Liberal Studies, Teaching - Elementary Subject Matter Preparation (ESM), B.A., Online*

Program of Study

The Liberal Studies Elementary Subject Matter Preparation, B.A., Online offers an excellent curricular pathway to students interested in a career in elementary or middle school teaching (grades K-8). Coursework is selected to address the seven core subject matter areas of the K-8 curriculum (Reading, Language & Literature; History & Social Sciences; Mathematics; Science; Visual & Performance Arts; Human Development; and Physical Education), including all general education and breadth of study requirements. 

Subject Matter Competence and CSET Waiver

In order to apply to a Multiple Subject Credential program, students must satisfy subject matter requirements as established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Students graduating with a B.A. in Liberal Studies will automatically have satisfied the subject matter requirements for Multiple Subject, which means that they do not need to take the Multiple Subject California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSETs) I-III.

Furthermore, the curriculum for the B.A. in Liberal Studies has gone through a rigorous review process by the CCTC, and has been approved as a Multiple Subject CSET I-III Waiver Program. This means that students who finish all degree requirements earn a cumulative GPA of 2.67 or higher, and graduate, will earn the Multiple Subject Waiver, which will certify their high level of preparation for K-8 teaching.

*The Liberal Studies ESM, B.A., Online is offered through Extended Learning.

Program Goals

The goals of the Liberal Studies program are that all of our graduates:

• Learn to engage in reasoned thinking.
• Maintain open, inquiring, and skeptical minds.
• Know how to access and evaluate information.
• Develop cultural sensitivity and tolerance for cultural differences.
• Acquire environmental awareness.
• Establish a foundation for understanding social issues.
• Take responsibility for their thinking, actions, and impact on the world.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Elementary Subject Matter, will:

1. Earn the Multiple Subject CSET I-III Waiver.
2. Articulate their role in the community, with an emphasis on how their educational experience informs their K-8 teaching.
3. Collaborate with diverse groups and in multiple settings to achieve a goal.
4. Collect, evaluate, and analyze primary and secondary data/resources.

Career Opportunities

For students who want a career in teaching, earning a B.A. in Liberal Studies is the first step in the process of becoming a K-8 teacher. For students who do not want to be teachers, the B.A. in Liberal Studies serves as a liberal arts foundation for high school, community college, and university student services jobs, NGOs focused on education issues, most graduate programs in the humanities and social sciences, and law school.

Graduates of Liberal Studies are well-positioned for entry into CSUSM’s Multiple Subject (K-8 teaching) or Middle Level (6-8) Credential Program. (Please note: Students wishing to apply for the Middle Level program must also take and pass a single-subject CSET to be eligible for admission.)
For complete and up-to-date information, please contact the School of Education.

Special Conditions for the Liberal Studies Major

All courses counted toward the Major, including general education, must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better. No course counting for Major requirements may be taken for a grade of Credit/No Credit. Note that a 2.67 GPA is required for the CSET I-III Waiver.

Lower-Division Requirements (including GE) (52-61 Units)

Because the Liberal Studies major is designed to meet Elementary Subject Matter standards, most General Education courses are specified as indicated below. Where no course is specified for a General Education requirements , students may use any course that meets that GE Requirement.

The courses listed below satisfy General Education requirements as indicated at the time of publication. Check the Class Schedule for the most up-to-date list of courses satisfying these requirements.

All Lower Division requirements must be completed prior to admission to the program.

History and Social Science (HSS) (12 Units)

• GEOG 201  - World Regional Geography Units: 3
• HIST 101  - World Civilizations to 1500 Units: 3 (LDGE 3B)
• HIST 130  - Early American History 1400-1877 Units: 3 (LDGE 4h)

•  

• AIS 150  - Introduction to Federal Indian Law and Policy Units: 3 (LDGE 4c and 4g)

• or

• PSCI 100  - U.S. Government and Politics Units: 3

• (LDGE 4c and 4g)

Mathematics (MATH) (6 Units)

• MATH 210  - Math for K-8 Teachers I: Number Sense Units: 3
• MATH 212  - Mathematics for K-8 Teachers II: Geometry, Measurement, and Reasoning Units: 3 (LDGE 2)

Science (SCI) (10 Units)

• GES 102  - Molecules, Life, and the Environment [Life Science] Units: 4 (LDGE 5B & 5C)
• GES 105  - Introduction to Physical Science Units: 3 (LDGE 5A)

•  

• ES 100  - The Earth and Its Place in the Universe Units: 3

• or

• GEOG 110  - Introduction to Physical Geography Units: 3 (LDGE 5A)

Reading, Language, and Literature (RLL) (12 Units)

• GEO 102  - Oral Communication Units: 3 (LDGE 1C)
• GEW 101B  - Writing as a Rhetorical Act Units: 3 (LDGE 1A)
• LING 101  - Mysteries of Human Language: An Introduction to Linguistics Units: 3 (LDGE 1B)
• LTWR 100  - Introduction to Literature Units: 3 (LDGE 3B)

Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) (3 Units)

• AMD 120  - Introduction to Art, Media, and Design Units: 3 (LDGE 3A)

Human Development (HD) (3 Units)

• PSYC 210  - Child Growth and Development Units: 3

Physical Education (PE) (3 Units)

• PE 203  - Physical Education for Elementary School Children Units: 3

Ethnic Studies (3 Units)

• Any LDGE 6   course Units: 3

Language Proficiency (0-9 Units)

All students in the Liberal Studies Elementary Subject Matter Option must meet a second-language proficiency requirement. This is satisfied with a 200-level class or by demonstrating proficiency in a language other than English. One of the courses used to meet this requirement will be used to satisfy the CSUSM 3A/3B (Arts and Humanities) General Education requirement . For details on how to satisfy this requirement, please refer to Language Proficiency Requirement .

Breadth of Study Requirements (33 Units)

Area of Focus Requirement (15 Units)

All students must fulfill the Area of Focus requirement by completing the Reading, Language, and Literature Area of Focus. The Area of Focus allows students to gain greater appreciation of the development of this academic field, from basic concepts and methods to more advanced applications and theoretical horizons. Courses taken to satisfy the Area of Focus requirement may be applied toward completion of a minor (an official declaration of the minor must be filed with Registration and Records).

• LING 351  - Language Acquisition Units: 3
• LING 355  - Heritage Languages and Heritage Speakers Units: 3
• LTWR 304  - The Fairy Tale Units: 3
• LTWR 338  - Children’s Literature into Film Units: 3
• LTWR 465  - Theory and Practice ofK-12 Writing Instruction Units: 3

Minimum Total (120 Units)

Graduation Requirement: Students must take a sufficient number of elective units to bring the total number of units to a minimum of 120, including at least 40 at the upper-division level.