You are in the official 1998-99 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
You are in the official 1998-99 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
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. A special non-credential liberal studies option is available for students not pursuing a career in elementary school teaching (see Liberal Studies - Non-Credential).
Students completing the credential option requirements with a minimum grade point average of 2.89 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 Liberal Studies major is the only approved Multiple Subject Equivalency program at California State University, Fresno.
The liberal studies degree program faculty represent a broad cross-section of academic disciplines. At present, 45 different departments offer courses that can be applied toward this major. The initial point of contact is the Liberal Studies Office in ED 151.
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 Development and Employment Services Office. Assistance in preparing placement files, preparing for job interviews, and searching for suitable employment is readily available for each candidate.
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. The GPA for the multiple subject applicant is calculated as a cumulative average of all college coursework taken. This cumulative average may be calculated based on prior degrees earned, transfer units from other CSU or non-CSU campuses, or dates of prior degrees earned.
Currently, a GPA of 2.89 is required for admission to the Multiple Subject CLAD/BCLAD Credential Program. This figure is subject to periodic change. For additional information regarding admission to the Multiple Subject CLAD/BCLAD Credential Program, contact the SOEHD Student Services Office in ED 100.
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 prerequisites for one of the following credential programs:
Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential with emphasis in Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development and Bilingual Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD/BCLAD). This Multiple Subject Credential Program was first offered in Fall 1994 and is the professional preparation program required for teaching in self-contained educational settings (typically found in the elementary school). The emphasis of the CLAD/BCLAD Multiple Subject Credential is to prepare teachers to work in classrooms with all children, including children whose primary language is not English. The CLAD authorization will certify teachers to provide instruction for English language development and specially designed academic instruction in English. The BCLAD (Spanish and Hmong) replaces the Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Credential and will authorize teachers to provide academic instruction to limited-English proficient students in their primary language.
To ensure preparation for admission to the CLAD/BCLAD Multiple Subject Credential Program, students should complete the following prerequisites: EHD 50; Ling 134; Ling 141 or LEE 138; Ling 147 or CLS 143; Af Am 195 or CLS 195 or W S 195 or AsAm 195 or A I S 195; and the equivalent of 6 units of the same foreign language. Students seeking the BCLAD should in addition complete the BCLAD concentration. For more information see the Multiple Subject adviser in Ed 100 or the CLAD/BCLAD coordinator in ED 250.
Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential - Early Childhood Education Emphasis (Option II). The Early Childhood Education Emphasis Program prepares students to teach in the elementary grades, with special strengths in early childhood education. This block program with fieldwork and student teaching in early childhood classrooms - preschool, kindergarten, primary, and intermediate grades - enables students to obtain a Multiple Subject Credential in a specific emphasis area. Students who elect to complete the EHD 160 assignment in two semesters enroll in EHD 160A (6 units) and EHD 160B (6 units). Successful completion of EHD 160A and EHD 160B must include a minimum of one week of full-time student teaching in each assignment.
This credential option also results in the Preliminary CLAD Multiple Subject Credential for students who complete the required prerequisites.
Preprofessional Program. Liberal studies students who are interested in obtaining a strong academic foundation that will serve as entry to other people-oriented (nonteaching) professions, such as journalism, law, medicine, etc., can follow the specially designed Non-Credential Liberal Studies Option within the Liberal Studies Major Core and concentration areas. This program should be planned in consultation with a liberal studies adviser.
Liberal studies majors are expected to attend a group orientation describing the program 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. It is helpful to bring the official evaluation form when meeting with an adviser. All students should request a senior evaluation from the Evaluations Office upon completion of 90 units (cumulative) of coursework.
In addition, all students should purchase the Liberal Studies Handbook, available for purchase in the Kennel Bookstore.
Freshmen. Follow the catalog description for General Education and select from appropriate categories.
Transfer Students. Select courses from the Liberal Studies Major Core and Content requirements. The official university evaluation of coursework from the Evaluations Office will be mailed and will arrive near the end of the first term of enrollment. Attend a group orientation as soon as possible to ensure a smooth transition into the Liberal Studies Program.
