Urban Learning Program

Prepares you to teach in general education elementary classrooms.

List of Required Courses:

Equips you to teach in bilingual settings (Spanish) in elementary classrooms. 

Prerequisite: Fluency in Spanish, as evaluated by the Bilingual Authorization.

List of Required Courses

*Not a required course, but strongly recommended for EdTPA support

Focuses on teaching students with diverse learning needs in grades K–12, transitional kindergarten, and in classes organized primarily for adults through age 22. Students will the option to earn the Educational Specialist teaching credential in Early Childhood Special Education, Mild Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, or Visual Impairment.

Mild Moderate Support Needs Program List of Required Courses:

*Not a required course, but strongly recommended
** Link to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing website for CalTPA information
https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CalTPA_TestPage.html

*Not a required course, but strongly recommended
** Link to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing website for CalTPA information
https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CalTPA_TestPage.html

Early Childhood Program List of Required Courses:

Extensive Support Needs Program List of Required Courses:

*Not a required course, but strongly recommended
** Link to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing website for CalTPA information
https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CalTPA_TestPage.html

Visual Impairment and Blindness Program List of Required Courses:

*Not a required course, but strongly recommended
** Link to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing website for CalTPA information
https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CalTPA_TestPage.html

Earns you both Multiple Subject and Education Specialist credentials in Mild Moderate Support Needs in an accelerated timeframe.

List of Required Courses:

*Not a required course, but strongly recommended
** Link to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing website for CalTPA information
https://www.ctcexams.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/CalTPA_TestPage.html

Allows you to complete both your Elementary Subject Matter (ESM) and bachelor’s degree without credential. Graduates may pursue careers in education-related fields, educational support services, or teaching assistance. They can also return later to complete their teaching credential.

• As freshmen.  Freshmen complete a program of GE preparation under the supervision of the program before beginning the major course or study. Freshmen should enroll in CCOE 1010 (Introduction to Cal State LA and the College of Education, 3 units) to satisfy the Cal State LA Introduction to Higher Education requirement and seek advisement from ULRN at orientation or during their first semester of enrollment.  All freshman students will receive a plan of study toward satisfaction of their GE requirements.
  Entering Cal State LA as a Freshman

• As junior transfers from a community college.  Transfer students must have a minimum of 60 transferable units, and should request GE or IGETC certification before transferring.  Transfer students must complete a short application and have their transcripts reviewed by the program coordinator prior to beginning their course of study, and will enroll in CCOE 3010 (College Success and Professional Preparation, 2 units) their first semester of attendance. 
  Preparing to Transfer from a Community College

Freshman and transfer students should apply to the ULRN program as soon as they decide to enter the major and have been admitted to Cal State LA.  It is not necessary to wait until you enroll at Cal State LA.  The earlier you apply the better advisement you will receive and the smoother your transition will be!

To apply to the program, students must:

• Complete a one-page application form
• Write a short essay describing your reasons for becoming a teacher
• Have their transcripts reviewed (transfer students only)
• Apply for a Certificate of Clearance

Please contact the ULRN program at [email protected] to schedule an appointment to apply to the program.

Certificate of Clearance
The California Education Code §44340 & 44341 require that all individuals who seek to obtain California credentials, certificates, permits, and waivers issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing receive fingerprint clearance from the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Commission. Individuals who have received fingerprint clearance through other California agencies, employers, other states, or government agencies are not exempt from this process.  Certificates of Clearance issued on or after February 28, 2005, are valid for five years.  The College of Education requires all students entering the credential program or enrolling in courses that include fieldwork with students to hold a valid Certificate of Clearance before they may register for these courses.

In the Urban Learning Program, students are assigned to a cohort at the beginning of their junior year. Students are not considered officially enrolled in the program until they have applied to the program, are placed in a cohort, and have enrolled in CCOE 1010 or CCOE 3010.

Freshmen entering Cal State LA should seek advisement early and often during their freshman year.  Advisement is available from Jesus Arellano at [email protected], and Brian Castillo at [email protected].  Advisement is available to freshmen as soon as they are admitted to Cal State LA, while they are still in high school. 

Students majoring in Urban Learning and entering as freshmen will receive a 4-year program plan which will make their progress through the ULRN program easier and ensure they select the courses they need. During their first two years, students entering as freshmen will complete a program of lower division general education (GE) coursework, coursework toward the elementary subject matter (ESM) waiver, and lower division Urban Learning major coursework.  During their final two years, students are placed in a ULRN cohort and complete upper-division GE coursework, remaining coursework toward the ESM waiver, and teacher preparation coursework and fieldwork.

Transferring from a Community College?

Interested in Becoming a High School Counselor?

Interested in Becoming a Teacher?

For program information please contact at [email protected]

Urban Learning Program

For questions regarding advisement please contact Jesus Arellano at [email protected]. 

Our Cohorts

A principal goal of the Urban Learning Program is the development of students’ collaboration and teamwork skills. Each student in the Urban Learning major is assigned to a cohort at the beginning of the junior year. A ULRN cohort is a collegial group of students who take their coursework together while they work and study collaboratively.  Cohorts are made up of 20-25 students pursuing the Multiple Subject, Education Specialist, or both credentials. The cohort is a critical academic, social, and professional support system throughout the degree program. Advisement is available from Brian Castillo at [email protected].

The Major and Credential Options

The major program consists of 60 units of lower-division general education preparation, 135 units in the major, and electives appropriate to the student's credential option. Students may earn one or two credentials in the program:

• A Multiple Subject credential, preparing the student to teach children grades K-8 in self-contained classrooms.  Students may also add a subject matter authorization to their credential, allowing them to teach subject matter curriculum for grades 7-9.
• An Education Specialist credential prepares the student to teach children with disabilities ranging from birth to grade 12, depending upon the disability option they select.  The student may select from among four options: Mild-to-Moderate Disabilities, Moderate-to-Severe Disabilities, Physical and Health Impairments, and Visual Impairment and Blindness.
• The Accelerated Dual Credential Program leads to a Multiple Subject and Education Specialist credential and prepares the candidate to address the learning abilities and needs of a broad range of students in inclusive settings.