Transition Courses

At the Student Parent Center, we offer a variety of 2 unit courses designed to address key issues and topics to help student parents transition, transform their experience, and transcend to graduate school and/or professional employment after Cal.

Independent Students in Higher Education: Newly Admitted Students Parents

The goal of this course is to create a supportive learning community in which to master the unique challenges experienced by parents who are new to Cal and/or new parenting. The course is designed to offer timely information and shared strategies for balancing academic expectations with parenting realities. You will gain practical tools, tips and insights as you successfully navigate through your first semester. Course content is based on twenty years of student parent experiences and includes presentations, speakers, facilitated discussions and curative homework assignments (involving your children).

Course Details for Fall 2021 

2 Credit Course, Pass/No Pass

Course Facilitator: Tomie Lenear & Jason Straussman (SPC Program Coordinator & UHS Wellness Counselor), SPC Student Staff & Interns **

* Thursdays from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM In-Person (Remote instruction contingent on public health/safety guidelines)


ETH STD 198 sec. 011 -- Course Number: 21660


It Takes A Village Sections 

New and Expecting Parent Support

The goal of this course is to provide essential information and resources, and supportive learning community for new and expecting student parents at Berkeley. Throughout the semester the focus of the class will be geared towards balancing academia and being a new parent through avenues such as: academic planning, time management, stress reduction, as well as connecting students with campus and community resources.

Beyond Cal: Navigating the Transition into Graduate School or Professional Careers 

Beyond Cal: Transition to Graduate Studies & Professional Careers is a course designed to maximize student parent access to professional development opportunities, career planning resources, internships, scholarships, and research opportunities. In addition, student parents will gain support during their career and graduate school exploration process. Student assignments are based on individual learning goals and/or graduate school objectives.

Health and Wellness

Physical and mental health are essential in achieving academic success as student parents. Students will learn about information, resources, and strategies to help them achieve health and wellness during their time here at Cal. The course is designed with the health of the student in mind, and we offer exciting guest speakers, time for self-reflection, and the opportunity to participate in on-campus activities.

CalWORKS = CalGRADS

The purpose of this course is to empower, educate, and share strategies to navigate the complexities of the social services system and support each other in achieving academic and career goals. The course is designed to inform students of the program services, assist in qualifying and maintaining eligibility, and to explain proper submission of required documents. The course content is based on twenty years of student parent experiences and includes presentations, speakers, facilitated discussion and creative homework.