If your goal is to positively impact the lives of children, share your love of learning, and/or contribute to beneficial social change through education, Liberal Studies will provide you with an opportunity to gain the knowledge, skills and perspectives you will need to succeed.

With a Liberal Studies B.A., you will have a solid foundation for entry into a credential program or other graduate study. Our outcomes-based, multidisciplinary major integrates the arts and humanities, natural and social sciences, and service learning. We emphasize breadth across a variety of disciplines with a subject area emphasis in at least one academic discipline.

There are two pathways within the Liberal Studies major: the Integrated Teacher Education Program (iTEP) pathway and the traditional pathway. The Liberal Studies integrated pathway allows you to complete the Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential and begin working in the field sooner.

The Liberal Studies Department expects that most students will choose to opt into the integrated pathway to most efficiently meet the requirements for a Multiple Subject teaching credential.

To learn more about the major, visit the Liberal Studies website.

Required Courses

Special Requirements

AA-T-certified students in elementary education can earn a Liberal Studies B.A. by completing the special requirements found on the the Requirements for AA-T Certified Students in Elementary Education page.

If you are unsure about your transfer status, please talk to a Liberal Studies advisor as soon as possible.

All other Liberal Studies majors, see below.

Standard Requirements

> In order to graduate, you will also need to complete your general education and university requirements.

Complete ALL of the following core courses:

Complete ALL of the following courses in Content Area 1 (Reading, Language, Literature, History, and Social Science):

Complete ALL of the following courses in Content Area 2 (Math and Science):

Complete ALL of the following courses in Content Area 3
(Physical Education, Human Development, Visual and Performing Arts):

Complete one MINOR or EMPHASIS. Minor options include:

Emphasis option 1: History

Complete 12 units from the following list:

Emphasis option 2: Literature

Complete 12 units from the following list:

Emphasis option 3: Physical Education

Complete 12 units from the following courses:

Emphasis option 4: Science

Complete 12 units from the following list:

Emphasis option 5: Social Science

Complete 12 units from the following list:

Emphasis option 6: Visual & Performing Arts

Complete TWO or more courses from the following list:

Complete ONE or more courses from the following list (4 unit minimum):

Pathway Options

To complete the requirements of the Liberal Studies degree, students select either the Integration Teacher Education pathway (ITEP), or the traditional pathway.

Integrated Teacher Education Program (iTEP) Pathway

Complete the following Stage 1 Multiple Subject Credential courses during the second semester of the senior year:

Traditional Pathway

Complete the following ADVANCED INQUIRY IN EDUCATION courses:

Learning Outcomes

MLO 1: Developing Educator

Students think, write, and speak critically about the general knowledge, skills, dispositions, and responsibilities of a California public educator in classroom, school, community, State, and National contexts. Students acquire introductory pedagogical skills and apply perspectives of the Educational Foundations to their developing professional practices.

MLO 2: Diversity and Multicultural Scholar

Students evaluate their own and others' experiences as influenced by social identities, socialization practices, and societal institutions from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Students critically examine the value of diversity and multiculturalism. Students inform their educational practices and perspectives by applying concepts and theories of diversity and multiculturalism.

MLO 3: Innovative Technology Practitioner

Students use technologies effectively for investigation, expression, design, and collaboration. Students reflect on the role of technologies for innovative teaching and learning, and effective instruction.

MLO 4: Social Justice Collaborator

Students combine disciplinary knowledge, community experience, and reflective practice to become ethically and socially responsible educators working toward a just and sustainable world. Students identify and pursue paths for social change. Students collaborate with stakeholders to advocate for access, equity, and justice in public education and other societal institutions.

MLO 5: Subject Matter Generalist

Students demonstrate competency in subject area content and complete a coherent depth of study for successful practice in California public education.

Course Pathways

These pathways are examples of how you might complete all the requirements for your degree in an order that makes sense given prerequisites. They are meant to give you a general sense of what your education will look like.

Your own unique situation and a number of other factors may mean your actual pathway is different. Perhaps you'll need an extra math or language class, or one of the courses listed here isn't offered in a particular semester. There is flexibility built into the curriculum. You'll want to work closely with an advisor and use the academic advisement report to take all that into account and develop a pathway that's customized for you.

In the meantime, use the applicable example below as a starting point for choosing classes or discussing your plans with an advisor. Your advisor is your best resource when it comes to figuring out how to fit all the courses you need, in the right sequence, into your personal academic plan.

iTEP Freshman Pathway

An exciting facet of the Integrated Teacher Education Program (iTEP) pathway is that students complete a minimum of 12 units of Multiple Subject Credential coursework in the last semester of their senior year.

