Liberal Studies, B.A.

The Liberal Studies, B.A. has a core set of courses that focus on 21st century teaching approaches and emphasize the traditional disciplines taught in elementary schools. All students start out in one of the non-integrated concentrations and may be admitted to the integrated credential concentration in their junior or senior year if they meet all admission requirements. The Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) is a combined 4-year bachelor’s degree and credential program for students pursuing a teaching credential. It allows students to receive their bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, as well as their preliminary credential. Because the Liberal Studies teacher preparation emphases prepare students for a state licensed credential, requirements may be changed by state mandate at any time.

The Child Development/ Elementary Education Concentration (120 total units) is designed for students who wish to become elementary school teachers in grades K-6. Students take courses in traditional disciplines taught in elementary schools alongside courses focusing on developmental characteristics of children.
Child Development/ Elementary Education (ITEP) Concentration (134 total units) allows undergraduate students to earn a bachelor’s degree, and to be recommended for a preliminary Special Education (i.e. Education Specialist) credential in four years.
The Elementary Education Concentration (120 total units) The Elementary Education Concentration (120 total units) prepares students to work in a variety of careers within the field of education or enter a post-baccalaureate credential program. Student interest and career goals are central to selection of their individually designed depth of study coursework..
The Elementary Education (ITEP) Concentration (125 total units) allows undergraduate students to earn a bachelor’s degree, and to be recommended for a preliminary Multiple Subject Credential in four years.

For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below for the major, please see “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements ”.

Requirements for the Major

“The Liberal Studies core includes courses which are approved to satisfy all General Education (with upper division GE area D met by major), American Institutions, and Diversity and Common Grounds . Students must pass all courses for the major with a letter grade of C- or better. An overall GPA of 2.67 or above is required for admission to either of the ITEP concentrations.

Liberal Studies Core (63 Units)

BIOL 104 - General Biology Units: 3
CD 209 - Middle Childhood Development Units: 3
COMM 100 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication Units: 3
COMM 103 - Critical Listening & Thinking Units: 3
ENGL 104 - Accelerated Composition & Rhetoric Units: 3
ENGL 105 - Literature, Media & Culture Units: 3
ES 105 - Introduction to US Ethnic Studies Units: 3
or
ES 106 - Introduction to Black Studies Units: 3
or
ES 107 - Chican@/Latin@ Lives Units: 3
GEOL 109 - General Geology Units: 4
HIST 104 - Western Civilization to 1650 Units: 3
HIST 110 - United States History to 1877 Units: 3
MATH 103 - Mathematics as a Liberal Art Units: 3
or
MATH 103I - Mathematics as a Liberal Art with Integrated Support Units: 3 and
MATH 3 - Support for Mathematics as a Liberal Art Units: 1
MUS 204 - Music in the K-8 Classroom Units: 3
PSCI 110 - American Government Units: 3
TA 105 - Acting 1: Principles of Performance Units: 3
ART 307 - Arts Integration in the Elementary Classroom Units: 3
CD 310 - Perspectives: History & Theory Units: 3
KINS 313 - Concepts of Teaching Dance Units: 2
LSEE 308 - Algebra, Geometry, & Data in the Elementary Classroom Units: 3
LSEE 313 - Science for Elementary Education Units: 3
LSEE 317 - Number Sense & Operations in Elementary School Math Units: 3
LSEE 475 - Health & Physical Education Units: 3

Concentrations

Complete one of the following concentrations.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will have:

demonstrated an ability to work effectively with diverse students, parents, colleagues, staff, and others in the community;
developed and maintain safe, positive, and productive educational environments;
used research-based practice to inform their work;
demonstrated a coherent theoretical framework of learning and human development that supports reflection on their practice;
collaborated on efforts to improve education opportunities for all students

Programs Leading to Licensure & Credentialing

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., social security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements are available from the Office of Academic Affairs, Siemens Hall 216, 707-826-3722.

The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states’ educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students enrolled in a California State University program who are planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether they will meet their state’s requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).