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Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies program educates high-quality professionals to have a strong knowledge base of multiple disciplines and the experiential background to teach in a diverse society. It is designed to provide students with a broadly based interdisciplinary degree in English, History, Science, Math, Visual and Performing Arts, Human Development, and Social Sciences.

The program is built upon four cornerstones of social and eco-justice, scientific thinking and integrative reasoning skills, best practices in teaching, and field experiences. All students will master the content of the Elementary Subject Matter Standards required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing by successfully completing the BA Liberal Studies Degree. The BA Liberal Studies can be completed in four years using electives for minors, study abroad, or adding a second BA. The accelerated Integrated Teacher Education program (ITEP) allows students to complete the BA Liberal Studies and the Multiple Subjects Credential in four years using electives to complete the School of Education elementary teaching credential program. By adding one more semester of courses and taking courses during summer school, students can complete the BA Liberal Studies, Multiple Subjects Credential and the Education Specialist Credential (see options below).

CSET Not Required

Because the Liberal Studies major is an approved waiver program, Liberal Studies majors who successfully complete the following teaching options do not take the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subject. The BA degree and the following options are exempt from the CSET:

  • BA Liberal Studies: General Option
  • BA Liberal Studies: Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Option
  • BA Liberal Studies: Multiple Subjects Credential Option
  • BA Liberal Studies: Multiple Subjects Credential and Education Specialist Option

CSET Required

Students who take the following non-teaching, non-credential option must take the CSET and are not exempt:

  • BA Liberal Studies: Liberal Arts Option

The BA Liberal Studies: Liberal Arts Option is not a teaching option. If a student does not want to teach, this is an option that allows a greater range of flexibility in courses that can be substituted and credential program prerequisites are not imposed.

BA Liberal Studies: General Option

(Offered on campus and online)

This degree is for students who wish to complete a BA degree in Liberal Studies in preparation for an elementary teaching credential program. The BA Liberal Studies degree is offered on campus, face-to-face or can be completed as a degree completion program fully-online. The BA Liberal Studies is designed to be completed in four years. In order to get a teaching credential, a Liberal Studies graduate is prepared to apply for a credential program which is usually a one-year graduate level program depending upon the university and prerequisite requirements.

BA Liberal Studies Online Degree Completion

Students living outside of the Chico area are able to complete the BA Liberal Studies online. This fully online degree completion program offers the upper division core courses and the nine units of upper division GE online. Online students must complete their General Education courses and other lower division units required for the Liberal Studies program at an accredited community college or other university. Although not required, community college students are urged to complete the Associate of Arts degree in Elementary Teacher Education at their community college to ensure a seamless transfer to CSU, Chico. Chico students already enrolled as first time freshmen may transfer into the online program if they move out of the area and want to complete their degree. Please contact an advisor at mailto:lsonadv@csuchico.edu for information.

BA Liberal Studies: Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Option

The Bilingual Cross-Cultural Option includes course in Spanish, Mexican/Latinx history and culture, and the teaching of English as a second language. Other languages and cultures are possible. Students entering the Bilingual Professional Preparation Program must take the Liberal Studies core courses and the Bilingual Cross-Cultural Option requirements.

BA Liberal Studies: Multiple Subjects Credential Option (ITEP/MS)

This integrated teacher education program (ITEP/MS) is for students who wish to complete their BA Liberal Studies and receive a Multiple Subjects teaching credential at the same time. This program allows a student to complete both in the four-year undergraduate program.

BA Liberal Studies: Multiple Subjects and Education Specialist Credential Option (ITEP/SPED)

This integrated teacher education program (ITEP/SPED) is for students who wish to complete their BA Liberal Studies and receive a Multiple Subjects teaching credential and an Educational Specialist credential to teach special education in four and a half years including some summer school. Units beyond the Multiple Subjects credential courses will be posted as post-baccalaureate.

BA Liberal Studies: Liberal Arts Option

This is a non-teaching option. Students who wish to obtain a liberal arts and sciences background and do not intend to enter the teaching profession select this option.

Career Outlooks

The projected need for elementary educators over the next ten years in California is high. See a Liberal Studies advisor for information on subject matter authorizations and minors to develop even broader teaching opportunities. Businesses and the helping professions are interested in hiring competent people with a multidisciplinary background. Students should consult with their advisor or a career counselor concerning the range of opportunities.

Catalog Cycle:19