Program: Liberal Studies, B.A.
Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) Freshman Option
Program Description
Teacher Preparation
Students interested in careers as elementary or special education teachers should select one of the Liberal Studies Teacher Preparation option programs. All provide a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies, including preparation in the multiple subjects taught in self-contained classroom settings. Students in the Teacher Preparation option take courses in the language arts, natural sciences, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, visual and performing arts, human development, physical education and
health. By the end of the degree program, students have a foundation of basic knowledge in all of these areas. Students pursuing the Teacher Preparation option are not required to meet the University General Education requirements. By completing the Liberal Studies major, students are considered to have fulfilled those requirements.
The ITEP-Freshman Option is a program for entering freshmen who are ready for college-level courses in mathematics and writing. It is designed for freshmen who are certain about their career choice when they begin college. ITEP-Freshman option students remain with their entering cohort throughout their four years, including at least one summer, taking some courses exclusively designed for them. ITEP-Freshman students take 14-18 units per semester. The program includes clinical practice and lab experiences in elementary classrooms guided by education faculty, as well as the opportunity for participation in a close-knit learning community.
B.A. in Liberal Studies earned at 120 units in Track A: Elementary Education or 120 units in Track B: Special Education.
Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential earned at 136 units for Track A: Elementary Education or Preliminary Education Specialist Credential earned at 142 units for Track B: Special Education.
Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees, or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the respective department or program. See Notice to Students: Licensure and Certification for more information.
Program Requirements
1. Requirements for the Liberal Studies, B.A. – Track A: Elementary Education
Year One: First Semester (15 units)
CADV 150 Foundations of Child and Adolescent Development (3)
LRS 100 Liberal Studies Freshman Seminar: So You Want to be a Teacher (3)
LRS 120 Integrated Arts in Elementary Education (3)
or ART 103 Thinking Through Artmaking (3)
Freshman Composition (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
AFRS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CHS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
ENGL 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
GWS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
QS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
Year One: Second Semester (15 units)
EED 150 Anthropological Concepts in Elementary Schools (3)
HIST 110 World History to 1500 (3)
Ethnic Studies: Introduction to Literature (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 220 Survey of Asian American Literature (3)
AFRS 245 African American Literature Since 1930 (3)
CAS 201 Survey of Central American Literature (3)
CHS 201 Survey of Mexican Literature in Translation (3)
Media Literacy (3 units)
DH 120 Introduction to Digital Humanities (3)
Speech Communication (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
AFRS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
CAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
CHS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
COMS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
GWS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
QS 151 Fundamentals of QS Public Speaking (3)
Summer: End of Year One (6 units)
United States History (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 271 African American History to 1865 (3)
CHS 245 History of the Americas (3)
HIST 270 The United States to 1865 (3)
United States Government (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 161 American Political Institutions: A Black Perspective (3)
CHS 260 Constitutional Issues and the Chicana/o (3)
POLS 155 American Political Institutions (3)
RS 255 American Political Institutions and Religion (3)
Year Two: First Semester (14 units)
ENGL 303/L Introduction to Language, Grammar and Linguistics for Teachers and Lab (2/1)
ENGL 305 Intermediate Expository Writing (3)
ELPS 203 Urban Education in American Society (3)
LRS 200 Scientific Approaches for Future Teachers Seminar (1)
LRS 200L Scientific Approaches for Future Teachers Lab (1)
LRS 210 Applied Scientific Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
Year Two: Second Semester (16 units)
BIOL 102CS/LCS Biological Concepts and Lab (3/1)
EPC 315 Psychological Foundations of Learning and Teaching (3)
LING 417 Language Development and Acquisition (3)
LRS 250 Philosophical Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
LRS 260 Applied Philosophical Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
Summer Two (6 units)
GEOG 150 World Geography: People, Places, and Globalization (3)
Select one course from:
GEOG 106LRS The Physical Environment for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
or GEOL 106LRS Earth and Space Science for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
Year Three: First Semester (15 units)
KIN 470/L Physical Education for Children and Lab (2/1)
LRS 300 Interdisciplinary Approaches for Future Teachers I (3)
LRS 310 Applied Interdisciplinary Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
MATH 310 Basic Concepts of Geometry (3)
Teacher Concentration I
LRS 385 Philosophy of Education (3)
Year 3 First Semester Students should apply for admission to the Credential Program.
