Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Academic Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Liberal Studies, Preparation for Teaching, BA + Multiple Subject Credential + Teaching MAT


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As juniors, Liberal Studies, Preparation for Teaching, BA  students are eligible to apply for a Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education (SAGE) Scholars Programs that allows them to be concurrently enrolled in the Multiple Subject Credential  and Teaching, MAT  graduate programs as an undergraduate. Students will be able to take graduate level courses in their junior and senior years as undergraduates. The program includes an option for a Spanish Bilingual Authorization. The primary goals are to:

  1. strengthen and make cohesive SJSU’s education of elementary school teachers;
  2. to reduce barriers to entrance to the Multiple Subject Credential  program, particularly for underrepresented minorities; and
  3. to increase retention of students across these undergraduate and graduate programs.

There are numerous benefits to this combined pathway. First and foremost, early exposure to graduate courses productively enhances and integrates students’ professional development. Undergraduates will be allowed to enroll in educational theory and practice courses during the years when they are developing competency in the subjects taught in K-8 classrooms. A combined pathway of theory, practice, and K-8 subject matter allows students to integrate these three legs of teaching early and often, and gives them ample time to assimilate the linkages prior to when they are required to demonstrate understanding and skills in all three areas - student teaching.

To add a Spanish Bilingual Authorization to this pathway, students simultaneously apply to the Critical Bilingual Authorization (CBA) program. This requires an additional personal essay in their SAGE Scholars application and an interview in Spanish. CBA students also take three credential courses in Spanish (EDEL 108A EDTE 208 , and EDTE 262 ), do their student teaching in bilingual classrooms, and attend an extra seminar during their student teaching courses.

Summary of Degree Units

Liberal Studies, Preparation for Teaching, BA 104
Teaching, MAT + Multiple Subject Credential 47
Total 151

For more information, contact the Program Director Susan Verducci Sandford.

Admissions Requirements

Most native and transfer students will become eligible to apply for the SAGE Scholars program in the Fall semester of Year 3 and enter the pathway during the Spring semester of Year 3. Applications will be processed by the Department of Teacher Education and without an application fee. Students will not need to apply formally for graduate admission if accepted into this program.

  • Students must have successfully completed a minimum of 60 undergraduate degree applicable units and not more than 120 undergraduate degree applicable units at the time of program;
  • Students must be enrolled in or have completed the undergraduate Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) prior to admission into the program. For Liberal Studies students, this means HUM 100W 
  • Students must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA at time of admission. GPA is calculated by the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) units taken or a student’s cumulative GPA, whichever is higher Note that this is a higher GPA standard than other SAGE Scholars programs; and,
  • Students must meet the Teaching, MAT  and Multiple Subject Credential admissions requirements.

Students who have reached up to their first semester as classified seniors will remain eligible for entry into the SAGE program. Second semester, senior-level students enrolled in the term they expect to graduate from their baccalaureate degree are not eligible to enter into the SAGE program as these students will not gain the accelerated graduate-level benefit offered through the SAGE blended program option.

Academic Standing

Continuation requirements: SAGE Scholars must meet the same requirements to remain in the undergraduate and graduate programs as students in traditional pathways. Requirements for program continuation and advancement to candidacy in the graduate program, include:

  • Meeting every semester with an academic advisor to plan and track coursework and graduate status. Once the BA is conferred, students meet every semester with their graduate advisor to plan a formal course of study;
  • Successfully completing 9 units of graduate coursework in the Elementary Education program;
  • Demonstrating aptitude for advanced work in professional education as measured by instructor appraisals, evaluation of previous academic work, recommendation by qualified professionals, or other assessments;
  • For the Spanish Bilingual Authorization, passage of the CSET LOTE (subtest III) must occur prior to the second phase of student teaching; and
  • The proposed graduate program must be approved by the graduate coordinator before the student may be considered a candidate for the MAT degree.
  • Students are converted to graduate status when they have completed 120 SAGE program-applicable units. The following University Requirements are waived or satisfied with required courses in the major: GE Areas A2, A3, B, C2, and E, SJSU Studies (R, S and V). Alternate courses that may satisfy these requirements are not counted in the calculation of the 120 SAGE program-applicable units.

Graduation requirements: SAGE Scholars must meet the same undergraduate graduation requirements as Liberal Studies, Preparation for Teaching majors, including University and GE requirements, to be conferred the BA. As graduate students, SAGE Scholars must meet all current graduate program requirements. Upon completion of the credential requirements, students must have achieved a SJSU cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in their graduate work order to be recommended for a credential.

Program Requirements (151 units)


Liberal Studies, Preparation for Teaching, BA (104 units)


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Field Study Courses with Pre-Professional Experience: 45 hours included in LSTP 185 , and 10 hours included in each LSTP 85A /LSTP 85B /LSTP 85C  course.

University Requirements (17 units)

The Lower and Upper Division General Education  requirements may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. To satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) , students must pass both the SJSU Writing Skills Test (WST) and HUM 100W  with a grade of “C” or better (“C-” not accepted).

Major Requirements (87 units)

Teaching, MAT + Multiple Subject Credential (47 units)


Upon completion of the MAT and credential requirements, students must have achieved a SJSU cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to be recommended for a credential. Completion of the MAT also requires a minimum grade of “C” in all courses taken and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. All Multiple Subject Credential courses, except the Student Teaching component (EDEL 143A /EDEL 143B ).

Spanish Bilingual Authorization: Complete student teaching (EDEL 143A /EDEL 143B ) in Spanish bilingual classrooms and attend an extra seminar session in these student teaching classes; and take the following courses in Spanish: EDEL 108A EDTE 208 , and EDTE 262 .

Culminating Experience (3 units)


Students must satisfy the culminating experience requirement by completing Plan A (Thesis) or Plan B (Project), and a presentation on the same at the department’s colloquium, which is held near the end of each fall and spring semester.

Plan A (Thesis): Write a master’s thesis. The thesis will include original research on a topic approved by the thesis committee, and must meet university requirements as stipulated in this catalog and in the SJSU Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Guidelines. The thesis identifies the problem, states the major assumptions, explains the significance of the undertaking, sets forth the sources for and methods of gathering information, analyzes the data, and offers a conclusion or recommendation. Thesis proposals must be approved by the graduate committee, which is made up of two department faculty and a third faculty member from outside the department. Students enroll in: 

Plan B (Project): Complete a master’s project report. A project is a significant undertaking that evidences originality and independent thinking, appropriate form and organization, and a rationale. It is described and summarized in a report that includes the project’s significance, objectives, methodology and a conclusion or recommendation. Students enroll in: 

Total Units Required (151 units)


The Liberal Studies, Preparation for Teaching, BA  requires the completion of LING 108 , and CHAD 150  or CHAD 151 . Students satisfy these courses in this SAGE Scholars Program by completing EDEL 108A  and EDTE 262 . Students must complete a minimum of 120 units to satisfy the bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 30 units to satisfy the master’s degree. In order to satisfy these requirements, 16 units of the credential count towards the bachelor’s degree and 24 units of the credential count towards the master’s degree.  

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