The liberal studies major provides a broad course of study, which can serve as a foundation for meeting a wide range of futures goals-graduate study, career development, community service, etc. It is especially designed, however, for students interested in teaching at the elementary school level: courses for the major cover the content required for multiple-subject teacher credential candidates.

This major offers a Fast Track option, offering a semester of teacher education preparation. Students choosing this option will complete the degree fully credentialed and ready to start teaching a full semester ahead of other students.

A bachelor's degree in liberal studies is versatile, and can be applied to almost any desired career field. It is extremely valuable to students pursuing a teaching career at the elementary level.

Fast Track Program

Liberal studies students who are planning to become elementary teachers are invited to apply from as early as the end of their freshmen year to as late as the end of their junior year for a fast track program that allows them to complete their bachelor's degree  with a block semester of teacher education preparation. The fast track program prepares students to enter the job market as fully credentialed teachers a semester earlier than other candidates.

Applications are available from the liberal studies director or liberal studies mentors/advisors. Criteria for acceptance into the program include:

1.      Cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of entry into the program and at the time of entry into the teacher education semester.

2.      At least one semester at FPU of at least 15 or more units with a GPA of 3.0.

3.      Personal interview with the program director of liberal studies and with the professor of selected concentration.

4.      Filing and completing a plan for early experiences with children.

5.      Filing and completing an academic plan that completes all general education  and major requirements before the teacher education semester with less than 124 units.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

When choosing general education courses (see General Education Program section), liberal studies students should select the following:

BIOL-101L        Principles of Biology (4)

PHYS-105L       Physical Science (4)

PHYS-150        Earth Science (3)

HIST-150          American Civilization (4)

LIT-180            Introduction to Literature (3)

PE-120             Dance Movement (1)

REQUIRED COURSES (15 courses, 42 units)

ART-300L         Art Fundamentals (3)

DRA-355          Creative Drama (3)

HIST-440          California History and Politics (4)

ENV-150           Introduction to Environmental Studies (4)

LA-380             Learning Communities (1)

LANG-310        First and Second Language Acquisition (3)

LANG-340        Introduction to Linguistics (3)

LIT-465            Literature for Children and Young Adults (3)

MATH-132        Arithmetic and Data Analysis (3)

MATH-134        Algebraic Thinking and Geometry (3)

MUS-305          Music in the Classroom (3)

KIN-460            Elementary Physical Education Methods (3)

PSY-350           Child Development (3)

SOC-310          Cultural Communities of California (3)

  or SOC-410    American Ethnicity and Pluralism (3)

select one of the following concentrations/minors

Concentrations permit the candidate to specialize in areas of interest and depth. All students must complete a concentration of 12 or more units in one discipline or area of study.  Concentration requirements may overlap with a minor.