
Whitney Wall Bortz, Ph.D.
School of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences
Explore Liberal Studies, B.A.
Liberal studies is tailor made for the student who wants to explore it all. From social science to physical education, Spanish to science, you’ll gain a broad education in the humanities and an ability to communicate effectively to a broad array of audiences.
In wide-ranging courses you’ll participate in creative drama and group improvisation, explore how California became a political-trendsetter among states, understand how to analyze data and learn the Kodaly method for teaching music in the classroom.
This interdisciplinary program is especially designed to prepare you for teaching at the elementary school level. Regardless of the concentration in science or in Spanish, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge required to enter a multiple subject teacher credential program.
Students must choose an area of concentration. 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. Concentrations may overlap with a minor.
Within the context of the Fresno Pacific Idea, the liberal studies major at Fresno Pacific University exists to prepare people with a foundation of knowledge needed to become community builders, peacemakers and advocates for change in roles requiring broad liberal arts scholarship. The major seeks to build:
The liberal studies major is an interdisciplinary major that provides the content background for multiple subject candidates wishing to enter teacher education programs for teaching at the elementary level in the state of California. Additionally, the liberal studies major provides a rounded course of study in the liberal arts appropriate for preparation in numerous vocations.
Students must prepare a senior project in their last semester prior to graduation that is reviewed by undergraduate faculty and professional educators. In addition, students planning to enter the FPU teacher education program must maintain a GPA of 2.75 or better during their baccalaureate program. Grades of D+ or below are not accepted in general education, major courses or concentration courses.
The liberal studies major meets the elementary subject matter requirement for entry into a credential program in the state of California. Therefore, liberal studies majors no longer must pass the CSET prior to receiving a multiple-subject credential.
Main Campus Fresno
Concentrations permit the candidate to specialize in areas of interest and depth. All students must complete a concentration of 12 or more units, a minor, or a double major. Once declared, the minor or double major replaces the need for a concentration.
Each of the seven concentration options (art, English, math, physical education, science, social science, and Spanish) should prepare students to apply for a supplementary authorization in the subject area. This means that if the student goes on to apply for a multiple-subjects credential, these courses will allow the student to apply for an authorization to teach the chosen content area in a single-subject position through the ninth grade.
Note: The supplementary authorizations are granted by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Thus, FPU cannot guarantee that this authorization will be granted.
Whether you're a high school student, transfer student or parent, you'll find all the resources you need including application steps, tuition & financial aid, transfer and orientation information.
Fresno Pacific University’s accepted students have average GPAs of 3.2-3.6. Please speak with an admission counselor to discuss your eligibility.
All application materials should be submitted online or mailed to:
Office of Undergraduate Admission
Fresno Pacific University
1717 S. Chestnut Ave. #2005
Fresno, CA 93702
ugadmis@fresno.edu
Elementary Teacher Education (AA-T) to Liberal Studies, B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
For those students who have applied to FPU’s traditional undergraduate program within the past 2 years and did not attend. Students who applied more than 2 years ago will need to resubmit a full application for admission:
Former FPU students who have not been enrolled in and/or have not submitted a leave of absence form for the previous semester are required to re-apply for admission to FPU:
Students interested in taking classes, usually for personal or professional development, or to transfer to another institution, and is not interested in a degree from FPU. Non-degree students are not eligible for federal, state or institutional aid. Other requirements, class limits and pre-requisites may apply. See the academic catalog for more information:
Students wishing to audit a class at FPU may apply for audit status. Audit classes are not eligible for financial aid and students will not receive course credit.
Earning a degree in four years allows you to get a head start on achieving your goals of entering the work force or starting graduate school. FPU guarantees graduation within four years in the traditional undergraduate areas of study. We commit to providing the courses, advising, instruction and preparation. If you fulfill your responsibilities and are unable to graduate in four years, you will receive the needed courses the following semester at no cost in tuition or fees.
This guarantee is limited to basic graduation requirements of 120 minimum units including general education, upper-level and elective courses sufficient for a single major with no minor.
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.
