Liberal Studies

Programs Offered

Teaching and Learning Emphasis

The Teaching and Learning Emphasis provides the required multiple-subject content preparation for students seeking the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for teaching kindergarten through 8th grade or a Special Education credential. This emphasis includes the subject-matter content specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Upon successful completion of the Liberal Studies Degree, prospective multiple subject teachers who have met all of the prerequisites may apply for admission to a Multiple Subject post baccalaureate credential program. Such programs are two semester programs. This Teaching and Learning emphasis plus the credential can be completed in 5 years or 10 semesters.

Concentrated Studies Emphasis

Students work with a faculty advisor to develop a Program of Study that focuses on a discipline or interdisciplinary area. In addition to students interested in non-traditional or interdisciplinary degree programs, this emphasis will be of interest to students who have taken substantial course work from a four-year institution in a discipline not currently reflected in the majors at CI.

Careers

The Teaching and Learning emphasis provides the content knowledge preparation for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), which is necessary for teaching grades K-8 and for admission into the Multiple-Subject and Special Education Teaching Credential Programs. Students who are interested in teaching grades 6-12 should consider obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a traditional major (e.g. History, English, Math, or one of the sciences) and then apply to be admitted into a Single Subject Teaching Credential Program or a Special Education Credential Program. The Concentrated Studies emphasis provides a broadly-based background for entry into professional and/ or graduate programs. This emphasis is for students who need flexibility in order to complete their education, or need to prepare for specific careers not represented by California State University Channel Islands’ current majors.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Liberal Studies Program will be able to:

Effectively evaluate oral or written communication for accuracy of content, logic of argument, and clarity of reasoning;
Demonstrate proficiency in computer literacy, information literacy, and technological literacy;
Analyze socio-cultural issues including race, class, ethnicity, gender, and language and discuss societal issues that may arise;
Demonstrate content area knowledge related to their program of study and intended career goals; and
Demonstrate content area knowledge related to the CCTC content standards for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for graduates from the Teaching and Learning Emphasis.

Faculty Advisors

Students seeking to complete a Concentrated Studies Emphasis in Liberal Studies should work with the Liberal Studies Director to identify a faculty advisor.

Robert Bleicher Ph.D., Liberal Studies Director
Madera Hall, Room 2405
bob.bleicher@csuci.edu

Contact Information

http://liberalstudies.csuci.edu

Advising Center
Bell Tower Building, Room 1552
(805) 437-8571
Fax: (805) 437-8857
advisement@csuci.edu

Credential Information

The Liberal Studies Teaching and Learning Emphasis is a Multiple Subject Matter Preparation Program. However, students must complete the Liberal Studies Teaching and Learning Emphasis and must pass either the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), prior to admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Program. For more information about credential programs see the Education section and contact the Credential office.

Programs

Major(s)