The Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAEd) degree prepares students to seek employment in entry-level positions in elementary or secondary education. Students learn to adapt curriculum to the needs of children from diverse backgrounds and ability levels. Classes are taught by experienced and respected faculty who bring knowledge and expertise into the classroom.
For acceptance into the Bachelor of Art in Education (BAEd) degree program, applicants must satisfy one of the following criteria:
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The Integrative Studies (General Education) courses at Westcliff are structured to provide a coherent, integrative introduction to the breadth of knowledge students will need to help them develop intellectual skills that will enhance their professional, civic, and personal life for years to come. Students will learn how to analyze the world around them from different perspectives, how to communicate their ideas and understand the ideas of others, how to solve problems, and how to apply their knowledge to real-world projects.
Westcliff University offers 19 Integrative Studies (General Education) courses, which students may take to fulfill the 30 credit hours requirement.
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 (General Education) Courses.
Students may complete their entire 120 credit Bachelor of Arts in Education program by taking all 60 Integrative Studies (General Education) and 60 Core Education Course credits at Westcliff University. Alternatively, students may transfer up to 60 Integrative Studies (General Education) credit hours to Westcliff from another accredited school. Additionally, students may 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 (General Education) credit hours must have academic content. Please refer to the Transfer Credit Policy for more detailed information and requirements.
Students must apply for graduation and meet all academic requirements.
Bachelor of Art in Education Program Requirements—120 Credit Hours Total
Core Courses—60 Credit Hours Total
| EDU 301 Introduction to Education | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 305 Educational Psychology | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 311 Unit Design | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 315 Education 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 Foundation 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 (General Education) Courses—30 Credit Hours Total
| Communication | 12 credit hours |
| Mathematics | 6 credit hours |
| Humanities | 6 credit hours |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 credit hours |
| Physical & Biological Sciences | 3 credit hours |
Elective Courses - 15 Credit Hours Total
Students may choose to fulfill the elective requirement by selecting one or two concentration(s) or completing additional Integrative Studies (General Education) courses.
Bachelor of Art in Education Areas of Concentration
Coding for Education
The Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Coding for Education 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.
To complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), students must complete the five (5) courses listed below—15 credit hours total.
| WEB 401 Front End Web Development | 6 credit hours |
| WEB 402 Back End Web Development | 6 credit hours |
| WEB 403 Advanced Full Stack Web Development | 6 credit hours |
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
The Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) 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.
To complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), students must complete the five (5) courses listed below—15 credit hours total.
| EDU 431 Foundations of TESOL and Second Language Acquisition | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 432 Lesson Planning and Classroom Management | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 433 Teaching Vocabulary and Grammar | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 434 Teaching Receptive Skills: Listening and Reading | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 435 Teaching Productive Skills: Speaking, Pronunciation, and Writing | 3 credit hours |
Early Childhood Education (ECE) - Administration
The Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood 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) childcare (infant toddler, preschool, and school age) program as well as
Education (ECE) - the Title 5 Administrative Requirements needed to apply for a Child Development Master Teacher/Site Supervisor/Program Director permit for a Title 5 (public) childcare (infant toddler, preschool, and school age) program.
To complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education (ECE) – Administration, students must complete the five (5) courses listed below—15 credit hours total.
| EDU 451 ECE Administration I – Programs | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 452 ECE Administration II - Leadership and Supervision | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 453 Adult Supervision and Mentoring | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 454 Professionalism | 3 credit hours |
| Integrative Studies (General Education) Elective | 3 credit hours |
Early Childhood Education (ECE) - Teaching Preparation
The Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Teaching Preparation 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) childcare (preschool, and school age) program.
Education (ECE) - To complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education (ECE) – Teaching Preparation, students must complete the five (5) courses listed below—15 credit hours total.
| EDU 441 Child Growth and Development | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 442 Child, Family, and Community | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 443 Principles and Practices of ECE | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 444 Introduction to Curriculum | 3 credit hours |
| Integrative Studies (General Education) Elective | 3 credit hours |
Education Technology (EdTech) - The Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Educational Technology (EdTech) examines the history, current practices, and future possibilities of 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.
To complete a Bachelor of Arts in Education with a concentration in Educational Technology (EdTech), students must complete the five (5) courses listed below—15 credit hours total.
| EDU 421 Foundations of Educational Technology | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 422 Best Practices in Educational Technology | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 423 Online Assessment and Evaluation | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 424 Adaptive Technology for Differentiated Instruction | 3 credit hours |
| EDU 425 Blended Learning and Teaching | 3 credit hours |
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 | 07/11/25 | Start: 9/01/25 | End: 10/26/25 |
| Session 2 | Start: 10/27/25 | End: 12/21/25 | ||
| SPRING | Session 3 | 11/14/25 | Start: 01/05/26 | End: 03/01/26 |
| Session 4 | Start: 03/02/26 | End: 04/26/26 | ||
| SUMMER | Session 5 | 03/13/26 | Start: 05/04/26 | End: 06/28/26 |
| Session 6 | Start: 06/29/26 | End: 08/23/26 |
