Total credits: 122-129 (depending on pathway)
Upper-division credits: 61-69 (depending on pathway)
Minimum credits in residence at CSUMB: 30 (24 upper-division)
Minimum credits in the major: 24 (12 upper-division)
Pathways in the Liberal Studies Major
There are two pathways within the Liberal Studies major: the Liberal Studies Multiple Subjects Integrated Credential Program pathway and the Traditional pathway. Students are assumed to be on the Liberal Studies Multiple Subjects Integrated Credential Program pathway unless they opt out of this pathway or are unable to fulfill the requirements. Students on the LS Integrated Credential Program pathway complete a minimum of 12 units of credential courses (Stage 1 of Credential Program) in the last semester of their senior year. Stage 2 of the Credential Program is completed in the post baccalaureate semester. Consequently, students have the potential to complete their credential coursework a semester earlier than those on the Traditional pathway.
You officially begin the major by enrolling in LS 300: Major ProSeminar where you work with the instructor and the Liberal Studies Advising coordinator to create or revise your Individual Learning Plan (ILP). At this time, you will decide whether or not to opt out of the LS Integrated Credential Program pathway. Your ILP will reflect your chosen pathway, and will map out the courses you need to take in order to achieve each of the Major Learning Outcomes designated below. You conclude the major by completing your Capstone, a publicly presented project that displays your cumulative learning in the major. [Learn more at CSUMB.EDU/capstone].
Required Tests for Future Teachers
To enter a Multiple Subjects (Elementary School) Teacher Education Credential Program, students must provide evidence of having passed the California Subject Examination for Teachers-Multiple Subjects (CSET). Many students take this test at the end of their junior year, but a better strategy would be to take the subsections as you finish the related courework. The CSET is used to demonstrate competency in the subject areas completed as part of the Liberal Studies major and taught in K-8 curricula, namely:
- mathematics
- English writing
- reading and literature
- history and social science
- visual and performing arts
- science
- physical education and development
- human development
- linguistics
- cultural diversity
More information can be obtained from the cset.nesinc.com website. As of May 19, 2007, candidates who pass all three subtests of the CSET Multiple Subjects AND the new CSET Writing Skills are considered proficient in reading, writing and mathematics and will not be required to take the formerly-required CBEST to earn a teaching credential.
Lower Division Major Learning Outcomes
California subject matter competency and CSU guidelines specify certain content that exceeds the usual GE requirements. These requirements are noted below as Lower Division Major Learning Outcomes (LD MLO) and are required by all Liberal Studies majors. Lower division MLOs are labeled as "LD MLO."