The Department of Education, Reading and Literacy serves a diverse community of learners by offering comprehensive instruction and curriculum in two distinct academic disciplines: Education (EDUC) and Reading (READ). The education (EDUC) curricula support students pursuing careers in K–12 teaching through robust teacher preparation pathways grounded in research-based practices and real-world application. The Reading and Literacy (READ) curricula are designed to strengthen students’ reading proficiency across a range of skill levels. They support the development of foundational and advanced reading strategies, including developmental reading, academic literacy, and critical thinking. These courses empower students to become more effective readers, thinkers, and communicators, enhancing students’ academic success and supporting lifelong learning. Through inclusive, evidence-based instruction, the department prepares students to become reflective educators, critical readers, and advocates for lifelong learning.
 

Education Curriculum

The Education (EDUC) curriculum provides foundational, interdisciplinary coursework designed for students interested in pursuing transfer pathways and careers in education. Courses emphasize instructional strategies, educational theory, and practical classroom experience, preparing students for success in upper-division programs and diverse educational settings. Students can follow structured transfer pathways, such as the Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) in Elementary Teacher Education: Integrated Programs or the Associate of Arts (AA) in Education, Society, and Human Development, which align with programs at the four-years. These degrees include fieldwork and observation components supported by partnerships with local K–12 school districts and formal agreements between colleges and universities, ensuring students receive both academic preparation and hands-on experience for careers in teaching, policy, advocacy, and other education-related fields.
 

Reading and Literacy Curriculum

The Reading and Literacy (READ) curriculum supports students in developing essential reading comprehension, critical thinking, and literacy skills applicable across academic disciplines. The program offers both developmental and college-level courses tailored to meet diverse student goals and learning needs. Through these courses, students strengthen foundational reading strategies while also engaging with more complex texts that promote analytical thinking and argument evaluation. By emphasizing reading as an active, critical process, the curriculum equips students with the skills needed to succeed academically and to interpret and respond thoughtfully to the demands of a complex society.

 

Memorandums of Understanding:

The San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) and UCR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU defines responsibilities and establishes a collaborative partnership to create a clear transfer pathway for students who complete the Associate of Arts degree in Education, Society, and Human Development (ESHD) at San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC). Then, transfer to UCR to complete the Bachelor of Arts degree in ESHD. This agreement supports SBVC and UCR’s shared goal of expanding access and equity in higher education, particularly for underrepresented students pursuing careers in education and related fields.
EDUC 200, Introduction to Elementary Education, and EDUC 201, Looking into Classrooms: Secondary Education, require students to complete K-12 classroom observation hours. The San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) and the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support this coursework requirement. This agreement outlines the responsibilities of both parties in providing structured classroom observation opportunities, allowing pre-service students enrolled in either course to be formally assigned to observe active teaching and learning in diverse classroom settings within the SBCUSD.

Degrees & Certificates

Click on a degree or certificate to learn more about the requirements, view program maps and more.

Credit for Prior Learning Opportunities

You may be able to earn credit for Education, Reading, & Literacy courses for skills and knowledge you gained outside of the classroom. Visit Credit for Prior Learning to learn more.

Education, Reading, and Literacy Courses

EDUC 100 3 Units
Introduction to Education Studies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: READ 100

This course provides an overview of the field of education, education theory, and learning inside and outside the classroom and introduces public policy and a critical perspective on the ideological and social construction of schools in the United States. It also includes interpretations of learning conditions through student observations and experiences in varied educational and learning contexts.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

EDUC 101 3 Units
Principles of Learning Strategies

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: READ 100

This course introduces attitudes and behaviors associated with successful learning and achievement and compares learning theories and research-based learning strategies to school, home, and multimedia regarding different types of learners and topic areas.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

EDUC 102 3 Units
Introduction to Education Policy

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: READ 100

This course provides an overview of how federal and state education policy and practice, assessment theories, teaching practices and methodologies can exert a positive impact on teaching and learning outcomes frameworks governing public education. It explores the political dynamics of policy-making with an emphasis on centralized policy-making authority and on efforts to reform and improve public schools. It also explores competing values guiding policy debates and dilemmas of centralized policy control.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

