Pre-Teaching Credential Pathway

Liberal Studies is the recommended major for students pursuing careers in elementary education or early childhood education.

The curriculum provides the broad academic foundation required for teaching multiple subjects and satisfies California’s Subject Matter Competency requirement for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (TK-8), eliminating the need to take the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). Students with qualifying units in early childhood education or child development can pursue the PK-3 ECE Specialist Credential (preschool-3), as well.

 

Liberal Studies, B.A.
  • Sastisfies Basic Skills B.A. requirement
  • Satisfies Subject Matter Competency Requirement for Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (no CSET required)

Liberal Studies, B.A. + Natural Sciences Education minor
  • Satisfies Basic Skills B.A. requirement
  • Satisfies Subject Matter Competency Requirement for Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (no CSET required)
  • Satisfies required fieldwork hours for admission to teacher preparation programs.
  • 8 units of courswork satsify major, minor AND Multiple Subject credential requirements at UCM's Teacher Preparation Program.

Liberal Studies, B.A., with 24 units of early childhood education and/or child development coursework**

**Students should connect with the Liberal Studies faculty advisor (ckoehler@ucmerced.edu) regarding qualifying coursework.
  • Satisfies Basic Skills B.A. requirement
  • Satisfies Subject Matter Competency requirement for Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (no CSET required)
  • Satisfies Subject Matter Competencey requirement for PK-3 ECE Specialist Credential

 

Students in the major benefit from the program's close collaboration with CalTeach, a UC-systemwide initiative to provide future teachers with individualized guidance, courses, and field experiences that complement students' work in the major and set students up for sucess in their credential program. CalTeach administers a Natural Sciences Education minor that can add value to students' Liberal Studies, B.A. and early progress toward credential requirements.

Liberal Studies students are also well positioned for admission to UC Merced’s Teacher Preparation Program, which offers both in-person and online Multiple Subject Teaching Credential pathways. Beginning in Fall 2026, students will have access to a new PK–3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Credential (preschool-3), the only such program in the UC system, expanding pathways into early childhood education. 

Together, these partnerships create a coherent pathway from undergraduate study through credential preparation and into the teaching profession.

** Note: Students who plan to pursue a teaching credential should carefully consider whether to declare an emphasis track. Only diplomas that exactly match the approved list of degree majors from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (“Liberal Studies, B.A.”) will satisfy the Subject Matter Competency requirement for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential by degree title. Students who declare an emphasis track will be required to take the California Subject Examination of Teachers (CSET) to satsify Subject Matter Competency.