERED IN FALL 2026

  • NSED 130: Technology in Education
  • NSED 150: Research Methods in Education
  • NSED 174: Contemporary Issues in Teaching
  • Any additional developmental psychology courses in the PSY 13X-series (e.g. 132, 133...)
  • PSY 163: Psychology of Learning and Memory (prerequisite: PSY 160)
  • SOC 132: Sociology of Education 
  • SPAN 180: Educational Interpretation and Translation (prerequisite: SPAN 103)