Frequently Asked Questions

What is the College of Liberal Arts?
Where do I go for advising?
Who will my instructors be?
What's the difference between the Liberal Arts and Liberal Studies?
Is Computer Studies a part of the College of Liberal Arts?
Is Social Work a part of the College of Liberal Arts?
How do I declare myself as a major within the College?

1. What is the College of Liberal Arts?

The College of Liberal Arts is the largest of seven colleges at CSULB, with twenty-two excellent academic departments and programs, a number of exciting centers and projects and over 300 outstanding faculty.

Each academic department or program offers courses which lead to one or more baccalaureate degrees, master's degrees and special credentials. Liberal Arts includes departments of literature, humanities, foreign language, and social and behavioral sciences.

Liberal Arts centers and projects include the Learning Allliance, a community of students and faculty learning together, faculty research centers and special topic and area study groups.

2. Where do I go for advising?

For advising about general education courses, students may contact the Academic Advising Center located in the Horn Center, Room 103, Phone: 985-4837.

If you have declared your major or intend to major within the College of Liberal Arts, you may contact your department advisor and schedule an appointment with the Undergraduate Advisor or another appropriate faculty member. Psychology majors may use the peer advising program operated by that department.

3. Who will my instructors be?

The College of Liberal Arts has outstanding faculty. Virtually all have earned the highest degrees in their discipline, usually the Doctorate of Philosophy or Ph.D. Others may have a Master of Arts degree. All are well-qualified for their teaching. The College takes great pride in offering many opportunities for student-faculty interaction including small classes, laboratory and fieldwork experiences, and student-faculty research projects.

4. What's the difference between the Liberal Arts and Liberal Studies?

Liberal Arts and Liberal Studies are often confused. Liberal Arts is a college within the university with 22 departments and programs offering degrees and certificates in the humanities and social science disciplines.

Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary major for students intending to become elementary school teachers. Many of the courses in Liberal Studies are drawn from the College of Liberal Arts but, despite the similarity of the names, Liberal Studies is not a program within the College of Liberal Arts but an interdisciplinary major. Liberal Studies is a part of the College of Education. For more information about Liberal Studies please call (562) 985-4228.

5. Is Computer Studies a part of the College of Liberal Arts?

No, Computer Studies is not a part of the College of Liberal Arts. There was a mistake made in the CSULB Catalog that listed Computer Studies as part of the College of Liberal Arts, it is actually a part of The College of Engineering. For more information about C Computer Studies please call (562) 985-4285.

6. Is Social Work a part of the College of Liberal Arts?

No, Social work is not a part of the College of Liberal Arts. It is a part of the The College of Health and Human Services. for more information on Social Work please call (562) 985-4616.

7. How do I declare myself as a major within the College?

You may declare your major by doing one of the following:

Write your declared major on your application to the university
Pick up a change-of-major form from the Enrollment Services window in the courtyard of the SS/AD building. Complete the form, obtain the signature of the undergraduate advisor within the department of your new major and return the form to the Enrollment Services window. You may change a major at any time and preferably by the end of your sophomore year.
Note: Psychology is "impacted", meaning that there is great demand for that program. Students must apply and be approved to major in Psychology. Contact the Psychology Advising Program for more information.

Changing majors is common as students discover and pursue new opportunities and interests. Each major has different requirements and so changing majors may require taking additional courses, especially if you are beyond your first year on campus. You should talk to an advisor or faculty member in the major you are considering to discuss whether your interests and skills are a good fit with that field and to determine what additional courses you may have to take.