Liberal Studies Program

The Liberal Studies major provides a rich, rigorous cross-disciplinary liberal arts program of study, with a focus on Education. There are two graduation pathways in the major:

  1. The Bachelor of Arts Program (BA) is for students who seek subject matter preparation for elementary teaching as preparation for a post-baccalaureate credential program to be completed separately from the bachelor’s degree.
  2. The Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) is for students intending to become teachers who wish to combine subject matter preparation for elementary teaching with coursework leading to an integrated Multiple or Urban Dual Teaching Credential.

To pursue and complete the Liberal Studies program at CSULB, students generally complete a majority of the Core Requirements and then decide upon a pathway to follow through until graduation. All coursework must be completed with a grade "C" or better. Courses cannot be taken for CR/NC (after being admitted to the university).

The Liberal Studies Core Requirements

The Liberal Studies Core Requirements consists of 101-104 units. For course details within the core requirements, review the detailed information below. 

  • GROUP 1. Written Communication: Choose one course - AIS 100B, ASAM 100B, AFRS 100B, CHLS 104B, or ENGL 100B

  • GROUP 2. Oral Communication: Choose one course - COMM 130 or COMM 335

  • GROUP 3. Survey of Literature: Choose one course - CWL 100, ENGL 180, ENGL 250A, ENGL 250B, ENGL 270A, ENGL 270B, or ENGL 375

  • GROUP 4. Applied Composition: Take ENGL 309

  • GROUP 5. Language Acquisition: Choose one course - EDSP 454*** or LING 329 

  • GROUP 6. Children’s Literature (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): Choose one course - AFRS 415, ENGL 481, COMM 352, or SPAN 320***

  • GROUP 7. Language Arts Capstone: Take L/ST 400***

*Special Notes:

  • EDSP 454 is required if pursuing UDCP or Special Education Credential.
  • SPAN 320 is recommended if pursuing Spanish BILA.
  • The Language Arts Capstone, L/ST 400, meets the GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone Requirement at CSULB.

  • GROUP 1. Real Numbers: Take MTED 110

  • GROUP 2. Probability and Statistics: Take MTED 305

  • GROUP 3. Geometry and Measurement: Choose one course - MTED 211 or MTED 312*

  • GROUP 4. Mathematics Capstone: Take MTED 402

*Special Notes: 

  • MTED 312 is recommended if pursuing Math Concentration and/or Teaching.

  • GROUP 1. Earth Science: Choose - Take Both GEOL 102 and GEOL 104 or Only GEOL 106

  • GROUP 2. Life Science: Take BIOL 200

  • GROUP 3. Physical Science: Take PHSC 112

  • GROUP 4. Natural Science Capstone: Take SCED 401

  • GROUP 1. American History: Choose one course - HIST 172 or HIST 300

  • GROUP 2. American Institutions: Choose one course - POSC 100, POSC 199 (for those with AP or out-of-state credit), POSC 326, or POSC 399

  • GROUP 3. World History and Geography: Choose - Take Both HIST 111 and GEOG 100 or Only L/ST 250 

  • GROUP 4. Multicultural Dimensions: Choose one course - AFRS 215, AIS 215, ASAM 215, CHLS 215, AFRS 319, AIS 319, ASAM 319, CHLS 319, or WGSS 319.

  • GROUP 5. California History: Choose one course - HIST 473 or CHLS 305*** 

  • GROUP 6. History-Social Science Capstone: Take L/ST 471***

*Special Notes: 

  • CHLS 305 is recommended if pursuing Spanish BILA.  
  • The History & Social Sciences Capstone, L/ST 471, meets the GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone Requirement at CSULB.

