The Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAEd) degree prepares students to seek employment in entry-level positions in elementary or secondary education. Students will consider, research, and learn to adapt curriculum to the needs of children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds and ability levels. Classes are taught by experienced, respected faculty who bring knowledge and expertise into the classroom.
The Bachelor’s degree in Education requires both academic and personal growth of its students, contributing to their success as education professionals. The program’s educational outcomes are to:
For acceptance into an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Education Degree program, applicants must satisfy one of the following criteria:
High school diploma from a university-recognized high school with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA or university-recognized high school equivalency such as GED, TASC, or HiSET;
OR
High school diploma plus a previously earned Associate-level or higher degree from a nationally, regionally, or government-accredited college or university;
OR
High school diploma plus twenty-four (24) college-level credits (does not include remedial credits) from a nationally, regionally, or government-accredited college or university earned with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA;
OR
Approval from the Admissions Committee following a review of factors considered essential for academic success, including previous academic progress, non-academic achievements, and any additional information requested by the Committee as they relate to standards set by the University's governing bodies.
The Bachelor of Arts in Education program consists of a program requirement of 120 credit hours, including 60 credits of Core Education Courses and 60 credits of Integrative Studies Courses.
Students may complete their entire 120 credit Bachelor of Arts in Education program by taking all 60 Integrative Studies and 60 Core Education Course credits at Westcliff University. Alternatively, students may transfer up to 60 Integrative Studies credit hours to Westcliff from another accredited school. Additionally, students may apply be granted course waivers for up to 30 credit hours of the required Bachelor of Arts in Education Core Education Courses. In any option, 54 of the 60 Integrative Studies credit hours must have academic content. Please refer to the Transfer Credit and Course Waiver Policies for more detailed information and requirements.
Students must apply for graduation and meet all academic and financial requirements.
Westcliff University requires all students enrolled in undergraduate-level degree or certificate programs in the College of Education to successfully complete a Practical Learning Experience (PLE) as a graduation requirement. Westcliff University degrees and certificates are designed to prepare students for the professional workforce, and the knowledge and skills learned throughout their program are directly applicable to the industries to which they are associated. Practical learning allows students to further refine the associated knowledge and skills through guidance, oversight, and feedback from industry experts and professionals while also building a stable network and gathering references to support their career needs. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to them in practical learning and maximize their potential career placement or advancement upon graduation.
The undergraduate PLE requirement is satisfied by completing a credit-bearing internship course that is assessed on a Credit/No Credit basis. During practical learning, students engage in empirical experiences, in addition to participating in assigned course activities. This practice reflects Westcliff’s commitment to a practical and relevant education and the value of applied, experiential learning. Students who have this experience demonstrate a more successful transition into a new career or career advancement. Students are encouraged to complete as many PLEs as their schedules will permit in pursuit of the completion of their program(s).
Undergraduate practical learning opportunities exist on- and off-campus. Off-campus practical learning requires prior University approval, and F-1 students must have Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization to participate in off-campus practical learning. Students are responsible for developing and demonstrating the skills necessary to be successful in a PLE. In addition to contemporary and growing industry knowledge, students should also be prepared to demonstrate professionalism, effective communication (written, oral and digital), and integrity while engaged in practical learning. The faculty facilitating internship courses associated with Practical Learning Experience assess these qualities and provide valuable feedback regarding their development to students throughout each experience. Students may reach out to Career Services with any questions about practical learning at the undergraduate level.
