Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Academic Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Social Science, Preparation for Teaching, BA + Single Subject Credential + Teaching MAT



This Spartan Accelerated Graduate Education (SAGE) Scholars Programs prepares students in Social Science, Preparation for Teaching (Single Subject), BA  to simultaneously complete the requirements for the Baccalaureate, Single Subject Credential  in Social Science, and Teaching, MAT  degrees (with optional Spanish bilingual authorization). Students can progress from undergraduate to graduate status seamlessly, with a simplified application process and no application fee. They complete all degrees in less time as compared to completing them separately. The program equips students with the content knowledge, historical analysis skills, and pedagogical techniques necessary to be an effective single subject teacher of United States history, world history, economics, government, geography, and ethnic studies.

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, do their student teaching in bilingual classrooms, and attend an extra seminar during their student teaching courses.

Summary of Degree Units

Social Science, Preparation for Teaching, BA 112
Teaching, MAT + Single Subject Credential 47
Total 159

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. To be eligible: 

  • 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;
  • 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 Single 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:

  • Successfully complete 9 units of graduate coursework in the Secondary Education program;
  • Demonstrate aptitude for advanced work in professional education as measured by instructor appraisals, evaluation of previous academic work, recommendation by qualified professionals, or other assessments;
  • Meet with a graduate advisor to plan a formal course of study. The MAT degree approved programs are individually designed to meet specific student objectives;
  • To enter student teaching, students must have completed the Subject Matter Competency requirements (CSETs or Subject Matter Competency waiver, if applicable). CBA students must pass the CSET-LOTE prior to student teaching;
  • To convert to graduate status, students must have completed their 45 hours of pre-professional service in a public school setting: 25(+) in the secondary subject area and up to 20 hours any work with youth;
  • To convert to graduate status, students must have completed all lower-division work (including lower and upper-division general education courses and American Institutions courses); 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 satisfied with required courses in the major: American Institusions and GE Area D and SJSU Studies (S and V). Alternate courses that may satisfy these requirements are not counted in the calculation of the 120 SAGE program-applicable units unless they are listed in the University Electives section of the major.

Graduation requirements: SAGE Scholars must meet the same undergraduate graduation requirements as Social Science, 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 (159 units)


Social Science, Preparation for Teaching, BA (112 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 ).

University Requirements (38 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 HIST 100W  with a grade of “C” or better (“C-” not accepted).

Major Requirements (62 units)


Recommended Minor or University Electives (12 units)


The 12 units of the minor need to be distinct from major requirements. Recommend: African American Studies Minor Asian American Studies Minor Chicana and Chicano Studies Minor General History Minor Native American Studies Minor , or United States History Minor .

Teaching, MAT + Single Subject Credential in Social Science (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. 

Spanish Bilingual Authorization: Complete student teaching (EDSC 184X /SSED 184Y /SSED 184Z ) in Spanish bilingual classrooms and attend an extra seminar session in these student teaching classes; and take the three courses in Spanish: EDTE 208  and two advisor approved courses.

Culminating Experience (6 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 (159 units)


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, 8 units of the credential count towards the bachelor’s degree and remaining units of the credential count towards the master’s degree.