Declaring the Educational Sciences Major

UC Berkeley undergraduate students can apply for an Educational Sciences Major beginning May 20, 2024. Students can prepare for and take classes that count towards the major immediately. Students must be able to complete the major within 8 semesters (4 semesters for transfer students). One additional semester is granted to students who are completing a simultaneous degree.

Eligibility

Students from other colleges/schools at UC Berkeley may apply for an on-campus Change of College to the Berkeley School of Education (BSE) or may declare the Educational Sciences Major as a Simultaneous Degree after meeting the following criteria:

  • Completed at least one semester at UC Berkeley 

  • Have completed or are currently enrolled in 2 EDUC courses

  • An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher

Change of College

A Change of College is required for students who intend to declare the Educational Sciences Major as their sole major. If a student intends to have more than one major, please review the Simultaneous Degree requirements. Students must change colleges and declare the Educational Science Major at least one term before their expected graduation term (EGT). 

Petitioning for a Change of College:

1) Review degree requirements, and complete the following materials:

2) Submit your Change of College Materials through the Educational Sciences Change of Major Form for review. (Note: this link will go live Summer 2024)

Once approved, the Petition for Change of College will be signed by a BSE advisor and the student’s academic record will be updated.

Note: Expected Fall 2024 Graduates

  • Students with an EGT of Fall 2024 will be the first class eligible to declare the Educational science Major. Expected F24 graduates will need to submit their Change of College application no later than August 21, 2024. 

  • In order to declare and complete the major by Fall 2024, students must complete 9 courses that count towards the Education major by Spring 2024. Some exceptions may apply. Email bse-ugrad@berkeley.edu with more questions. 

Simultaneous Degree Requirements 

A simultaneous degree refers to the declaration of two majors in different colleges at UC Berkeley.

Simultaneous Degree petitions should be submitted at least two terms prior to graduation in order to meet residence requirements. Students may not declare a simultaneous degree in the semester they plan to graduate.  One additional semester is granted to students who are completing a simultaneous degree.

Note for Fall 2024 expected graduates: the senior residence  requirement is waived for students graduating in Fall 2024. Fall 2024 expected graduates must submit their simultaneous degree petition by August 21, 2024. 

Eligibility:

  • Have completed at least one semester at UC Berkeley 

  • Completed or currently enrolled in 2 EDUC courses

  • An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher

  • Approval from Undergraduate Major advisors in each department

  • No more than two upper division courses overlapping between majors (meaning, no more than two upper division courses can count for both majors)

  • Completed petitions must include a program plan that demonstrates that you will be able to finish all degree requirements for both majors and colleges within nine semesters if you started as freshmen, or five semesters if you started as a junior transfer (counting enrollments in all institutions attended) or by the end of the semester in which you exceed 136 units. 

How to Apply

Review degree requirements, and complete the following materials:

  • Download the Simultaneous Degree Petition and obtain the appropriate signatures from your Home College. 

  • Fill out the Educational Sciences Major Program Planning Form (Major planning form)

  • Personal Statement - 500 words max

    • Why are you interested in this major? 

    • What experiences have shaped your interest in education?

    • What are your goals or aspirations with an education degree?

  • Submit your Change of College Materials through the Educational Sciences Change of Major Form for review. (Note: this link will go live Summer 2024)

Senior Residence 

NOTE: The BSE residence requirement is waived for students with an EGT of Summer 2024 or Fall 2024. During these two terms, students in the Berkeley School of Education may satisfy their senior residence in the College of Letters and Science, any other College, or a combination.

Students must have 2 terms of residence at the Berkeley School of Education to graduate. Summer Sessions can be counted as one of the terms with a minimum of 6 units passed, if the student is enrolled in the BSE.

Semesters Allowed

  • Students who entered UC Berkeley as a freshman have eight semesters to complete the Educational Sciences degree.

  • Students who entered as a transfer student have four semesters to complete the Educational Sciences degree.

  • Semesters are defined as Fall and Spring terms. Summer Sessions do not count towards semester limits. 

  • One additional semester is granted to students who are completing a simultaneous degree. The petition for extension must be signed by both major advisors.