Liberal Studies

Programs Offered

Concentrated Studies Emphasis

While providing a core foundation in the four CI Mission pillars of interdisciplinary, experiential, multicultural, and international perspectives on learning, the Liberal Studies B.A. Concentrated Studies Emphasis (LSCS) provides flexibility for students to develop knowledge and skills that support their individual career aspirations.

LSCS is an option for students whose educational or career goals are not met by any of CI’s existing degree programs. LSCS permits students to design a complete interdisciplinary program of study suited to their individual needs. This program thus provides extraordinary opportunities for creativity in educational planning and allows students to benefit from a wide range of CI’s faculty and other resources. To become a LSCS major, a student must work with the Liberal Studies Director to prepare a carefully conceived program of study.

Planning a LSCS major takes time and commitment; considerable thought and discussion are required, since the student is, in effect, proposing that the university support an individually-tailored degree program. It also requires that the student assumes a large portion of the responsibility for his or her educational choices.

Concentrated Studies Emphasis Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the LSCS Program will be able to:

Synthesize content knowledge, ideas, and approaches from integrative perspectives across disciplines to examine societal issues;
Demonstrate the capacity to lead others in addressing issues of public concern;
Examine societal issues from multiple cultural perspectives;
Evaluate societal issues in the context of international perspectives;
Analyze oral or written communication for accuracy of content, logic of argument, and clarity of reasoning.

Careers

A wide variety of careers are available to students who complete this emphasis. Graduates find entry into careers in business, government, and social service agencies. A small selection of the careers pursued by CI LSCS graduates include: entry-level management personnel, public relations personnel, law enforcement officer, firefighter, non-profit organizational director, and customer service representative. Many individuals also use the LSCS degree to improve their current employment standing. In addition to receiving significant and positive life changes as a result of a LSCS degree, these graduates report pay raises and promotions as tangible benefits to receiving their degree.

Integrated Teaching Credential Emphasis

This emphasis permits students to complete a baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies and be recommended for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, concurrently. The emphasis also includes the subject matter content preparation specified for Multiple Subject teachers by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and the professional preparation necessary to be recommended for a teaching credential. This emphasis can be completed in nine semesters.

Please Note: Prospective multiple subject teachers who wish to enter the Integrated Teaching Credential Emphasis and have met all of the requirements for admission, may apply for admission in the first semester of their junior year. Students who are unable or choose not to be admitted into the Integrated Teaching Credential Emphasis may complete the baccalaureate degree in Liberal Studies with the Teaching and Learning Emphasis.

Integrated Teaching Credential Emphasis Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the Integrated Teaching Credential Emphasis will be able to:

Analyze 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 the CTC content standards for the Multiple Subject Teaching Credential;
Demonstrate pedagogical knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to teach in grades K-8.

Careers

The Integrated Teaching Credential Emphasis provides the content and pedagogical knowledge required to teach in K-8 schools.

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 an Education Specialist Teaching Credential. This emphasis includes the subject-matter content specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). 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 Teaching 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.

Teaching and Learning Emphasis Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the Teaching and Learning Emphasis will be able to:

Analyze 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 the CTC content standards for the Multiple Subject and Education Specialist Teaching Credentials.

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 Education Specialist 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. English, History, Mathematics, or one of the sciences) and then apply to be admitted into a Single Subject Teaching Credential Program.

Faculty Advisors

Students seeking to complete a Concentrated Studies Emphasis in Liberal Studies must work with the Liberal Studies Director to develop an individualized Program of Study.

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

Contact Information

http://liberalstudies.csuci.edu

Academic Advising Center
Bell Tower, Room 1595
(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) or 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 of the catalog and contact the Credential office.

Programs

Major(s)