Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

120 Semester Credits / 10 Semesters / 40 Months

Delivery Mode: Online (Online Hybrid, California Credentialing Track)

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies degree provides students with the basic understanding and skills to prepare them for careers or professions requiring knowledge based on the arts and humanities.  The curriculum of Liberal Studies involves more than one discipline, fostering the understanding of people, nations, institutions, history, arts, sciences, and how these influenced the development of society and cultures.  The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies has 2 tracks: 1. Multiple Subject Credential Preparation track for students in California interested in teaching at the TK-6 level.  2. General track for students interested in exploring a variety of topics, transfer students, or students outside of California.

The College of Education offers the following Teacher Credentialing track approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC):

  • 2042 Multiple Subject Preliminary Credential

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Utilize critical thinking and effective communication to analyze and disseminate information.
  2. Explain human cultural, historical and social experience and relatedness to society today.
  3. Examine the interconnectedness of various disciplines to create new approaches to challenges.
  4. Apply technology and information literacy to research.
  5. Apply quantitative analysis to address complex challenges.
  6. Analyze ethical choices in difficult and conflicting situations.

Additional Program Learning Outcomes- Multiple Subject Credential Track

By the end of the Teacher Credentialing Preparation Program candidates will learn, apply and reflect on the following Teacher Performance Expectations (TPEs):

TPE 1: Engaging and supporting all students in learning

TPE 2: Creating and maintain effective environments for student learning

TPE 3: Understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning

TPE 4: Planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students.

TPE 5: Assessing student learning

TPE 6: Developing as a professional educator

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CREDENTIAL PROGRAM CANDIDATES

All credential candidates must provide evidence of passing the CBEST (California Basic Educational Skills Test) before or during the term in which they reach junior status and provide Certificate of Clearance (fingerprint clearance).

To stay on schedule for graduation and to be recommended as a candidate to the CTC students seeking a credential pathway must show proof of attempting or passing the California Subjects Examination Test (CSET) prior to beginning any EDU coursework.  It is highly recommended that candidates take this exam as early in the program as possible. 

Student Teaching Requirements

  • Completed and passed the CSET for the credential being sought.
  • CPR Certification
  • Required observation hours completed
  • Complete 600 hours of full-time student teaching in an approved classroom(s) over 2 eight-week sessions regardless of holidays or vacation days
  • Students are advised not to work during their student teaching experience as it is a full-time commitment requiring 40 plus hours each week
  • Substitute teaching and non-sequential or unapproved placements may not be counted towards the 600 hours of required practicum
  • Students may be required to travel to distant school sites as assigned- specific school schedule requests or school sites may or may not be accommodated
  • In order to progress to the second student teaching session (EDU563) a minimum of 1 CalTPA task must be completed

All student teaching must be completed in a California classroom. 

Program Completion Requirements

  • Complete program with a Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher
  • Passed CalTPA Tasks*
  • Passed the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
  • Complete a Professional Teaching Portfolio
  • Exit Interview
  • Exit Survey

*Preliminary Teacher Credential Candidates are required to successfully complete two (2) CalTPA Instructional Cycles as part of their summative assessment for teacher credentialing as defined in Standard 17 of the 2042 credential document.

Teacher Credentialing and Licensure

Per the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) all students must meet the specific requirements in effect at the time of candidate application for credential.  While the United States University program prepares California teacher candidates it does not guarantee teacher licensure. All credential candidates are encouraged to check the commission requirement page on a regular basis as requirements may change. https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl560c.pdf?sfvrsn=8db75dfc_16

In order to be recommended to the California Teaching Commission for a Multiple Subject credential candidates must complete the following requirements:

  1. Complete a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally-accredited college or university
  2. Satisfy the basic skills requirement (Passage of the CBEST exam)
  3. Achieve a passing score on required subject matter exams (CSET).
  4. Pass the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA).
  5. Complete a course in the provisions and principles of the US Constitution.
  6. Complete a Commission-approved multiple subject teacher preparation program
  7. Obtain a formal recommendation for the credential by the program sponsor.

Curriculum Requirements - Multiple Subject Credential

Core Requirements

EDU205Health Nutrition, and PE for Teachers

3

EDU501Affirming and Valuing Diversity in the Classroom

3

EDU503Foundations of Education

3

EDU504Introduction to Special Education

3

EDU510Introduction to Classroom Instruction

3

EDU525English Language Developmental Strategies for English Language Learners

3

HIS320California History

3

MAT221Math for Elementary Teachers I

3

MAT222Math for Elementary Teachers II

3

MAT223Algebra and Geometry for Teachers

3

PSY285Child Development

3

SCI222Science for Elementary Teachers

3

 

Elective Requirements

Students are required to take 15 credits of electives selected from the list below.

