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Liberal Arts, B.A.

School of Education

Explore Liberal Arts, B.A.

When your love for learning inspires the next generation,
the possibilities are endless.

Liberal Arts is both a generalist degree and ideal preparation for teacher credentialing. It provides a solid foundation in the humanities as well as practical skills.

Experienced faculty, with a genuine love for their subject matter, create a stimulating interdisciplinary learning environment. You’ll explore an array of topics – from California’s history to young adult literature to fundamentals of art – giving you a broad foundation of knowledge.

The new California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC www.ctc.ca.gov)-approved program incorporates courses that will allow you to waive the CSET multiple subject exam. A new science concentration expands your teaching career opportunities to the middle and high school grades with STEM pathways.

Through the study of the liberal arts, you’ll discover a love of learning.

Program Highlights

  • Choose between face-to-face or fully online program options
  • Meet for class one night per week
  • Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 adult students
  • Engage diverse classmates from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds
  • Study under experienced faculty and who assign relevant coursework
  • Waive the multiple subject CSET exam with newly incorporated courses

Catalog

Program Director: Laura Gonzalez, Ed.D.

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is an accelerated degree completion major designed for students interested in a broad, multi-disciplinary education. This major includes coursework in the areas required by the state of California to meet subject matter competency for individuals pursuing a multiple subject teaching credential. Accordingly, the program is recommended for those interested in teaching at the elementary school level, as well as those desiring a liberal arts education relevant to many other careers in education, government, non-profits and health care service among others. Core courses are blended and meet one evening per week for four hours in a cohort setting with additional on-line assignments. Courses are typically six weeks in length.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements include a minimum 2.4 GPA, two years postsecondary experience and 60 transferable units of credit.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will relate to others through a variety of communication and information literacy skills to convey information; dialogue and engage over thoughts, ideas, and discovery; influence others through the oral and written word; and inspire life-long learning and inquiry in self and others.
  2. Students will explain and summarize applicable, foundational content knowledge and scholarship in the disciplines of the natural, social, and applied sciences, the humanities, and education.
  3. Students will assess moral and ethical values in personal behavior; express an understanding of the values and beliefs of diverse individuals and groups; and choose a personal worldview that reflects the inter-connectedness of life, learning, and Christian faith.
  4. Students will value critical thinking skills to solve problems, change environments, promote social justice, and choose self-management; describe the servant leadership perspective and self-directedness of professionals who contribute to their community; appraise a personal transformation; and conduct professional relationships in a civil and collegial manner.

Credit-Bearing Grades

Students must earn a C- or higher to receive credit for their liberal arts courses. Exceptions: Students may receive credit for BIB 314 and BIB 438, as well as any other general education or elective course, with a D -.

Locations Offered

North Fresno, Merced, Visalia and Bakersfield Campuses.

2 Year

BA Liberal Arts (DC)    BA Liberal Arts - Science Concentration (DC) 

General Education

  • BIB 314 - Jesus and the Christian Community Credits 3 take prior to BIB 438 

Additional General Education Requirements

See General Education: Degree Completion Students  

Lower-Division Major

  • MATH 136 - Mathematics Concepts I Credits 3
  • MATH 137 - Mathematics Concepts II Credits 3
  • HIST 122 - Western Civilization I Credits 3
  • BIOL 125 - Introduction to Biology Credits 3
  • CHEM 100 - Introductory Chemistry Credits 3
  • PHYS 106 - Physical Science Credits 3
  • PHYS 151 - Geology and Planet Earth Credits 3

Required Courses (40 Units)

All of the following courses must be completed at FPU:

  • LA 381 - Introduction to Teaching Credits 3
  • ART 301 - Art Fundamentals Credits 3
  • HIST 421 - American Ethnicity and Pluralism Credits 3
  • HIST 441 - California History and Politics Credits 3
  • LIT 467 - Literature for Children and Young Adults Credits 3
  • LANG 331 - Linguistics and Modern Grammar Credits 3
  • LANG 311 - Principles of Language Acquisition Credits 3
  • BIB 438 - Biblical Perspectives for Educators Credits 3
  • PSY 352 - Advanced Child Growth and Development Credits 3
  • THTR 357 - Creative Drama Credits 3
  • KIN 321 - Theory of Physical Education Credits 3
  • LA 415 - Senior Research Seminar Credits 4

Electives

Elective units as needed to meet the Bachelor of Arts minimum.

Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education

You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.

First Steps to Admission

  • Submit an application for admission (online or visit campus for a paper application)
    * There is a $40 application fee, which may be waived if you meet with a representative.
  • Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
    • GED Transcripts OR any AA, AS, AS-T, AA-T from an accredited College or University as proof of High School graduation
    • This includes any military transcripts you may have, along with your military release forms (DD214).​​
  • Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253)
    Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans.
  • Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 sfs@fresno.edu

Requirements

  • 2 years of post-secondary experience
  • Minimum 2.4 GPA
  • 60 transferable baccalaureate-level units
  • Check your specific program's requirements

*Applicants who do not meet the admissions requirements may be considered for admission by the Admission Selection Committee. Additional documents may be required. Please ask your Admission Representative for details.