Bachelor of Arts in Education Program Requirements - 120 Credit Hours
Core Course Requirement - 60 Credit Hours
EDU 301 Introduction to Education 3 credit hours
EDU 305 Education Psychology 3 credit hours
EDU 311 Unit Design 3 credit hours
EDU 315 Educational and Social Justice 3 credit hours
EDU 320 Home, School, and Community Collaboration 3 credit hours
EDU 325 Art of Effective Teaching 3 credit hours
EDU 330 Building the Foundations of Literacy 3 credit hours
EDU 341 Child and Adolescent Development 3 credit hours
EDU 350 Assessment of the Learning Process 3 credit hours
EDU 355 Exceptional Students 3 credit hours
EDU 360 Curriculum and Instruction 3 credit hours
EDU 361 Information Literacy, Research, and Analysis 3 credit hours
EDU 365 Multicultural Education 3 credit hours
EDU 370 Teaching English Language Learners 3 credit hours
EDU 371 Strategies for Online Learning 3 credit hours
EDU 375 Teaching with Technology 3 credit hours
EDU 400 Differentiating and Scaffolding Instruction 3 credit hours
EDU 401 Educational Leadership 3 credit hours
EDU 410 Portfolio Development* 3 credit hours
EDU 450 Directed Field Experience* 3 credit hours
Integrative Studies and Elective Course Requirements - 30 Credit Hours
Communication 9 credit hours
Mathematics 3 credit hours
Humanities 3 credit hours
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 credit hours
Physical & Biological Sciences 3 credit hours
Open Integrative Studies 3 credit hours
Open Integrative Studies Upper Division 3 credit hours
Integrative Studies Capstone 3 credit hours
Elective Course Requirement - 15 Credit Hours
Students may choose to fulfill the elective requirement by selecting one or two concentration(s) or completing additional Integrative Studies courses.
Bachelor of Arts in Education Areas of Concentration
Coding for Education - The Full Stack Coding Bootcamp offered by Westcliff University is a multidimensional certificate program that bridges a path for students who want to pursue careers in the growing and exciting field of web development. The program focuses on creating dynamic and interactive experiences through a rigorous full stack coding curriculum. Students pursuing this program will gain the necessary skills for front-end and back-end development, all while preparing them for success in the professional world.
Early Childhood Education - Administration - The Certificate in Early Childhood Education Leadership and Administration prepares students to be leaders in the field of Early Childhood Education. Students work, research, and learn from early childhood education teachers with diverse backgrounds and real-world experience. This certificate meets the State of California Community Care Licensing Title 22 Administrative Requirements to be a fully qualified director for a Title 22 (private) child care (infant toddler, preschool, and school age) program as well as the Title 5 Administrative Requirements needed to apply for a Child Development Master Teacher/Site Supervisor/Program Director permit for a Title 5 (public) child care (infant toddler, preschool, and school age) program.
Early Childhood Education - Teaching Preparation - The Certificate in Early Childhood Education Teaching prepares students to be educators in the field of Early Childhood Education. Students consider, research, and learn to teach children with diverse backgrounds and ability levels. Students create a professional portfolio, partake in mock interviews, and are connected to leading Early Childhood Education agencies in the area. The certificate meets State of California Community Care Licensing Title 22 requirements to be a fully qualified teacher for a Title 22 (private) child care (preschool, and school age) program.
Educational Technology - The Educational Technology (EdTech) undergraduate certificate is a practical, innovative program that examines the history, current practices, and future possibilities for integrating technology into classrooms. Students learn how to navigate and best engage their students in online and blended educational settings. By discussing the latest trends in EdTech research, learning theories, and practical hands-on experience, students analyze the ways in which technology can enhance the learning experience. This certificate enables pre-service and in-service teachers to design and develop an online/blended learning experience. Students enrolled in this program complete the following courses.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - The College of Education offers an internationally recognized certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) for pre-service as well as in-service classroom teachers. This certificate provides students with an innovative methodology for English pedagogy with proven success at English language schools worldwide. Whether teaching in an ESL or EFL setting, students are prepared to deliver engaging and interactive language classes, while discussing the latest research trends in the English language teaching field. Students analyze, reflect, and integrate the foundations of TESOL and language acquisition into their teaching practices.
As a Westcliff student, you have access to a powerful network of support from staff, faculty, alumni, and many others who take pride in investing in you. Scholarships are made possible by generous benefactors who are passionate about supporting your success.
| Semester | Session | Scholarship Deadline | Start Date | End Date |
| FALL | Session 1 | 07/29/22 | Start: 8/29/22 | End: 10/23/22 |
| Session 2 | Start: 10/24/22 | End: 12/18/22 | ||
| SPRING | Session 3 | 12/03/22 | Start: 01/03/23 | End: 02/26/23 |
| Session 4 | Start: 02/27/23 | End: 04/23/23 | ||
| SUMMER | Session 5 | 04/01/23 | Start: 05/01/23 | End: 06/25/23 |
| Session 6 | Start: 06/26/23 | End: 08/20/23 |