AST101Astronomy

3

AST101LAstronomy Lab

1

BIO150LGeneral Biology Lab

1

BUS101Introduction to Business

3

BUS110Data Analysis and Communication Tools

3

BUS220Introduction to Business Law

3

BUS331Business Ethics

3

CHM102Principles of Chemistry

3

CHM102LPrinciples of Chemistry Lab

1

CIS101IT Fundamentals

3

CNT100Fundamentals of Networking

3

FIN310Introduction to Finance

3

HCA101Healthcare Delivery in the United States

3

HCA201Terminologies and Classification Systems

3

HED300Introduction to Health Education

3

HRM210Introduction to Human Resource Management

3

HSC101Health and Society

3

HSC105Cultural Competence in Healthcare

3

HSC215Survey of Public Health Biology

3

MGT321Organizational Behavior and Management

3

MGT332Introduction to Project Management

3

MGT334Organizational and Business Communication

3

MGT410Leading Organizations

3

MGT441Negotiation and Conflict in Management

3

MGT442Leading Diverse and Dispersed Teams

3

MKT210Principles of Marketing

3

PHI105Introduction to Ethics

3

Multiple Subject Requirements

Multiple Subject Requirements- CSET Passage, TB clearance, Fingerprint Clearance and CPR certificate required prior to enrollment.

EDU534Curriculum and Instruction I

3

EDU535Curriculum and Instruction II

3

EDU536Language Arts and Reading K-6

3

EDU561Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) I

5

EDU562Directed Student Teaching Seminar I

1

EDU563Student Teaching (Clinical Practice) II

5

EDU564Directed Student Teaching Seminar II

1

 

Curriculum Requirements - General

Students may elect to complete a Bachelor of Arts Liberal Studies degree if they are not interested in teaching at the TK-6 level or do not reside in California.   Liberal Studies is a multidisciplinary major that provides flexibility for students to select a wide range of elective courses that meet their areas of interest as well as provide exposure to many disciplines.  Students who plan to attend graduate school as well as those that are interested in a career in a wide range of sectors may benefit from a liberal studies degree.  Skills developed throughout the program include those most valued by employer; problem solving and teamwork, oral and written communication skills, information literacy and creativity, quantitative reasoning and an understanding of cultures and societies.

Core Requirements

COM204Argumentation

3

ENG306Survey of American Literature

3

ENG307Survey of World Classics

3

ENG310Advanced Composition

3

HED201Human Nutrition

3

HIS321World History I

3

HIS322World History II

3

LIB499Liberal Studies Capstone

3

LIN478Linguistics

3

POS399Special Topics in Political Science and International Relations

3

SOC101Introduction to Sociology

3

SSC499Senior Seminar: Social Sciences

3

NOTE: LIB499 is non-transferable course and must be taken last session.

Elective Requirements

Students are required to take 39 credits of electives selected from the list below.

AST101Astronomy

3

AST101LAstronomy Lab

1

BIO150LGeneral Biology Lab

1

BUS101Introduction to Business

3

BUS110Data Analysis and Communication Tools

3

BUS220Introduction to Business Law

3

BUS331Business Ethics

3

CHM102Principles of Chemistry

3

CHM102LPrinciples of Chemistry Lab

1

CIS101IT Fundamentals

3

CNT100Fundamentals of Networking

3

FIN310Introduction to Finance

3

HCA101Healthcare Delivery in the United States

3

HCA201Terminologies and Classification Systems

3

HED300Introduction to Health Education

3

HIS320California History

3

HRM210Introduction to Human Resource Management

3

HSC101Health and Society

3

HSC105Cultural Competence in Healthcare

3

HSC215Survey of Public Health Biology

3

MGT321Organizational Behavior and Management

3

MGT332Introduction to Project Management

3

MGT334Organizational and Business Communication

3

MGT410Leading Organizations

3

MGT441Negotiation and Conflict in Management

3

MGT442Leading Diverse and Dispersed Teams

3

MKT210Principles of Marketing

3

General Education Requirements

ENG130English Composition and Reading

3

ENG140English Composition and Critical Thinking

3

COM104Speech

3

MAT105College Algebra

3

MAT241Introduction to Probability and Statistics

3

BIO150General Biology

3

ART160Visual and Performing Arts

3

HUM499Senior Seminar: Humanities

3

COM105Intercultural Communication

3

HIS120United States History I

3

HIS122United States History II

3

PHI399Applied Philosophy and Ethics

3

PSY101Introduction to Psychology

3

CIS120Introduction to Digital Literacy

3

ENG205Information and Media Literacy

3