The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modifications. See below for information on how to apply these modifications.

• SCED 141 is an approved major course substitution for Physical Sciences (B1).
• SCED 142 is an approved major course substitution for Life Sciences (B2).
• SCED 343 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Natural Sciences.
• ENGL 341 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Arts/Humanities.
• SOSC 302 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Social Sciences.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

For Liberal Studies majors these requirements are met by successful completion of HIST 101 and SOSC 302.

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

• Any upper-division Writing (W) course.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

The University requires a grade of C- or higher in CMST 131, CMST 132, ENGL 130, ENGL 333W, MATH 110, MATH 210, and PHIL 102 or approved equivalents for graduation.

Course Requirements for the Major: 63-100 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Major Core Program: 63 units

21 courses required:

SUBJ NUM	Title	Sustainable	Units	Semester Offered	Course Flags
ARTE 493	Development of Children's Art (P-8)		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: Minimum sophomore standing or faculty permission. An exploration of art-making skills; developing creative, standards-based art lessons and units; and enhancing understanding of theory, history and practice in art education Pre-Kindegarten (P) through Eighth (8) grade levels. 2 hours discussion, 2 hours activity. (000803)
EDTE 265	Exploration of Teaching and Learning in Diverse K-12 Settings		3.0	FS
This course provides emerging teachers access to acquire planned, structured observations and experiences in K-12 public school classrooms. Placements are made in selected schools and classrooms that demonstrate exemplary practice as described in the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and represent California's diverse student population. Additionally, class dialogue/discussion sessions support emerging teachers toward making connections between subject matter courses, personal, social and emotional growth, and K-12 schooling experiences. Potential teachers are encouraged to begin introductory school experiences as early as possible in the subject matter program. 3 hours lecture. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. (021892)
EDTE 302	Access and Equity in Education		3.0	FS
Prospective teachers examine socio-political issues of education relative to current demographics of California schools, integration of multicultural education, and promotion of social justice. Candidates identify, analyze, and minimize personal and institutional bias and explore the complexities of living and teaching in a pluralistic, multicultural society. Candidates identify barriers English Learners experience in becoming full participants in the school program and strategies for assisting students in overcoming these barriers. 3 hours lecture. (002977)
EDTE 490	Liberal Studies Capstone		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: EDTE 302. In this course, emerging teachers understand and utilize research approaches and related methodologies to study educational practices, curriculum, and policies. They become transformational intellectual leaders who identify anti-oppressive institutional practices and have the knowledge, skills and abilities to propose or lead change toward social and ecological justice. 3 hours discussion. Formerly LBST 490. (021913)
ENGL 333W	Advanced Composition for Future Teachers (W)		3.0	FS	GW  W
Prerequisite: Completion of GE Written Communication (A2) requirement. Advanced practice in writing and in using writing in the classroom for single- and multiple-subject credential candidates. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or higher certifies writing proficiency for majors. This is an approved Writing Course. (003436)
ENGL 341	Reading Literature for Future Teachers		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: ENGL 333W strongly recommended. Basic concepts involved in the study of literature, interpretation and criticism of literary works, and suggestions for helping others understand and appreciate literature. Required of multiple-subject credential candidates. 3 hours lecture. (003433)
ENGL 471	Intensive Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition		3.0	FS
An intensive introduction to the theory and practice of second language acquisition and teaching. 3 hours lecture. (020485)
HIST 101	World History to 1400		3.0	FS	GE  GC
Examination of the political, economic, religious, and social structures of ancient and medieval world history. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course. (004492)
HIST 313	Early Modern History		3.0	FS
A survey of European history from the Renaissance through the Age of Revolution. This course prepares students for 400-level courses in European history by introducing the social, cultural, and political history of the period, with special emphasis placed upon the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Enlightenment. It also prepares students for careers in education by incorporating historical analysis skills required in K-12 classrooms. 3 hours lecture. (021308)
KINE 302	Foundations of Childhood Physical Education		3.0	FS
This course is designed to present a knowledge base of physical education that includes the analysis of movement skills and movement patterns, physical fitness, and how physical education is inherently linked to health and wellness. Also studied in this course will be children's motor development and how emotional, cognitive, and social growth characteristics influence motor development. 3 hours lecture. (006877)
MATH 110	Concepts and Structures of Mathematics		3.0	FS	GE
Prerequisite: GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Ready. Structure of the real number system, operations on real numbers, number theory. Not acceptable for a mathematics major or minor. 3 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (005522)
MATH 210	Concepts and Structures of Mathematics		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: MATH 110. Problem-solving, probability and statistics, measurement and the metric system, geometry. Not acceptable for a mathematics major or minor. 3 hours discussion. (005523)
MATH 310	Patterns and Structures in Mathematics		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: MATH 110; MATH 210 or MATH 225. Builds upon student's understanding of numbers and operations to develop their algebraic and proportional reasoning. Probability viewed as an application of proportional reasoning. Foundational statistics is also covered. Overall focus on developing a deep understanding of mathematics that is relevant to the teaching of Kindergarten-8th grade. Not acceptable for a mathematics major or minor except the Foundational Math Education option and Math Education minor. 3 hours discussion. (005542)
MUSC 326	Music for Children		3.0	FS
Analysis of sequential concepts necessary for understanding the structural elements of music. Development of skills needed to promote musicality in children. 3 hours discussion. (006136)
PSYC 414	Psychology of Teaching		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: A course in developmental psychology, faculty permission. Applications of principles of the psychology of human learning and development and counseling to educational practice. Prospective teachers analyze their motivations, personal value systems, role conceptualizations, and self-attitudes in relation to demands of the teaching profession. Concepts of emotional, social, and cognitive development as well as of childhood learning and motivation are applied to development of learning experiences for elementary school children. Enrollment is restricted to second-semester juniors, seniors, and graduates. 3 hours seminar. (007900)
SCED 141	Concepts in the Physical Sciences		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of MATH 110 recommended. Basic concepts of motion, force, energy, chemical change, and their interactions. Intended for Liberal Studies majors. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. (004132)
SCED 142	Concepts in Life Science		3.0	FS
Prerequisite: SCED141 or faculty permission. Study of the nature and interactions of living things on the planet. Includes cell organization; diversity and physiology of plants and animals; DNA and genetics; ecology; and evolution. Intended for Liberal Studies majors or others interested in K-8 teaching. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. (020915)
SCED 342	Concepts in Earth and Space Science		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: SCED 141, SCED 142, or faculty permission. Fundamental concepts in (1) the solar system and the universe, (2) the structure and composition of the solid Earth, and (3) Earth's atmosphere and water. Intended for Liberal Studies majors and students pursuing a single subject teaching credential in science. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. (004144)
SCED 343	Concepts in Environmental Sciences		3.0	FS
Prerequisites: SCED 141, SCED 142, or faculty permission. A course designed to introduce basic principles and concepts in environmental science. Field investigations in the local environment provide a natural setting for scientific inquiry and student research on environmental processes and conditions that shape the local landscape. Intended for Liberal Studies majors and students pursuing a single subject teaching credential in science. 1 hour lecture, 4 hours activity. (020916)
SOSC 302	Temporal Concepts: California Ethnic History		3.0	FS	USD
This course focuses on the immigration and subsequent history of California's different ethnic groups. It explores their interactions and the effects on the social, political, and economic development of the state. The course is required for Liberal Studies majors. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved US Diversity course. (009060)
THEA 311	Children's Lit in Performance		3.0	FS
Development of the skills for effective dramatization of literature in the elementary classroom or children's theatre, including creative dramatics, storytelling, oral interpretation and group readings. 3 hours discussion. (009224)