Students will need to consult with their advisor to discuss the appropriate courses for Stage 1 of their credential coursework. Upon successful completion of Stage 1 requirements, your B.A. degree is conferred and you are then classified as a postbaccalaureate student and can begin fulfilling your Stage 2 requirements.

For additional information, please check the Advising Information page of the Liberal Studies Department website.

Fall Freshman

In order to minimize your time to degree, an Area E FYS course is strongly recommended.

Course: Any Approved Course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Language 102
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C3
  • Language Proficiency

* This FYS class is just an example. The FYS class you choose might meet a different GE area, so you would have to adjust your actual pathway accordingly.

Spring Freshman

Course: Any Approved Course
Units: 4
Requirements:
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Language 201
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Language Proficiency
Units: 6
Requirements:
  • D3
  • Major

Fall Sophomore

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • B2
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C1
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D1
  • Major

Spring Sophomore

Complete the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Writing Skills test before the end of this semester.

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • B1
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • D1
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C2
  • Major

Fall Junior

Complete the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects test by the end of this semester.

iTEP Pathway students begin approved emphasis (History or Literature). In order to minimize time to degree, it is recommended you take the following specified course pertaining to your selected emphasis: History Emphasis = SBS 385; LIT Emphasis = LS 394: Multi Lit Chld & Yng Adults and LS 394S: Mlti Lit Child & Yng Adults.

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • A4
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D2
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 1
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Junior

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 2
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Fall Senior

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 3
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Senior (multiple subject stage 1)

Students on the iTEP pathway are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of Multiple Subject Stage 1 Credential coursework in the last semester of their senior year.

Units: 8
Requirements:
Units: 1
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 1
Requirements:

Post Baccalaureate Semester (multiple subject stage 2)

In order to complete the Multiple Subjects Credential, students are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of Stage 2 Credential coursework in one additional semester following their senior year.

Units: 7
Requirements:
Units: 2
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:

iTEP Transfer Pathway

An exciting facet of the iTEP pathway is that students complete a minimum of 12 units of Multiple Subject Credential coursework in the last semester of their senior year.

Students will need to consult with their advisor to discuss the appropriate courses for Stage 1 of their credential coursework. Upon successful completion of Stage 1 requirements, your B.A. degree is conferred and you are then classified as a postbaccalaureate student and can begin fulfilling your Stage 2 requirements.

For additional information, please check the Advising Information page of the Liberal Studies Department website.

Fall Junior

Complete the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Writing Skills Test before the end of this semester.

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • A4
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D2
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Junior

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 1
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Fall Senior

Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 2
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 3
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Senior

Students on the iTEP pathway are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of Stage 1 Multiple Subject Credential coursework in the last semester of their senior year.

Units: 8
Requirements:
Units: 1
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 1
Requirements:

Post Baccalaureate Semester (multiple subject stage 2)

In order to complete the Multiple Subjects Credential, students are required to complete a minimum of 12 units of Stage 2 Credential coursework in one additional semester following their senior year.

Units: 7
Requirements:
Units: 2
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:
Units: 3
Requirements:

Traditional Freshman Pathway

Fall Freshman

In order to minimize your time to degree, an Area E FYS course is strongly recommended.

Course: Language 102
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C3
  • Language Proficiency
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Any Approved Course
Units: 4
Requirements:

* This FYS class is just an example. The FYS class you choose might meet a different GE area, so you would have to adjust your actual pathway accordingly.

Spring Freshman

Units: 6
Requirements:
  • D3
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
Course: Language 201
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Language Proficiency
Course: Any Approved Course
Units: 4
Requirements:

Fall Sophomore

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D1
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • B2
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C1
  • Major

Spring Sophomore

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • B1
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • D1
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • C2
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major

Fall Junior

Complete the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Writing Skills Test before the end of this semester.

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • A4
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D2
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Advanced Inquiry in Education Course 1: LS 380: Teaching for Social Change
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Junior

Complete the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects test by the end of this semester.

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/ Minor Course 1
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major

Fall Senior

Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 2
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Elective Course
Units: 3
Requirements:

Spring Senior

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/Minor Course 3
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Traditional Transfer Pathway

Fall Junior

Complete the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) Writing Skills Test before the end of this semester.

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • A4
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • D2
  • Major
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Junior

Complete the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects test by the end of this semester.

Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/ Minor Course 1
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major

Fall Senior

Course: Advanced Inquiry in Education Course 1: LS 380: Teaching for Social Change
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/ Minor Course 2
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major

Spring Senior

Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Course: Emphasis/Minor course 3
Units: 4
Requirements:
  • Major
Units: 3
Requirements:
  • Major