Ethnic Studies Requirement for Credential Programs*

The CSUF College of Education admission requirements for the initial credential programs includes an Ethnic Studies course, which must be completed prior to beginning the program (Education Specialist, Multiple Subject and Single Subject programs). This requirement applies to all students seeking admission to these programs even if the student already holds a credential. Details regarding the requirement are provided below. Students currently completing a bachelor's degree at CSUF may meet with an advisor in the Center for Careers in Teaching to ensure the requirement is satisfied prior to graduation. 

Students who plan to begin a credential program must have taken one course from the list below, or complete an approved equivalent course at another institutionPDF File . 

Please note:

  • Completion of an Ethnic Studies major or minor from CSUF or an accredited institution satisfies the requirement.
  • Course must be completed with a grade of C- or better  (CR or P is also acceptable).
  • Course must have been taken no later than 10 years prior to entering the credential program.
  • *This requirement is separate from the CSUF General Education requirement (Area F). Please refer to the General Education information page for more details. If you are completing a bachelor's degree at CSUF, some of the approved courses below can also satisfy other General Education requirements. Please make an appointment with an Advisor in the CCT to select the course that best meets your needs.

Approved Cal State Fullerton Courses

Please note: if you are a current CSUF student completing a bachelor's degree, some courses also satisfy general education requirements as noted below.

  • AFAM/ASAM/CHIC/HIST 190-Survey of American History with Emphasis on Ethnic Minorities: satisfies CSUF GE Category D2
  • AFAM 103 - Critical Race Theory
  • AFAM 107 -  Introduction to African American Studies
  • AFAM 260 - Black Lives Matter Creative and Critical Ideas 
  • AFAM 335 - History of Racism: satisfies CSUF GE Category D4 & Overlay Z (for fall 2021 and later GE Category D3 & Overlay Z)
  • AFAM 361 -  Black Enviornmentalism
  • AFAM 463 - Black LGBT Experience
  • AFAM/ENGL 410 - Language and Power in African American Culture
  • ASAM 201 -The History of Asian Pacific Americans: satisfies CSUF GE Category D1 (if taken fall 2018 or later)
  • ASAM 300 - Intro to Asian Pacific American Studies: satisfies CSUF GE Category D4 & Overlay Z  (for fall 2021 and later GE Category D3 & Overlay Z)
  • ASAM 308 - Asian American Women: satisfies CSUF GE Category E & Overlay Z
  • ASAM 362A - Filipina/o American Expereinces: satisfies CSUF GE Category D3 & Overlay Z
  • ASAM 362B - Contemporary Issues in Filipino America
  • ASAM 364 - South Asian American Experiences: satisfies CSUF GE Category D3 & Overlay Z
  • ASAM 365 -  Vietnamese American Experience
  • ASAM 366 - Korean American Experience: satisfies CSUF GE Category D3 & Overlay Z
  • CHIC 106 - Introduction to Chicano Studies
  • CHIC 325 - Chicana and Chicano Education: satisfies CSUF GE Category D4 & Overlay Z  (for fall 2021 and later GE Category D3 & Overlay Z)
  • CHIC/READ 326 - Undocumented Youth in Education
  • CHIC 331 - The Chicano Child: satisfies CSUF GE Category D4 & Overlay Z  (for fall 2021 and later GE Category D3 & Overlay Z)
  • CHIC 332 - The Chicano Adolescent: satisfies CSUF GE Category D4 & Overlay Z  (for fall 2021 and beyond GE Category D3 & Overlay Z)
  • CHIC/READ 360 - Literacy Education for Social Change: satisfies CSUF GE Category D3 & Overlay Z (for fall 2021 and beyond)

How to Submit a Petition for Course Equivalency

If you have taken a course you believe to be similar to one of the courses listed above you may submit a petition for review. Course must include an exploration of people of color within and beyond the U.S., systems of power/oppression, and issues of race/racism or social justice.

If the course includes this content, please complete the Ethnic Studies Course Petition formPDF File and follow the instructions provided on the form to submit a course petition. Incomplete petitions will not be reviewed. 

Before submitting a petition, please note:

  • Course must be taken in an Ethnic Studies Department (African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicano/a Studies, etc.). Courses from other departments such as Anthropology, Comparative Literature, English, Music, etc., will not be considered.
  • Do not submit a petition for other CSUF courses. Only the courses listed above are approved if required is completed at CSUF.
  • A copy of the course syllabus must be included with the petition. Contact the department in which the course was completed to obtain a copy if needed.
  • Cultural appreciation courses (for example, Music of Mexico) do not meet this requirement.
  • Course must be completed with a grade of C- or better.
  • Course must have been taken no later than 10 years prior to entering the credential program.
  • Not all petitions submitted will be approved.