  • GROUP 1. Music: Take MUS 180

  • GROUP 2. Dance or Theater: Choose one course - L/ST 211, CWL 124, CWL 324, DANC 110, DANC 179, THEA 113, THEA 122, or THEA 324

  • GROUP 3. Ethics, Values and Beliefs (Not Required for ITEP UDCP or ITEP MSCP Spanish BILA): Choose one course - PHIL 100, PHIL 160, PHIL 203, PHIL 204, PHIL 405, R/ST 100, or R/ST 202 

  • GROUP 4. Visual Art (Not Required for ITEP MSCP Spanish BILA): Take ART 300

  • GROUP 5. Arts Capstone: Take L/ST 404 

For Students Who Started the Major Prior to Fall 2020

  • GROUP 1. Teaching and Learning: Take EDEL 100

  • GROUP 2. Information and Technology Competencies: Choose one course - ETEC 110, ETEC 444, or MTED 301

  • GROUP 3. Critical Thinking: Choose one course - L/ST 111, A/ST 190, COMM 131, ENGL 102, ETEC 171, HIST 101, PHIL 170, POSC 105, or PSY 130

  • GROUP 4. Introduction to Education: Take EDEL 200

  • GROUP 5. Child Development and Learning: Take EDP 301

  • GROUP 6. Family and School Partnerships (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): Take EDSP 355A 

  • GROUP 7. Physical Education (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): Take KIN 476

  • GROUP 8. Health Science (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): Take H SC 411A

For Students Who Started the Major As of Fall 2020 or later

  • GROUP 1. Teaching and Learning: Choose - Take Both [ETEC 110 or ETEC 444] and EDEL 100 or Only L/ST 100

  • GROUP 2. Critical Thinking: Choose one course - L/ST 111, A/ST 190, COMM 131, ENGL 102, ETEC 171, HIST 101, PHIL 170, POSC 105, or PSY 130.

  • GROUP 3. Introduction to Education: Take EDEL 200

  • GROUP 4. Child Development and Learning: Take EDP 301

  • GROUP 5. Family and School Partnerships (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): Take EDSP 355A

  • GROUP 6. Physical Education (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): Take KIN 476

  • GROUP 7. Health Science (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): Take H SC 411A

  • GROUP 8. Diversity in Education (Not Required for ITEP UDCP): EDEL 300

The Liberal Studies Graduation Pathways - ITEP or BA

It is the student's responsibility to research and plan for the program pathway they wish to follow for graduation from the Liberal Studies program. For more information on each of the pathways and how to pursue an integrated pathway, review the detailed information below. 

120 Units - 4 Year Program

The BA Pathway is our traditional teacher education program where students complete their Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies and then after graduation, may choose to apply post-bac to complete their teaching credential either at CSULB or at another university if desired. The BA option includes completion of the Core Requirements and a concentration, which consists of 12 units in a specific subject area, as well as elective units to reach 120 units for graduation.  For more information regarding the Concentration requirement, refer to the Liberal Studies Concentration page.

Post-Bac Teaching Credentials at CSULB

For those who wish to earn their teaching credential at CSULB after earning their Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, they may complete the following credential programs post-bac or after graduation. 

Multiple Subject Credential Program (Post-Bac MSCP)

This credential prepares candidates to teach elementary (K-8) grades.

Special Education Credential Program (Post-Bac ESCP) 

This credential prepares candidates to teach individuals in the areas of Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe disabilities.

Urban Dual Credential Program (Post-Bac UDCP)

This program is a cohorted, two-year combination of the Preliminary Multiple Subject and Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials.

Single Subject Credential Program (Post-Bac SSCP)

This credential prepares candidates to teach specific subject(s), traditionally in middle and high school grades (6-12) though may be assigned to teach any grade level.

Bilingual Authorizations (BILA) Add-On

Students are welcome to obtain an additional Bilingual Authorization (BILA) to teach in Dual Language classrooms.  This add-on is for candidates that wish to teach in classrooms where the language of emphasis is appropriate for instruction and in situations where teachers use the target language for explanation, preview-review, and interaction with families. The BILA add-on is available for candidates in any credential program, integrated or post-bac. Information on the Bilingual Authorization can be found on the Bilingual Authorization website. 

135 Units - 4 to 5 Year Program

The ITEP Pathway (integrated BA and Credential) combines the study of academic subject matter for elementary school teaching with professional preparation and student teaching. Successful completion of ITEP includes both a Bachelor of Arts degree and Teaching Credential(s).  Students must complete the Core Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree and Teaching Credential Program(s) in order to graduate from the university.

Integrated Teaching Credentials at CSULB (aka ITEP Pathways)

For those who wish to earn their teaching credential(s) at CSULB while earning their Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, they may complete the following credential programs simultaneously, starting senior year.