Program Requirements

  • Minimum 2.4 GPA
  • 60 transferable baccalaureate-level units
  • Two years post-secondary experience

Program co-requisites*

  • HIST 122 Western Civilization I
  • MATH 136 Mathematical Concepts I
  • MATH 137 Mathematical Concepts I
  • PHYS 106 Physical Science
  • PHYS 151 Geology and Planet Earth
  • BIOL 125 Introduction to Biology
  • CHEM 100 Introductory Chemistry

*These co-requisite courses are required for graduation and it is strongly recommended that students complete these courses prior to beginning the cohort.

Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information

Elementary Teacher Education (AA-T) to Liberal Arts B.A.

BA courses fulfilled through ADT:

  • All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
  • BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
    • MATH 136   Mathematics Concepts I (3)
  • This program is offered as evening accelerated

ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.

Transfer Agreements

The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:

  • Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
  • Baccalaureate-level courses
  • Grade of C- or better
  • Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
  • All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
  • No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
  • Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements

View full transfer policy Find agreements for your school State Fire Training Agreement

*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the FPU Registrar’s Office.

Non-traditional Admission

Steps for Re-admission

To reenter into the Degree Completion program within 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to complete the Degree Completion Re-admission Form. An academic advisor will determine if the student may reenter and if any conditions apply for readmission. The student will be charged at the current tuition rate for any course repeated.

*Note: If student is readmitting after 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to refer to “First Steps to Admission".

Steps for Non-matriculated Admission

The non-matriculated application is for people who are interested in taking baccalaureate classes through the Degree Completion program, but are not seeking to be admitted into that program. Students must complete this Non-matriculated Application Form only once in order to be qualified to take courses. Applicants must also meet the two-year post-secondary experience requirement to take these courses. Financial Aid is not available, and the course limit is six units per semester with a limit of two semesters total.

For more information, or for help filling out this application, please contact Graduate and Degree Completion Admissions at (559) 453-3690.

Two-year Graduation Guarantee

FPU Degree Completion program guarantees you can complete your degree in just two years. If you meet the qualification requirements, fulfill your responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete your major in a 2-yr. period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete your undergraduate degree.

Incoming requirements
  • Have at least 60 transferable units 
  • Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Have most of your general education courses complete
  • Enroll in an average of 15 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
  • Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
  • Make up units for any failed courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15 units per semester.
  • Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major/minor requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
    • Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester timeframe.
    • Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
  • Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
* If you are transferring to FPU from the California Community College system with an AA-T or AS-T, your FPU lower-division general education [GE] requirements may be fulfilled. 

Two-Year Transfer Guarantee for ADT Pathways

FPU guarantees a student with an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) from the California Community College system, can complete their degree in just two years. If a student meets the qualification requirements, fulfills the responsibilities under the program, and are unable to complete their major in a 2-year period, FPU will assume all additional tuition costs needed to complete their undergraduate degree at FPU.

Incoming requirements
  • 60 transferable units [grades of C- or better] from the California Community College system with a completed ADT (Associate Degree for Transfer)
  • Selected an ADT matched (similar) pathway from FPU’s undergraduate degree programs
  • Have completed the necessary pre-requisites in the discipline specific to intended major
  • Have at least a 2.4 transfer GPA
Student responsibilities
To qualify for the guarantee students must:
  • Enroll in an average of 15- 18 units per semester; not including repeated courses.
  • Remain in good academic standing by maintaining an institutional grade point average of 2.0 or higher
  • Enroll in the required number of consecutive semesters: 3-4 semesters depending on number of units transferred in
  • Make up units for any failed or withdrawn courses during the guarantee period, which may require you to take more than 15-18 units per semester
    • For TUG you may have to enroll in a summer semester.
  • Fulfill all graduation requirements, including core curriculum, major requirements, and upper division course work requirements.
    • Two Year Guarantee: complete enough upper division courses to have at least 40 upper division units by the end of the 4-semester time frame.
  • Take all required courses during the semester recommended by your Academic Advisor.
  • Register for all upcoming courses during the registration period.
  • Any courses from a Community College with “D+” or lower are non-transferable and require additional courses and semesters to graduate.
  • This guarantee may not apply to students starting in a spring or summer semester start (TUG only).
  • This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements: 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major.

State Authorization

State authorization is a federal requirement in the HigherEducation Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. Fresno Pacific University works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, Fresno Pacific University has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but six states: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Wisconsin.

For the latest updates on the status of FPU's authorization in your state, contact your FPU Admissions representative.

Cost & Financial Aid

The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in education your journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.

Tuition & Financial Aid

2022-23
Tuition per Unit Amount
SW, ECD, LA, BM, OL, EMGT, PMGT $530
HCA, RN to BSN, CIS, CRIM, CML $505
General Ed and Electives $530
Other Costs Amount
Student services fee (per semester) $100
2021-22
Tuition per Unit Amount
SW, ECD, LA, BM, OL $520
HCA, RN to BSN, CIS, CRIM, CML $495
General Ed and Electives $520
Other Costs Amount
Student services fee (per semester) $100

* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary. 

Types of aid

Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.

Photo of Alexandra Green

Alexandra Green

Mathematics

The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.

Career Opportunities

This program will equip you to pursue a credential or graduate studies in education, as well as a variety of careers in business, government agencies, and nonprofit or faith-based organizations.

Career Possibilities

  • Teacher
  • Tutor
  • Communications specialist
  • Human resources specialist
  • Manager

Career Development Happens Here

The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.

  • Resume writing classes
  • Career assessments, exploration & planning
  • Job search and networking opportunities
  • and much more

Visit the Career Development Center