Year Three: Second Semester (18 units)
ENGL 428 Children’s Literature (3)
LRS 425A-Z Selected Topics in Childhood Studies (3)
MATH 312 Basic Algebraic Concepts (3)
Teacher Concentration II
EED 472 Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
Teacher Concentration III
EED 477A Reading Instruction for Diverse Learners (3)
Select one course from:
GEOG 417 California for Educators (3)
or HIST 417 California for Educators (3)
Year 3 Second Semester Students should submit application for Student Teaching.
Year Four: First Semester (15 units)
EED 578A Supervised Clinical Practice (8)
EED 579A Student Teaching Seminar (2)
GEOL 406LRS Liberal Studies Science Experience Capstone (1)
HSCI 465ELM Teaching Health in the Elementary School Classroom (1)
LRS 457 Arts Integration and Inquiry Capstone (3)
2. General Education and Campus Requirements
Liberal Studies majors in Teacher Preparation options satisfy General Education requirements by completion of the major. In addition, students must complete 3 units of coursework to meet the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement. If taken, one of the following courses in the major will also meet the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement: AAS 220, AFRS 245, CAS 201, CHS 201. Students may satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by completion of ENGL 305 and ENGL 428 (which are required for the major) at CSUN with grades of “C” or better.
B.A. in Liberal Studies earned at end of Year Four: First Semester.
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
3. Remaining Requirements for the Postbaccalaureate Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential
Year Four: Second Semester (16 units)
EED 477B Literacy Instruction and English Language Development for Diverse Learners (3)
EED 480 Science/Social Science Curriculum Methods (4)
EED 578D Student Teaching II (5)
EED 579D Student Teaching Seminar (1)
SPED 420 Designing Equitable Learning Through Universal Design (3)
Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential earned at the end of Year 4: Second Semester.
Total Units Required for the B.A. + Credential: 136
1. Requirements for the Liberal Studies, B.A. – Track B: Education Specialist
Year One: First Semester (15 units)
CADV 150 Foundations of Child and Adolescent Development (3)
LRS 100 Liberal Studies Freshman Seminar: So You Want to be a Teacher (3)
LRS 120 Integrated Arts in Elementary Education (3)
or ART 103 Thinking Through Artmaking (3)
Freshman Composition (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
AFRS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CAS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
CHS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
ENGL 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
GWS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
QS 115 Approaches to University Writing (3)
Speech Communication (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
AFRS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
CAS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
CHS 151 Freshman Speech Communication (3)
COMS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
GWS 151 Fundamentals of Public Speaking (3)
QS 151 Fundamentals of QS Public Speaking (3)
Year One: Second Semester (12 units)
HIST 110 World History to 1500 (3)
MATH 210 Basic Number Concepts (3)
SPED 200SL Introduction to Disability Studies (3)
Ethnic Studies: Introduction to Literature (3 units)
Select one course from:
AAS 220 Survey of Asian American Literature (3)
AFRS 245 African American Literature Since 1930 (3)
CAS 201 Survey of Central American Literature (3)
CHS 201 Survey of Mexican Literature in Translation (3)
Summer: End of Year One (6 units)
United States History (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 271 African American History to 1865 (3)
CHS 245 History of the Americas (3)
HIST 270 The United States to 1865 (3)
United States Government (3 units)
Select one course from:
AFRS 161 American Political Institutions: A Black Perspective (3)
CHS 260 Constitutional Issues and the Chicana/o (3)
POLS 155 American Political Institutions (3)
RS 255 American Political Institutions and Religion (3)
Year Two: First Semester (15 units)
BIOL 102CS/LCS Biological Concepts and Lab (3/1)
ENGL 303/L Introduction to Language, Grammar and Linguistics for Teachers and Lab (2/1)