ITEP Multiple Subject Credential Program (ITEP MSCP) 

This credential prepares candidates to teach elementary (K-8) grades.

ITEP Multiple Subject Credential Program with Bilingual Authorization (ITEP MSCP BILA)

This credential prepares candidates to teach elementary (K-8) grades, while the Spanish BILA add-on allows teaching in a Dual Language classroom. Students on this pathway are encouraged to take specific recommended courses in the Liberal Studies Core Requirements, including: Area I, Group 6 Children's Literature - SPAN 320 (for Spanish) and Area IV, Group 5 California History - CHLS 305 (for Spanish).

  • Interested in the ITEP MSCP Spanish BILA Pathway for Graduation? Complete the Online Spanish BILA Interest Form. A Liberal Studies Advisor will track your academic record each term to ensure you are completing the necessary BILA classes as part of your graduation plan. You will be reached out to, as necessary, regarding class availability and requirements.
ITEP Urban Dual Credential Program (ITEP UDCP)​ 

This program is a cohorted, two-year combination of the Preliminary Multiple Subject and Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials, starting in Senior year.

  • Interested in the ITEP UDCP Pathway for Graduation? Complete the Online ITEP UDCP Interest Form. A Liberal Studies Advisor will track your academic record each term to ensure you are on track and aware of upcoming deadlines, events, and/or reminders regarding applying to the Urban Dual Credential Program. 

 

Coming Soon...

 

ITEP Education Specialist Credential (ITEP ESCP)

Our newest program, the ITEP ESCP pathway will combine the Bachelor's degree with an Educational Specialist Credential. This new program will allow students to earn both a Bachelor's degree and the Education Specialist Credential within 120 units! The program will begin in Fall 2024. Students interested in the program should speak to a Liberal Studies Advisor for more information. 

  • Interested in the ITEP ESCP  Pathway for Graduation? Complete the Online ITEP ESCP Interest Form. A Liberal Studies Advisor will track your academic record each term to ensure you are on track and aware of upcoming deadlines, events, and/or reminders regarding applying to the ITEP ESCP pathway. 

 

Bilingual Authorizations (BILA) Add-On

Students are welcome to obtain an additional Bilingual Authorization (BILA) to teach in Dual Language classrooms.  This add-on is for candidates that wish to teach in classrooms where the language of emphasis is appropriate for instruction and in situations where teachers use the target language for explanation, preview-review, and interaction with families. The BILA add-on is available for candidates in any credential program. Information on the Bilingual Authorization can be found on the Bilingual Authorization website. 

Graduating under the Bachelor of Arts Program (BA Pathway)

All Students are defaulted to the BA Pathway for Graduation. No special actions are taken aside from meeting with an Academic Advisor for graduation planning.

Graduating under the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP Pathway)

To be switched over to any ITEP/integrated pathway, students must apply and be accepted successfully to an Integrated Teacher Credentialing Program by the start of their Senior Year. Inability to apply or be accepted successfully into the Teacher Credentialing Program by the appropriate timeline will result in a student remaining on the BA Pathway by default for graduation. Once a student is admitted to an Integrated Teacher Education Program and is switched to the ITEP pathway, they must remain on the plan accordingly until graduation. 

Basic Steps for Switching to an ITEP/Integrated Pathway: 

  • STEP 1: Meet Eligibility to Apply. Complete a majority of the Core Requirements for the Liberal Studies Program, including EDEL 200 or equivalent and have at least a 2.67 cumulative GPA.

  • STEP 2: Choose an ITEP Pathway and Begin the Application. Choose the pathway you want to pursue after careful research and begin working on the application on the designated website(s) listed above. Also plan to complete a program interview during the Fall or Spring term you're submitting your application. 

  • STEP 3: Submit Credential Application & Interview by the Final Deadline.  Students mark 'ITEP' on the credential application for their preferred option, to indicate they will be joining the ITEP pathway officially for graduation.

  • STEP 4: Be Successfully Accepted to the Credential Program. Students are switched to the appropriate ITEP pathway by the start of the term applied for, by a Liberal Studies Advisor.

For additional information related to professional licensure and certification related to this program, please refer to the Credential Center.