Sample 2-Year Transfer Plan

Liberal Studies, B.A. · Pre-Teaching Credential Pathway

Sample 2-Year Transfer Plan

For transfer students planning a career as an elementary educator. This plan combines the Liberal Studies, B.A. with a Natural Sciences Education (NSED) minor and covers remaining GE requirements.

A sample, not a prescription. This is just one illustration of a two-year plan.

Satisfies the Basic Skills requirement

Satisfies Subject Matter Competency for a Multiple Subject credential, so the CSET is not needed

Completes fieldwork hours for credential program admission

Provides 12 units that count toward both major and minor requirements

Four semesters · 60 units

The plan, term by term

Each course counts toward:Majorthe Liberal Studies majorMinorthe NSED minorOpen electiveneither

Year 3

Fall

14 units

  • LBST 001 Introduction to Liberal StudiesMajorLower-division cornerstone

    4 units

  • Take concurrently

    • NSED 025 Introduction to Teaching Science and Mathematics in Elementary School: SeminarMinorLower-division seminar

      1 unit

    • NSED 026 Introduction to Teaching Science and Mathematics in Elementary School: FieldworkMinorLower-division seminar

      1 unit

  • Major upper-division electiveMajor

    4 units

  • Major upper-division electiveMajor

    4 units

Year 3

Spring

14 units

  • Take concurrently

    • NSED 045 Introduction to Teaching Science and Mathematics in Middle School: SeminarMinorLower-division seminar

      1 unit

    • NSED 046 Introduction to Teaching Science and Mathematics in Middle School: FieldworkMinorLower-division seminarCourse numbers change to NSED 085/086 in Spring 2027, an integrated middle and high school seminar and fieldwork course.

      1 unit

  • NSED 120 Classroom Interactions in Science and Mathematics: A Focus on Equity in Urban and Rural SchoolsMajorMinorMajor upper-division elective and minor core

    4 units

  • Major upper-division electiveMajor

    4 units

  • Open electiveOpen elective

    4 units

Year 4

Fall

16 units

  • NSED 100 Project Based Instruction: Assessment and Management for Beginning TeachersMajorMinorMajor upper-division elective and minor coreSatisfies Upper Division GE Writing in the Disciplines.

    4 units

  • PSY 130 or PSY 134 Developmental Psychology or Adolescent DevelopmentMajorMinorMajor upper-division elective and minor corePrereq: PSY 001

    4 units

  • Major upper-division electiveMajor

    4 units

  • Open electiveOpen elective

    4 units

Year 4

Spring

16 units

  • LBST 191 Capstone in Liberal StudiesMajorCapstoneSatisfies Upper Division GE Culminating Experience.

    4 units

  • NSED 130 Technology in EducationMinorMinor core

    3 units

  • NSED 174 Contemporary Issues in Teaching with FieldworkMinorUpper-division fieldwork

    1 unit

  • Open electiveOpen elective

    4 units

  • Open electiveOpen elective

    4 units

Year 3: 28 units · Year 4: 32 units · Two-year total: 60 units

Before you plan

Other things to keep in mind

Choose the major without an emphasis track

The Liberal Studies major with no emphasis track is recommended. Students who declare an emphasis will not satisfy Subject Matter Competency and will need to take the CSET.

Declaring the minor

Transfer students may declare a minor after their first semester or summer session at UC Merced. Coursework that applies to the minor may be taken before declaring.

If your capacity is limited

Prioritize NSED 025/026, NSED 045/046, NSED 100, and NSED 120. These still count toward the Teacher Preparation Program and some major requirements. If you already took an introduction to teaching course at your community college that satisfies fieldwork hours, the lower-division NSED courses (NSED 025/026 and NSED 045/046) might not be necessary.

Upper Division Crossroads

Complete one course that satisfies the GE Upper Division Crossroads requirement within your major or open electives. LBST and NSED coursework already covers Upper Division Writing in the Disciplines and Culminating Experience.

U.S. Constitution requirement

Students entering a credential program need a course that satisfies the U.S. Constitution requirement. At UC Merced these are HIST 016 or POLI 001. Assist.org can confirm articulation from California Community Colleges, and other community college courses may also qualify. Questions go to CalTeach Advisor Melissa Amarillas.