Elementary Teacher Education
Associate in Arts for Transfer School of Education · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Elementary Teacher Education program is committed to preparation of pre-service elementary teachers who are competent in subject matter areas, capable of integrating knowledge across discipline boundaries, culturally sensitive to diverse learners, effective communicators, sound critical thinkers, and skilled in educational technology.
The Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer degree at Merced College is designed to prepare students to successfully transfer to a CSU campus to complete a pre-professional program leading to a multiple subject or special education credentialing program. Upon completion of the associate for transfer degree, the student is eligible for transfer with junior standing in the California State University (CSU) system.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
A. Formulate explicit connections between California K-8 Content Standards and subject matter knowledge in Elementary Education coursework.
B. Demonstrate integrative thinking through the development of projects that connect and integrate discipline knowledge across subject matter areas, including effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills in a variety of communication contexts.
C. Develop sensitivity to the diverse cultural, linguistic, and learning abilities of elementary-age students.
D. Formulate an understanding of a variety of teaching strategies to teach all learners effectively.
For an Associate in Arts in Elementary Teacher Education for Transfer (AA-T), students must complete the following:
60 semester CSU-transferable units.
the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern.
a minimum of 18 semester in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district.
obtainment of a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0.
earn a grade of C (or P) or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis.
Note: Students are not required to complete any additional local graduation requirements for the AA-T (e.g., PE and Computer and Information Literacy courses).
Program Requirements
Program Core: (33-45 Units)
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-01 | Introduction to Education I | 3 |
| COMM-C1000 | Introduction to Public Speaking | 33 |
| orCOMM-C1000H | Introduction to Public Speaking - Honors | |
| ENGL-C1000 | Academic Reading and Writing | 4 |
| POLS-C1000 | American Government and Politics | 33 |
| orPOLS-C1000H | American Government and Politics - Honors | |
| HIST-C1001 | United States History to 1877 | 33 |
| orHIST-C1001H | United States History to 1877 - Honors | |
| CLDV-01 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| BIOL-C1000 | Introduction to Biology with Lab | 44 |
| orBIOL-02 | Human Biology | |
| HIST-04A | History of Civilization Part I | 333 |
| orENGL-C1002 | Introduction to Literature | |
| orEDUC-03 | Children's Literature | |
| List A: Complete 4 units from the following: | ||
| GEOL-03 | Earth Science | 4 |
| PHSC-02 | Survey of Chemistry and Physics | 3 |
| PHSC-02L | Survey of Chemistry and Physics Laboratory | 1 |
| List B: Complete 3 units from the following: | ||
| ARTH-C1100 | Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era | 3 |
| ARTH-C1200 | Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary | 3 |
| ART-06 | Survey of Modern Art | 3 |
| MUSG-10 | Fundamentals of Music | 3 |
| MUSG-12 | Classical Music History II | 3 |
| MUSG-14 | American Popular Music History | 3 |
| MUSG-15 | Music Appreciation | 3 |
| THTR-01 | Introduction to Theater | 3 |
| List C: Up to 12 additional units*: | ||
| Any course(s) not selected above, and/or any courses that are lower preparation for the targeted major at a university | ||
| MATH-20A | Basic Structure of Mathematics I | 3 |
| MATH-20B | Basic Structure of Mathematics II | 3 |
| EDUC-02 | Introduction to Education II | 3 |
| PSYC-09 | Human Development | 3 |
| orCLDV-09 | Human Development | 3 |
| Total Units toward the Major | 33-45 | |
Total Units that may be double counted: (22-25 Units)
General Education (Cal-GETC) Units: (34 Units)
Elective (CSU Transferable) Units: (0-15 Units)
Total Degree Units: (60 Units)
*Additional requirements for the Elementary Teacher Education major may vary at each CSU campus. It is highly recommended that students speak to a counselor to discuss other possible courses that are part of major preparation at a local CSU campus.