Liberal Studies, B.A. · Pre-Teaching Credential Pathway
Research and Internship Opportunities
UC Merced offers hands-on experience relevant to future teachers. Many of these opportunities are paid internships or fellowships.
Five places to start
Where to get experience, and how to get in
Teaching intern or fellow
CalTeach Learning Lab
The UC system’s only teaching lab of its kind.
What you do
- Develop and deliver hands-on STEAM lessons for K–12 students during the academic year and in summer, as part of the Bobcat Summer STEM Academy.
- The lab also helps place interns with Merced City School District in student support programs.
How to get involved
- Follow the lab on Instagram for opportunities and events.
- Reach out to CalTeach advisor Melissa Amarillas through Academic Advising.
Research assistant
Child and Family Development Group Labs
A group of UC Merced faculty and students who study how children learn and grow.
What you do
- Collect and prepare data for experiments on how children learn and grow.
How to get involved
- Enroll in a course taught by the faculty member who runs the lab that interests you.
- Attend their office hours and ask about student opportunities.
Teacher aide
Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC)
A campus program for young children of UC Merced parents and the local community.
What you do
- Work with children from infancy through preschool.
The center will serve as a practicum opportunity in the forthcoming Child Development minor.
How to get involved
- Contact ECEC Director Danielle Waite at ecec@ucmerced.edu.
- Ask about a center tour and student opportunities.
Undergraduate researcher
Students Assessing Teaching and Learning (SATAL) Program
A nationally recognized program in the Center for Engaged Teaching and Learning.
What you do
- Gather, analyze, and report data on classroom instruction, such as use of instructional time, classroom engagement, and learning activities.
- Learn research methods for evaluating and improving teaching.
How to get involved
- Watch the videos and testimonials on the SATAL website.
- Contact SATAL Coordinator Adriana Signorini at asignorini@ucmerced.edu.
Writing consultant
University Writing Center (UWC)
Writing support for students in all majors.
What you do
- Provide one-to-one support and workshops on the writing process.
- Learn writing pedagogy, such as approaches to feedback.
How to get involved
- Visit the center on the second floor of Kolligian Library, KL 296.
- Email writingcenter@ucmerced.edu for application information and deadlines.
