Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Note: The questions below are not exhaustive. Information is accurate as of August 18, 2020. Should you have a question not addressed here, please email Miguel Zavala, Program Director, at [email protected]. If you have an urgent advising question, please contact the Office for Student Services:
When can I apply to the Urban Learning Program?
Applications typically open October 1st and end November 30th for admissions into the next Fall semester.
Where can I find information about applying to the Urban Learning major? Can I apply directly with the Program?
Unfortunately, Urban Learning program or the College of Education do not handle admissions to the major. That is under the purview of the University.
Access the University admissions main page here: /admissions
Access information about the Urban Learning Program here: /academic/ccoe/programs/ulrn
Can I apply for the Urban Learning major in Spring semester?
No. The University has set guidelines for admissions during Fall semester.
I have been admitted to Cal State LA to another major and wish to transfer to the Urban Learning major. How do I go about doing that?
Please connect with our recruiter, Ana Zambrano, to commence the process of changing your major to Urban Learning and getting onboarded on to the program
You must attend the mandatory orientation prior to meeting with Ana Zambrano.
What are the program admissions requirements for transfer students?
All transfer students:
Required minimum cumulative GPA: 2.4
Required major preparation courses (grade of "C" or better required):
One of the following two history courses:
HIST 1010 – World History to 1500 CE
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877
BIOL 1010 – General Biology
COMM 1100 – Oral Communication
Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses listed above:
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Quantitative Reasoning (Math)
Additional recommended preparation for transfer students (grade of "C" or better required)
CHDV 1400 – Development Across the Lifespan (Conception to Adolescence)
ENGL 2700 – Why Literature Matters
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877
My community college counselor suggests I take a physical sciences & lab class. Is this required to enter the Urban Learning program at Cal State LA?
At Cal State LA, the program requires the following courses to be taken: NATS 1010 – Physical Science, and NATS 1020 – Earth and Space Science. Please contact our office so we can look at the courses that transfer per agreements between Cal State LA and specific community colleges.
What does the time frame look like for someone wanting to complete Multiple Subject and Special Education (mild to moderate) as a full-time student?
If you are getting either credential and a bachelor’s, you can finish the program in 2.5 years as a full-time student who just transferred from community college. The dual credential has not been offered as of yet, but that one you should be able to complete in 2.5 years after transferring.
Are classes for this program only on campus (are any courses available online)? If so, are evening classes available to complete full-time semesters?
No. We do offer certainly courses online. For upper division students, the grand majority of courses are offered in the evenings (4:30 and beyond).
I have passed the CBEST - what additional exams would have to be completed before completing my degree?
CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers) because it is required for directed-teaching in multiple subject. For special education, you don’t need it. You will also need to complete an assessment for future teachers called the edTPA, as well as the RICA (Reading Instruction Competence Assessment) examination (these can be taken after the courses are completed so you do not need them for your degree; the edTPA is only needed for multiple subject, the RICA is needed for both).
I currently teach a TK/K combination at a small private school. For student teaching, would I automatically be placed at a school of your choosing, or would the school I currently work in be an option? If so, what requirements would my school need to meet in order to have me student teach there?
Unfortunately, we cannot do placements in private schools. We can work with public accredited schools, including charter schools, in the appropriate subject matter setting.
I am interested in the dual credential (specialist and multiple subject) program option. How is it different from the others and what requirements does it have?
The dual credential is our newest program option. It is different from the multiple subject credential in that you work to obtain an education specialist credential as well. The dual credential is distinct from the specialist credential in that you obtain your multiple subject credential too. For specific requirements like courses and field experiences, please contact the Office of Student Services:
I am an interested in the blended program, where I get my B.A. in Urban Learning and a teaching credential. What are the requirements?
Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.4
Required major preparation courses (grade of "C" or better required):
One of the following two history courses:
HIST 1010 – World History since 1500
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877
BIOL 1010 – General Biology
COMM 1100 – Oral Communication
Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses listed above:
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Quantitative Reasoning (Math)
Additional recommended preparation for transfer students (grade of "C" or better required)
ENG 2700 – Why Literature Matters
CHDV 1400 – Development Across the Lifespan (Conception to Adolescence)
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Note: The questions below are not exhaustive. Information is accurate as of August 18, 2020. Should you have a question not addressed here, please email Miguel Zavala, Program Director, at [email protected]. If you have an urgent advising question, please contact the Office for Student Services.
Applications typically open October 1st and end November 30th for admissions into the next Fall semester.
Where can I find information about applying to the Urban Learning major? Can I apply directly with the Program?
Unfortunately, Urban Learning program or the College of Education do not handle admissions to the major. That is under the purview of the University.
Access the University admissions main page here: /admissions
Access information about the Urban Learning Program here: /academic/ccoe/programs/ulrn
No. The University has set guidelines for admissions during Fall semester.
Please connect with our recruiter, Ana Zambrano, to commence the process of changing your major to Urban Learning and getting onboarded on to the program
You must attend the mandatory orientation prior to meeting with Ana Zambrano.
All transfer students:
Required minimum cumulative GPA: 2.4
Required major preparation courses (grade of "C" or better required):
One of the following two history courses:
HIST 1010 – World History to 1500 CE
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877
BIOL 1010 – General Biology
COMM 1100 – Oral Communication
Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses listed above:
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Quantitative Reasoning (Math)
Additional recommended preparation for transfer students (grade of "C" or better required)
CHDV 1400 – Development Across the Lifespan (Conception to Adolescence)
ENGL 2700 – Why Literature Matters
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877
At Cal State LA, the program requires the following courses to be taken: NATS 1010 – Physical Science, and NATS 1020 – Earth and Space Science. Please contact our office so we can look at the courses that transfer per agreements between Cal State LA and specific community colleges.
If you are getting either credential and a bachelor’s, you can finish the program in 2.5 years as a full-time student who just transferred from community college. The dual credential has not been offered as of yet, but that one you should be able to complete in 2.5 years after transferring.
No. We do offer certainly courses online. For upper division students, the grand majority of courses are offered in the evenings (4:30 and beyond).
CSET (California Subject Examinations for Teachers) because it is required for directed-teaching in multiple subject. For special education, you don’t need it. You will also need to complete an assessment for future teachers called the edTPA, as well as the RICA (Reading Instruction Competence Assessment) examination (these can be taken after the courses are completed so you do not need them for your degree; the edTPA is only needed for multiple subject, the RICA is needed for both).
Unfortunately, we cannot do placements in private schools. We can work with public accredited schools, including charter schools, in the appropriate subject matter setting.
The dual credential is our newest program option. It is different from the multiple subject credential in that you work to obtain an education specialist credential as well. The dual credential is distinct from the specialist credential in that you obtain your multiple subject credential too. For specific requirements like courses and field experiences, please contact the Office of Student Services:
Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.4
Required major preparation courses (grade of "C" or better required):
One of the following two history courses:
HIST 1010 – World History since 1500
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877
BIOL 1010 – General Biology
COMM 1100 – Oral Communication
Required General Education courses not covered by major preparation courses listed above:
Written Communication
Oral Communication
Quantitative Reasoning (Math)
Additional recommended preparation for transfer students (grade of "C" or better required)
ENG 2700 – Why Literature Matters
CHDV 1400 – Development Across the Lifespan (Conception to Adolescence)
HIST 2010 – United States History to 1877.