Program Description
The Liberal Studies degree requires a broad-based liberal arts experience typically undertaken as preparation for future k-8 teachers and educational specialists. With the passing of California AB-130 in July, 2021, successful completion of a Liberal Studies degree allows graduates to meet the subject matter competence required to obtain a Multiple Subject or Educational Specialist Teaching Credential in the State of California, thus granting equivalence to the Multiple Subjects CSET Exam. In addition, six of the seven Liberal Studies pathways have been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as an Elementary Subject Matter (ESM) Preparation Program the recommended “gold standard” for providing undergraduates the subject matter and foundational knowledge of schooling and teaching beneficial for future success as a k-8 teacher or educational specialist. Because the Liberal Studies teacher preparation emphases prepare students for a state licensed credential, requirements may be changed by state mandate at any time.
CSUB Liberal Studies Program Philosophy and Learning Objectives
The Liberal Studies Program is based on a conception of a well-educated and culturally competent person, and focuses on significant ideas, modes of inquiry, structures, and values within its various disciplines. Coursework throughout the program emphasizes the study of broad concepts and principles that encompass and illuminate the areas of human learning and what it means to be an educator within a complex, diverse, and pluralistic democracy. Although the Liberal Studies program is not designed exclusively as academic preparation for students who plan to teach in the elementary schools, it fosters deep foundational knowledge of academic subjects taught in elementary schools: language arts, reading, mathematics, science, social studies, history, the visual and performing arts, and physical education. In addition, since educators in California serve developing young human beings from racial, ethnic, and linguistically diverse origins, students must have a deep knowledge of human development and an affirmative commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
Course List
Code |
Title |
Units |
1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
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1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
1 | 0 |
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ENGL 1109 | Writing and Research (1A) | 3 |
ENGL 3109 | Modes of Writing (GWAR) | 3 |
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ENGL 4400 | Children Literature for K-8 Teachers | 3 |
or THTR 3300 | Dramatic Literature and Performance for Youth |
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COMM 1008 | Strategies of Public Communication (1C) | 3 |
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ENGL 3620 | Language Structure Acquisition K-8 Teachers | 3 |
ENGL 3630 | Expository Reading/Writing K-8 Teachers | 3 |
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MATH 2120 | Number Systems and Algebraic Thinking for Preservice Elementary Teachers (GEM 2) | 5 |
MATH 3120 | Geometry, Probability, and Statistics for Preservice Elementary Teachers (GEM 5UD) | 5 |
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BIOL 1009 | Perspectives in Biology (5B) | 3 |
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SCI 1100 | Introduction to Chemistry for Liberal Studies (GEM 5A) | 2 |
SCI 1600 | Physics for Liberal Studies (GEM 5A) | 3 |
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GEOL 2310 | Introduction to Earth Science | 2 |
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BIOL 3310 | Integrated Life Science | 3 |
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HIST 1218 | Survey of US History to 1877 (AIAH) | 3 |
PLSI 1018 | American Government and Politics (AIGV) | 3 |
HIST 2100 | Introduction to California History | 3 |
HIST 1418 | World History, Pre-History to 1500 (3B) | 3 |
| |
LBST 3600 | Social Sciences in Elementary Schools (GEM 4) | 3 |
| |
| 3 |
| Critical Thinking (1B) | |
| Ethical Reasoning (1B) | |
| Critical Thinking and Contemporary Social Problem (1B) | |
ART 1009 | Practice and Appreciation of the Visual Arts (3A) | 3 |
MUS 3060 | Music in the Elementary Classroom (GEM 3UD) | 3 |
THTR 3310 | Dramatic Activity for Classroom (GEM 3UD) | 3 |
KINE 3340 | Child and Adolescent Physical Activity and Health | 3 |
CAFS 2000 | Fundamentals in Developmental Theory | 3 |
EDTE 3000 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
or EDSP 4800 | Early Field Experience in Diverse Classrooms |
EDTE 3308 | Socio-Cultural Foundations of Education (JYDR) | 3 |
or EDSP 3268 | People with Disabilities and American Education |
LBST 3300 | Educational Policy & Diversity | 3 |
LBST 4908 | Senior Seminar (Capstone) | 1 |
3 | |
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| |
| |
| |
Total Units | 120 |
Traditional Concentration (12 units)
This option is suited for students who do not wish to pursue a teaching credential during their baccalaureate years or who do not meet the 2.75 GPA requirement for IBEST or ISPED. They must complete the core curriculum and the following:
Minor or Sub-Concentration (12 units) A minor or concentration is required, selected from one of the following two options:
- A minor consisting of at least 12 semester units within a minor program designed by another discipline.
- A concentration developed with a Liberal Studies advisor.
English Subject Matter Equivalency Concentration (9 units)
This option is suited for students who will be pursuing a multiple subject teaching credential after graduation but would like to add an introductory subject matter authorization in English (allowing them to teach 6-9th grade English). Students completing the Subject Matter Authorization Program in English must complete the core curriculum and all of the following courses with a minimum grade of C-:
- ENGL 1208 Introduction to Literature
- Any 3 unit English Elective
- Any 3 unit English Elective
- Any 3 unit English Elective
Please see a Liberal Studies Advisor for selection of courses.
Math Subject Matter Equivalency Concentration (22 units)
This option is suited for students who will be pursuing a multiple subject teaching credential after graduation but would like to add an introductory subject matter authorization in Math (allowing them to teach 6-9th grade Math). Students completing the Subject Matter Authorization Program in Math must complete the core curriculum and all of the following courses with a minimum grade of C-:
Course List
Code |
Title |
Units |
MATH 1050 | Precalculus I (B4) | 4 |
MATH 1060 | Precalculus II (B4) | 4 |
MATH 1209 | Statistics in the Modern World (B4) | 3 |
MATH 1009 | Modern Math and Applications (B4) (or Additional Units in Math) | 3 |
| 4 |
| Single Variable Calculus I (B4) | |
| Calculus for the Biological and Chemical Sciences I (B4) | |
| 4 |
| Single Variable Calculus II (B4) | |
| Calculus for Biological & Chemical Sciences II (B4) | |
Total Units | 22 |
Please see a Liberal Studies Advisor for selection of courses.
Science Subject Matter Equivalency Concentration (21 units)
This option is suited for students who will be pursuing a multiple subject teaching credential after graduation but would like to add an introductory subject matter authorization in Science (allowing them to teach 6-9th grade English). Students completing the Subject Matter Authorization Program in Science must complete the core curriculum and all of the following courses with a minimum grade of C-:
Course List
Code |
Title |
Units |
CHEM 1000 | Foundations of Chemistry (B1) | 3 |
CHEM 1001 | Foundations of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| 3 |
| How the Earth Works (B1) | |
| Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Natural Disasters (B1) | |
| Introduction to Astronomy (B1) | |
PHYS 2110 | College Physics I (B1) | 4 |
| 3 |
| 3 |
Total Units | 18 |
Please see a Liberal Studies Advisor for selection of courses.