LRS 200 Scientific Approaches for Future Teachers Seminar (1)
LRS 200L Scientific Approaches for Future Teachers Lab (1)
LRS 210 Applied Scientific Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
SPED 400 Developmental Differences and Implications in Special Education (3)
Year Two: Second Semester (18 units)
ENGL 305 Intermediate Expository Writing (3)
LING 417 Language Development and Acquisition (3)
LRS 250 Philosophical Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
LRS 260 Applied Philosophical Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
Literacy Concentration I
SPED 406 K-12 Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners with Disabilities (3)
Literacy Concentration II
Summer Two (6 units)
GEOG 150 World Geography: People, Places, and Globalization (3)
Select one course from:
GEOG 106LRS The Physical Environment for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
or GEOL 106LRS Earth and Space Science for Liberal Studies Majors (3)
Year Three: First Semester (15 units)
KIN 470/L Physical Education for Children and Lab (2/1)
LRS 300 Interdisciplinary Approaches for Future Teachers I (3)
LRS 310 Applied Interdisciplinary Approaches for Future Teachers (3)
MATH 310 Basic Concepts of Geometry (3)
Select one course from:
Year 3 First Semester Students should apply for admission to the Credential Program.
Year Three: Second Semester (18 units)
EED 472 Mathematics Curriculum and Methods (3)
ENGL 428 Children’s Literature (3)
LRS 425A-Z Selected Topics in Childhood Studies (3)
LRS 457 Arts Integration and Inquiry Capstone (3)
MATH 312 Basic Algebraic Concepts (3)
SPED 511 Assessing Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)
Year 3 Second Semester Students should submit application for Student Teaching.
Year Four: First Semester (14 units)
GEOL 406LRS Liberal Studies Science Experience Capstone (1)
HSCI 465ELM Teaching Health in the Elementary School Classroom (1)
SPED 403MME Early Practicum in Special Education (5)
SPED 416 Educating Diverse Learners with Disabilities and Working with Their Families (3)
SPED 516S Early Practicum Seminar (1)
Literacy Concentration III
SPED 502MME Literacy Intervention for Diverse K-12 Students with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)
2. General Education and Campus Requirements
Liberal Studies majors in Teacher Preparation options satisfy General Education requirements by completion of the major. In addition, students must complete 3 units of coursework to meet the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement. If taken, one of the following courses in the major will also meet the Ethnic Studies (E.S.) requirement: AAS 220, AFRS 245, CAS 201, CHS 201. Students may satisfy the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by completion of ENGL 305 and ENGL 428 (which are required for the major) at CSUN with grades of “C” or better.
3. Additional Units
If needed, additional 0-1 units of elective coursework to complete the 120 unit minimum for the bachelor’s degree.
B.A. in Liberal Studies earned at end of Year Four: First Semester.
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
4. Remaining Requirements for the Postbaccalaureate Preliminary Education Specialist Credential
Year Four: Second Semester (22 units)
SPED 402 Promoting and Supporting a Positive and Inclusive School Climate (3)
SPED 420 Designing Equitable Learning Through Universal Design (3)
SPED 503MME Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Learners with Mild to Extensive Support Needs (3)
SPED 545 Support Strategies for Learners with Physical and Multiple Disabilities (3)
SPED 580MME Student Teaching in Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs (8)
SPED 580S Student Teaching and Advanced Internship Seminar (2)
Preliminary Education Specialist Credential earned at the end of Year 4: Second Semester.
Total Units Required for the B.A. + Credential: 142
Contact
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Liberal Studies
Chair: Ranita Chatterjee
Education Administration (EA) 100
(818) 677-3300
Program Learning Outcomes
Students receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficient knowledge in their area of specialization and a range of disciplines.
- Demonstrate proficiency in multimodal communication.
- Access, evaluate and make use of a range of informational resources.
- Demonstrate a depth of critical thinking.