You are in the official 2001-2002 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.

Liberal Studies Program

The School of Education and Human Development

ROBERT MONKE, Coordinator
JANELL TATSUMURA, Adviser
ESTHER RODRIGUEZ, Adviser
PAT CHRISTENSEN, Adviser

Education Building, Room 151
(559) 278-0300

http://caracas.soehd.csufresno.edu/programs/liberalstudies/liberal.htm

B.A. in Liberal Studies

The Program

The aim of a liberal studies education program is to develop in students an appreciation and understanding of the arts, the sciences, the humanities, and the various cultures that compose the area serviced by California State University, Fresno. A study of the liberal arts teaches ways of thinking, exploring, understanding, and seeing the world from the perspective of others.

The primary mission of the Liberal Studies Program is to provide a strong knowledge-based education in the liberal arts that will provide subject matter preparation for elementary teaching or foundation preparation for other professions such as law, medicine, journalism, and various fields of public service.

Students completing the requirements with the appropriate grade point average will satisfy the California requirements for the Multiple Subject Equivalency and will not be required to take and pass the Multiple Subject Assessment for Teachers (MSAT) exam. Students can proceed directly into the Multiple Subject Credential Program after passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and meeting other credential program admission requirements. Consult the Multiple Subject program adviser in ED 100.

The blended program option blends subject matter preparation and teacher preparation by offering coursework in both areas concurrently, and in a connected manner. This major has been designed to fully comply with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards for a subject matter preparation program for elementary teachers. Candidates who meet a special set of criteria may apply to the credential program.

Faculty

The liberal studies degree program faculty represent a broad cross-section of academic disciplines. At present many different departments offer courses that can be applied toward this major. The initial point of contact is the Liberal Studies Office in ED 151.

Career Opportunities

Liberal studies majors preparing for careers in elementary teaching should expect to find a favorable job market. Recent statistical reports for the Central Valley provide evidence that the area population is continuing to grow along with the number of school-aged children. This pattern of growth, along with anticipated attrition from the teaching profession, provides ample support of a continuing need for well-prepared, credentialed elementary teachers.

Liberal studies majors not planning careers in teaching will find that a number of area employers are seeking prospective employees with a broader vision of the world, not normally provided by a narrow specialization. Opportunities are available in people-oriented jobs such as public relations, personnel, medicine, etc.

As liberal studies candidates prepare for entrance into the teaching profession or other careers, they are provided expert assistance from the campus Career Services Office. Assistance in preparing placement files, preparing for job interviews, and searching for suitable employment is readily available for each candidate.

Scholarship Requirement

Liberal studies majors who plan to obtain a Multiple Subject Credential (elementary teaching) must earn a high GPA as a condition for admission to a teacher education program.

For additional information regarding admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Programs, contact the SOEHD Teacher Preparation and Services Center in ED 100.

Credential Programs

Liberal studies students who wish to complete a credential program that will lead to authorization to teach in an elementary school must follow a specific course of study. Students may wish to use their electives to begin work on one of the following preliminary credential programs:

• Multiple Subject Credential with CLAD emphasis
• Multiple Subject Credential with BCLAD emphasis
• Multiple Subject Credential - emphasis in Early Childhood Education
• Special Education

Program Advisement

Liberal studies majors are expected to attend a group orientation describing the program before or during their first semester on campus. Dates for orientation sessions are posted outside ED 151 or can be obtained by calling (559) 278-0270. These orientations, which are scheduled regularly each term, enable students to understand major requirements and ensure effective planning of their coursework. Students seeking individual advisement (customarily following the group orientation) can call the Liberal Studies Office.

In addition, all students should purchase the Liberal Studies Handbook, available in the Kennel Bookstore.

Freshmen. Follow the catalog description for General Education and select from appropriate categories.

Transfer Students. Select upper-division courses from the liberal studies major requirements. An official university evaluation of your prior work (DARS) will be completed in the first semester, and you will be notified by mail. Attend a group orientation as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition into the Liberal Studies Program.

 

Liberal Studies Degrees

Courses Menu

Home