Education
and Social
Transformation

This major is concerned with the relationship between education and the transformation of important social structures, processes and outcomes. The goals of the major are inspired by recognition that education in its many forms is integral to social life. It provides a pathway not only for personal and professional advancement, but also serves as a forum through which individual and collective ideals, values, and aspirations come to be negotiated, defined, and enacted. The major is guided by a set of core principles and values including diversity, pluralism, equity of opportunity for all students, and social justice. 

Through their enrollment in this major, students develop the ability to analyze education – as a process, as a practice, as an institution – in social, cultural, and historical context.  The major seeks to prepare students for a transformative role in the broad field of education, including but not limited to educational administration, teaching, advocacy, research, and policymaking. Graduates can pursue careers in educational organizations, governmental agencies, providers of educational services, research firms, social work, and community organizations, as well as pursue further education, among other pathways. 

Engaging in this work requires a set of understandings, abilities, and skills. Students will demonstrate:

1. An understanding of the multiple facets of the educational landscape in social, cultural, and historical contexts. This includes an understanding of the impact of these contexts on educational ideals, practices, and institutions, as well as on society as a whole.
2. An understanding of the science of human development and learning in educational settings.  This includes the essential role of curricular contents and of instructional methods that support learning.  
3. The ability to interpret social data and research and to critically evaluate research studies. This includes an ability to recognize sound research design, and comprehend and apply empirical and analytical research traditions and tools (qualitative, quantitative, and multi-disciplinary), and articulate the ethical dimensions of inquiry. 
4. The ability to engage respectfully with community partners to build meaningful, reciprocal relationships in ways that learn from and contribute to positively impacting educational opportunities and outcomes for diverse communities in the greater Los Angeles area and beyond. 
5. The ability to imagine, design, and implement solutions to specific problems in education in local, national, and international settings. This includes communication skills required in knowledge-intensive work settings, and in engaging with multiple audiences (e.g. practitioners, policymakers, and the broader public). 

Students interested in pursuing the major in Education and Social Transformation must complete the required lower- and upper-division courses. The major includes 10 lower-division units and 40 upper-division units (approximately 10-11 upper-division courses). As an Education and Social Transformation major student, you must follow the program of study provided at the time of admission.  

Core Lower-Division Courses

Lower Division Preparation for the Major 
Required: 2 Courses for 10 lower-division units distributed as follows: 

1. EDUC 10: Introduction to Educational Issues and Scholarship OR  EDUC 11: Education, Equality, and Future of American Society: Problems, Prospects, and Policies 

2. EDUC 35: Introduction to Inquiry and Research in Education 

All courses must be taken for a letter grade and passed with a letter grade of “C” or better. 

Upper Division Major Requirements

Required: 10-11 upper-division courses for a minimum of 40 units distributed as follows: 

1. Seven (7) Courses for the Areas of Competency 
   • Two (2) Courses for Histories and Philosophies of Education 
     • EDUC 100: Foundations: Histories and Philosophies of Education  
     • One (1) course from EDUC 101-119 
   • Two (2) Courses for Contexts of Teaching, Learning, and Development  
     • EDUC 120: Foundations: Contexts for Teaching, Learning, and Development 
     • One (1) course from EDUC 121-149 
   • Three (3) Courses for Inquiry and Design
     • EDUC 150: Quantitative Research in Education: Claims and Evidence 
     • EDUC 156: Introduction to Qualitative Research in Education for Social Transformation 
     • One (1) Course from EDUC 151-155 or EDUC 157-169 

2. At least one (1) additional course in Education, which may come from any of the Areas of Competency or from courses designated as “Elective.” (Community Engagement & Social Change 130, Education 170 through 179) 

3. Education 180: Orientation to Community Engagement  
   • Education 180 must be completed prior to taking a Community Engagement Course. 

4. One (1) Community Engagement Course selected from Education M129XP, 130AX, 130BX, 130CX, M131A, M131B, M131C, M142, M144XP, 159, 171, 176, 195, 195CE, or 196XP (some of these courses may also be applied toward an area of competency).  
   • Students must complete Education 180 prior to taking a community engagement course.  
   • Courses on the approved list that are taken concurrently with or prior to completing EDUC 180 will not satisfy this requirement. 

5. Education 181: Capstone in Education and Social Transformation
   • Students must complete six of the seven courses from the Areas of Competency and complete the community engagement course requirement before enrolling in the capstone course. The six courses from the areas of competency must include EDUC 100, EDUC 120, EDUC 150, EDUC 156. 

Other Major Requirements

• All courses must be taken for a letter grade. 
• All courses must be at least 4 quarter units. 
• A minimum of 40 upper division units must be completed for the major. 
• The major upper division requirements must be completed with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher. 
• Courses may not be repeated for additional credit. 
• A maximum of 8 units of contract courses (195-199) may be applied to the major. 

Major Requirements Checklist

Download the Education and Social Transformation Major Checklist to monitor and track your progress in the major.

Education and Social Transformation Major Checklist

Education and Social Transformation Major Checklist (Pre-Fall 2024 Admits)

Approved Course List

The Education and Social Transformation major Course List is a comprehensive list of all the courses that have been approved to satisfy requirements for the Education and Social Transformation major. If the course is not on the list, then it will not satisfy a major requirement. Please note that not all Education courses have been approved to satisfy major requirements.

Education and Social Transformation Major Course List

Education and Social Transformation Major Course List (Pre-Fall 2024 Admits)

Substitutions

Students may submit a petition to apply a course that is not on the approved list toward the major requirements. The request will be reviewed by the faculty committee to determine if the course will be acceptable. 

Please note that these petitions are not guaranteed approval and may be denied. A maximum of two course substitutions may be approved for the upper-division requirements for the major.  

For more information about the petition process, please reach out to a SE&IS Undergraduate Advisor/Counselor. 

Tentative Course Schedule

The Tentative Course Schedule is compiles the projected course offering by the Department of Education for the upcoming academic year. The final list of course offerings for the term are officially published on the schedule of classes on the Registrar’s Office website 1-2 weeks before enrollment begins for the term.

View the Tentative Course Schedule for 2024-2025

View the Tentative Course Schedule for 2023-2024

• The course offerings, meeting times, and locations are subject to change by the department without notice. Please refer to the schedule of classes on the Registrar’s Office website for the most up-to-date information about a course.
• Final course offerings for a given term are confirmed when the schedule of classes is officially released via the Registrar’s Office website.
• Use the Education and Social Transformation Major Course List to determine which courses will count towards the program. 

Education Course Descriptions

The course descriptions for Education courses can be found on the Registrar’s Office website.
Education Course Descriptions 

Course Renumbering

The Department of Education renumbered many of its courses in 2021 and may renumber courses again as new courses are created. Renumbered courses may not be repeated for additional credit and students are responsible for ensuring that they do not repeat courses that they have already earned credit for. The list of courses that have been renumbered can be found at the link below.
List of Renumbered Courses

If you have additional questions about the course renumbering and/or your progress in the major, please reach out to a SE&IS Undergraduate Advisor/Counselor.