The ÉXITO undergraduate pipeline program is for highly motived students to earn a Bachelor of Arts in one of the Ethnic Studies departments or Feminist Studies within the College of Letters and Science at UCSB and apply to a Master’s Degree in Education and a Teaching Credential program.
What is the objective?
The object of this program is to train teachers of the highest caliber, with the skills to teach newly mandated Ethnic Studies courses and, in turn, contribute to fostering greater democratic participation and social relationships among the next generation.
Meet our undergraduates
Since 2021, ÉXITO has maintained cohorts of future educators. Learn what they have to share about participating in ÉXITO.
What is required?
Students who are Ethnic Studies (ASAM, BLST, CHST) and/or Feminist Studies (FEMST) majors.
ÉXITO offers 1- and 2-year timelines, which you can begin in the 2nd or 3rd year of your undergraduate studies.
Core Courses
ASAM/BLST/CHST/FEMST 101C - Teaching for Social Justice
4 Units
This interdisciplinary course will highlight how a curriculum focusing on racial, ethnic, gender, and LGBTQ studies is central to teaching and learning within diverse societal contexts. This grounding is essential for K-12 teachers in History and English/Literature. Through a social justice framework, students will learn how classrooms are enhanced by Ethnic and Feminist Studies, placing graduates within the forefront of educational initiatives that position teaching and learning within an inclusive and equitable paradigm. Offered in Spring quarter.
ASAM/BLST/CHST/FEMST 194 A-C - Ethnic Studies Teacher Education Seminar
2 Units/Quarter
This class is designed for students who are Black Studies, Chicana/o/x Studies, Asian American and/or Feminist Studies majors in the ÉXITO (Educational eXcellence and Inclusion Training Opportunities) program. Central to the year-long seminar will be preparations for students’ pursuit for a career as K-12 Ethnic Studies educators. Students will have direct assistance for preparing and applying to Masters/Teacher Education Programs as well as professionalization workshops.
Recommended Courses
ASAM 157 - Asian Americans and Education
4 units
A historical and sociological examination of the effects of race and power on Asian American educational experiences. The role of critical pedagogy in the creation of knowledge. The development and impact of ethnic studies and the model minority image.
BLST 15 - African American Psychology
4 Units
Examines manifestations of psychological characteristics of people of African decent, cultural and behavioral norms, and ways that race, class, gender and sexuality affect their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Connections between Africa, the Caribbean, and Afro-America are explored.
BLST 122 - The Education of Black Children
4 Units
Explores the effects of social, political, and economic forces on the history of Black education. Examines ways of challenging the impacts of race, class, gender, and language in the educational achievement of Black children. Focuses on anti-bias/multicultural curricula in urban settings. Fieldwork required.
CHST 132 - The History of Chicana/o Education
4 Units
A theoretical and empirical overview of Chicana/o educational issues in the United States. Special emphasis on analyzing the ways in which race, gender, class, and immigrant status affect Chicana/o educational attainment and achievement.
CHST 133 - Struggles for Equality in Chicana/o Education
4 Units
Investigates Chicana/o struggles for educational equality in the U.S. Presentations, discussions, written assignments analyze historical and contemporary examples of Chicana/o communities responding to and resisting subordination based on intersections of race with gender, class, language, immigrant status, and sexuality.
CHST 134 - Chicana/o Curricula K-12: Theory into Practice
4 Units
Addresses academic literature in bilingual and multicultural education in the context of hands-on experience in Chicana/o educational settings. Fieldwork encompasses students working as part of a research team in Santa Barbara area schools to link academic knowledge with K-12 practice.
CHST 135 - Critical Race Theory in Chicana/o Education
4 Units
Examines Critical Race Theory (CRT) as an emerging analytical framework in the field of education. Course investigates how a CRT framework might address and challenge the impacts of race, class, gender, language, immigrant status, accent, and sexual orientation on Chicana/o, Latina/o educational attainment and achievement.