SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
A Degree for the Working Adult
This course of study is specifically intended for persons who currently teach or train others in the workplace, who design and teach competency workshops or seminars, who teach vocational or continuing education courses, or who teach skills-based subjects to adults. The following represent the range of professionals who have benefited from this program of study leading to a bachelor's degree.
- Law Enforcement Officers
- Fire Department Instructors
- Human Resources Program Managers and Trainers
- Health Occupation Instructors
- Adult Education/Community College Instructors
- Vocational Educators
- School to Work Special Education Teacher Aides
- Military Trainers
- Job Training Instructors
Note: If you have been working in any of these fields for at least 7 years, have assisted others with obtaining or maintaining employment skills and have earned 56 transferable units of coursework, you may qualify for this unique and selective program. Further this program can award a qualified participant up to 40 units of academic credit for their professional and teaching experience.
Thank you for your interest in the Bachelors in Vocational Education (BVE) degree program. The Bachelors in Vocational Education Degree is a unique program offered by the California State University (CSU) System. You should find the information in this pamphlet helpful, but please contact the BVE program advisor for further information or answers to specific questions.
The Bachelors in Vocational Education degree program was introduced by California State Senator Swan in 1946 in an effort to assist Vocational Teachers in attaining their bachelors degree without having to attend a full time academic program. The degree program awards upper division academic credit to qualified candidates for their professional and teaching experience. This degree is unique in the California State System as it is the only degree that will award credit for these life experiences. Besides the traditional Vocational Educator, the eligibility criteria for admittance into the program has been expanded to include Public Safety Personnel, Rehabilitation Service Providers, Military Instructors and Special Education Personnel involved in school to work transition. The degree is available at the San Diego State University Campus and is offered through the College of Extended Studies. This is a different format than the traditional semester, but it allows the university to present the coursework that is most accessible to the working adult student. This degree is recognized by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and qualified candidates who hold the BVE degree have been accepted to Graduate programs.
Steve Barnes, the Academic Coordinator for the program, will assist you with the university application process, coursework schedule, development of degree plan and advise you on general questions of status and official program. He is also available if you have questions regarding your career goals and options.
Steve Spencer
3590 Camino Del Rio North
San Diego, California 92108
619-594-0139
Email: steve.spencer@interwork.sdsu.edu
Minimal Qualifications for the degree program.
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Seven years of occupational experience.
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Approximately 1500 hours of teaching or training in an area that assists adults in obtaining or maintaining employment. (i.e. School to Work Transition, In-Service-Training, Military Instructor, Vocational Educator, Rehabilitation Practitioner, Public Service Academies).
- An Associates Degree or 56 transferable units to the CSU system.
NOTE: Please submit all documents to the SDSU BVE Advisor
for review and determination of specific selection/eligibility criteria.