Major Option Course Requirements: 23-37 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• General Option
• Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Option
• Multiple Subjects Credential Option
• Liberal Arts Option

General Option:

The Liberal Studies program of required major core courses combined with general education fulfills all of the requirements for establishing subject matter competency for the Elementary Subject Matter Standards. These standards have been established by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing as preparation to enter a credential program or take credential courses. The BA degree requires 120 units for graduation. Students may use electives to complete a minor or another major or study abroad. Students who want to teach in K-8 elementary schools should apply in their senior year to the School of Education Multiple Subjects Credential Program in order to complete a year-long set of courses and student teaching in order to receive a Multiple Subjects Credential.

Online Degree Completion

Students may also complete the major core courses online to complete their degree. Students who select this option must live outside of the city of Chico. This is a degree completion program where lower division pre-approved equivalent courses are taken at community colleges or other four-year institutions. Students in this option who plan to apply to one of the on-campus CSU, Chico credential programs, must make sure they have completed the required prerequisites. Online student are encouraged to contact an advisor early to have equivalents approved. Some online courses are only offered once a year. Student must contact their advisor each semester for mandatory advising.

Return to Major Core Course Requirements

Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Option: 23 units

This option requires students to complete the major core course requirements and also complete 23 units of language and culture units listed below. Students in this option need to complete 120 units total to graduate. It is recommended students visit the School of Education web page to find any credential prerequisite courses required to apply for the credential program. Students planning to complete a credential typically use EDTE 450, EDTE 570, and SPED 343, credential program prerequisite courses, as electives.

Language and Culture Courses: 23 units

5 courses required:

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

Return to Major Core Course Requirements

Multiple Subjects Credential (ITEP) Option: 37 units

This option is for students who want to graduate with both a BA in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subjects K-8 teaching credential. It is possible to complete this program in four years by taking a minimum of 15 units per semester. The program requires students to take the major core courses and complete the 37 units listed below. EDTE 525 Teaching Practicum I and EDTE 529 Teaching Practicum II require students to teach in a public school where they are placed by the School of Education. Students are advised that during student teaching it is very difficult to hold a part-time job. Application to the School of Education Multiple Subjects Credential program is required. Students are required to attend mandatory Liberal Studies advising for information related to application and enrollment procedures. After successful completion of the courses listed below and student teaching, graduates hold a BA in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential.

Return to Major Core Course Requirements

Liberal Arts Option:

Liberal Arts option students complete the requirements for the major when they finish the Liberal Students major core program of 63 units listed above. This option is designed for students who want a broad liberal arts and sciences degree but are not interested in pursuing the teaching credential. A minor or second major is highly recommended for this option. It is important to see an advisor for help in planning your program.

Return to Major Core Course Requirements

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Students working toward a credential may use credential program prerequisite courses as elective units towards the Liberal Studies degree.

(a) Students who plan to enter the Bilingual Program must also take EDTE 570 and SPED 343.

(b) Students who plan to enter the Special Education Concurrent Program must complete the Special Education minor to satisfy all program prerequisites.

(c) Students who plan to enter the General Multiple Subject Program must take EDTE 450 and SPED 343.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.