Total Cost Item | Amount |
---|---|
12-18 units (full time) per year | $34,960 |
Student body fee | $598 |
Total Tuition and Fees | $35,548 |
Room | $5,018 |
Board | $5,130 |
Total Tuition, Fees & Board | $45,696 |
Per-Unit Costs | Amount |
---|---|
Per unit / Overload | $1,248 |
Summer Session | $500 |
Private Music Instruction | $400 |
Total Cost Item | Amount |
---|---|
12-18 units (full time) per year | $33,614 |
Student body fee | $574 |
Total Tuition and Fees | $34,188 |
Room and Board | $8,884 |
Total Tuition, Fees & Board | $43,072 |
Per-Unit Costs | Amount |
---|---|
Per unit / Overload | $1,218 |
Summer Session | $400 |
Private Music Instruction | $400 |
Total Cost Item | Amount |
---|---|
12-18 units (full time) per year | $32,954 |
Student body fee | $498 |
Total Tuition and Fees | $33,452 |
Room and Board | $8,710 |
Total Tuition, Fees & Board | $42,162 |
Per-Unit Costs | Amount |
---|---|
Per unit / Overload | $1,177 |
Summer Session | $300 |
Private Music Instruction | $400 |
Module* | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Modules | $4,313 | $4,313 |
Jost Modules | $4,619 | $4,619 |
* Full Access Meal Plan Included in Cost (Full Access Required)
Suites & Houses | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Room only | $2,068 | $2,068 |
Room-70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $2,719 | $2,719 |
Room - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,276 | $3,276 |
Room - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) | $4,400 | $4,400 |
Jost Hall (4 person), Willow Gardens (4 person) & Kriegbaum Apartments (3 person) | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Apartment - Room only | $2,694 | $2,694 |
Apartment - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,345 | $3,345 |
Apartment - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,902 | $3,902 |
Apartment - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) | $5,026 | $5,026 |
Willow Gardens & Jost Hall Apartments: 3 Person | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
Apartments - Room only | $3,306 | $3,306 |
Apartments - 70 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $3,958 | $3,958 |
Apartments - 140 Block Meal Plan (included in cost) | $4,514 | $4,514 |
Apartments - Full Access Meal Plan (included in cost) | $5,639 | $5,639 |
Stand-Alone Meal Plans | Fall | Spring |
---|---|---|
70 Block | $651 | $651 |
140 Block | $1,208 | $1,208 |
Full Access Meal Plan | $2,332 | $2,332 |
* Residents living in the Houses or Willow Gardens Apartments may stay over Christmas break at no extra charge providing they are returning for spring semester. Otherwise, residents must check out at the regular fall check-out dates.
If you have questions that pertain specifically to housing or what housing you qualify for, please contact Residence Life at (559) 453-5696. Or visit our website at studentlife.fresno.edu/living-campus.
Based on a student’s academic GPA. Academic GPA’s are calculated by FPU on a weighted, 4.0 scaled and based on core academic classes in grades 10-12. Renewable if a minimum GPA is maintained.
Name | GPA | Amount |
---|---|---|
Paragon | Full Tuition | |
President's | 4.00 GPA and above | $18,000 |
Dean's | 3.75-3.99 GPA | $15,000 |
Heritage | 3.50-3.75 GPA | $14,000 |
Faculty | 3.25-3.49 GPA | $12,000 |
Founder's | Below a 3.0 GPA | $8,000 |
To be considered for a Transfer Academic Scholarship, you must have 12 or more transferable, post-high school units. GPA’s are based on transferable units and calculated by FPU.
Name | GPA | Amount |
---|---|---|
Transfer Scholar | 3.50 GPA and above | $14,000 |
Transfer Achievement | 3.0-3.49 GPA | $10,000 |
Transfer Academic | 2.40-2.99 GPA | $7,500 |
Transfer Partnership | Below a 2.4 GPA | $6,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
Athletic | $500 to Full Tuition |
Music | $400 to $10,000 |
Theatre Arts | $500 to $4,000 |
Art/Design | $500 to $4,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
FPU Possibilities Scholarship | Full Tuition |
Church Match | $500 to $1,500 |
International Scholarship | up to $6,000 |
Mennonite Brethren Award | $4,000 |
Out of State Student Scholarship | $4,000 |
Other Awards | $100 to $10,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
Cal Grant A | $9,358 |
Cal Grant B | $1,648 |
Pell Grants | $750 to $7,395 |
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant | $1,000 |
Name | Amount |
---|---|
Federal Direct | $3,500 to $7,500 |
PLUS Loan | Up to remaining cost |
Workstudy | Contingent on employment |
Alumni, parents, friends, businesses and foundations have generously provided a special set of scholarships available to students attending Fresno Pacific.
Alexandra Green
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.
Now that you’ve seen the financial aid opportunities available to FPU students, we can estimate what your true cost may be to attend Fresno Pacific. Please keep in mind that this is just a computer generated, general estimate and may not capture all aid available, please work with your FPU Student Financial Services advisor to discover your true net price.
With a degree in liberal studies, you'll gain the versatility to apply your studies to almost any desired career field. However, you'll also be well equipped to continue in your education to become an elementary school teacher, having met the course content required for the multiple subject teacher credential.
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.