EDUC 103 3 Units
Education, Society, and Culture

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: READ 100

This course introduces the history and philosophy of public education in the United States, how and why certain school-society issues first arose in this country, and how those issues have changed over time with an emphasis on critical social justice-oriented theories and principles that actively address the dynamics of oppression and privilege within the context of education, society, and culture. This course examines society as the product of historically rooted, institutionally sanctioned stratification along socially constructed group lines, including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. It also includes a survey of the political economy, dominant ideologies, and existing educational practices that have precedents in various historical eras with an examination of the history of education of girls and women, People of Color, minority groups and people of varying socioeconomic classes.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

EDUC 200 3 Units
Introduction to Elementary Education

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

This course introduces students to the concepts and issues related to teaching diverse learners in contemporary public schools (K-12). Topics include historical and philosophical foundations of the American education system, education theory, multiculturalism, teaching as a profession and career, contemporary education issues, California Content Standards and framework, and teacher performance standards. In addition to class time, 45-hours of structured fieldwork are required at an approved public school elementary classroom with a certified classroom teacher and students that represent California's diverse population. Proof of a negative TB test and fingerprint clearance are required for classroom observations.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

C-ID: EDUC 200

EDUC 201 3 Units
Looking into Classrooms: Secondary Education

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: READ 100

This course has an emphasis on understanding the role of the secondary education teacher, instructional methods, curriculum as it relates to grade-level state standards, teacher preparation, educational theory, learning theory, teaching theory, cooperative relationships, and professional ethics of teaching. Students record and interpret their observations and compare them to published studies of classrooms. Designed for students interested in teaching middle school, grades 6-8, and high school, grades 9-12, including secondary education classrooms designated as Career Technical Education (CTE) and Special Education, this course involves classroom observations in local schools identified as having exemplary programs Proof of a negative TB test and fingerprint clearance are required for classroom observations.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

READ 015 4 Units
Preparation for College Reading

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Have you seen the movies IT or Doctor Sleep? They are based on Stephen King novels. How about The Hate U Give, Crazy Rich Asians, or Jurassic Park? These movies were also book-to-movie adaptations. If you re a fan of movies, read the books that inspired them! This course is designed to foster improvement in reading comprehension and vocabulary. Coursework includes reading texts from various genres and other assignments, while preparing students for college reading success across the disciplines. This course may also be offered for noncredit as READ 615.

Associate Degree Applicable

READ 100 3 Units
College Academic Reading

Lecture: 54 contact hours

This course is designed to improve reading and learning processes, reading comprehension, and critical thinking strategies as applied to all stages of academic reading. Emphasis will be on the integration and synthesis of academic text.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

READ 102 3 Units
Critical Reading as Critical Thinking

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: READ 100

This course explores the relationship of critical reading and critical thinking with an emphasis on the development of critical thinking skills and the application in the interpretation, analysis, criticism, and advocacy of ideas encountered in academic reading.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

READ 103 3 Units
Reading and Literacy for Lifelong Learning

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Departmental Recommendation: READ 100

This course focuses on providing students with reading and information literacy strategies for college completion and lifelong success. These skills include identifying, evaluating, and applying practical reading and learning techniques utilizing social, physical, and psychological resources and tools.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to CSU only

READ 104 3 Units
Critical Reading, Thinking and Literacy

Lecture: 54 contact hours

Prerequisite: ENGL C1000 or ENGL C1000H

This course explores the relationship between critical reading and literacy to critical thinking. Instruction in methods of critical reasoning, inquiry-driven research, argumentative writing, and the strategies necessary for college reading application in interpretation, analysis, criticism, and advocacy of ideas encountered in academic non-fiction texts across disciplines. Emphasis on texts which explore contemporary issues, including cultural diversity, equity, and anti-racism.

Associate Degree Applicable

Transfers to both UC/CSU

READ 615 Noncredit
Preparation for College Reading

Lecture: 72 contact hours

Have you seen the movies IT or Doctor Sleep? They are based on Stephen King novels. How about The Hate U Give, Crazy Rich Asians, or Jurassic Park? These movies were also book-to-movie adaptations. If you re a fan of movies, read the books that inspired them! This noncredit course is designed to foster improvement in reading comprehension and vocabulary. Coursework includes reading texts from various genres and other assignments, while preparing students for college reading success across the disciplines. This course may also be offered for credit, as READ 015.