Liberal Studies prepares students for elementary school teaching in California. The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is among the oldest and largest majors at California State University, Chico and continues the longstanding historical tradition of preparing future teachers and teacher leaders for educational careers.
Liberal Studies students in this interdisciplinary major have a strong knowledge base of multiple disciplines (English, math, science, history/social science, art, music, theatre, physical education, and psychology) and how these disciplines are applied in elementary school settings. Students who complete their BA in liberal studies are well prepared to enter multiple subject credential programs with the goal of teaching in elementary, bilingual Spanish elementary, self-contained classrooms, and special education K-12 school settings.
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is designed to be completed in four years for incoming freshman and two years for incoming transfer students.
Elementary Subject Matter Waiver
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at Chico State is a California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) approved Elementary Subject Matter waiver program. Graduates who successfully complete any of the Liberal Studies options may not be required to take the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subjects in order to enter a credential program in California.
Liberal Studies Options
The general option. Students who select this option will complete a BA in liberal studies in preparation for a Multiple Subject Credential program. The major core courses of the liberal studies program combined with General Education fulfill all of the requirements for establishing subject matter competency for the Elementary Subject Matter Standards. Students may use up to 30 units of electives to complete a minor, a second major, or study abroad. The liberal studies BA is designed to be completed in four years.
The general online option (degree completion for transfer students). Students who select this option will complete a BA in liberal studies fully online in preparation for a Multiple Subject Credential program. Currently, Chico State does not offer an online credential program. Students who select this option must live outside of the city of Chico. This is a degree completion program where lower-division pre-approved equivalent courses are taken at community colleges or other four-year institution. A maximum of 70 units from community colleges will count towards the 120-unit BA degree requirement. A total of 50 units must be taken from Chico State or other four-year institutions, 30 of these units must be taken from Chico State (residency requirement). The 45 units of upper-division major courses can be taken fully online from Chico State.
The bilingual/cross-cultural Spanish option. Students who select this option are interested in teaching in elementary bilingual, or dual-immersion, classroom settings. This option prepares students for admission into the Bilingual Multiple Subject Credential program at Chico State and includes courses in Spanish, Mexican/Latinx history and culture, and the teaching of English as a second language. This option offers interdisciplinary knowledge and hands-on field experiences working with bilingual students and in local elementary school settings.
The multiple subject credential option (ITEP/MS). This is a highly accelerated blended option which integrates a credential program within the undergraduate degree. This option requires a high number of units be taken every semester and is therefore ideal for incoming freshman. Additionally, this option has little to no room for electives, potential minors, or studying abroad during the academic year. Students who are interested in this option should meet with a Liberal Studies advisor to determine if this option is right for them.
The option in liberal arts. This is a non-teaching option. This option is for students who decide teaching is no longer their goal but do not want to change majors. Contact a Liberal Studies advisor for more information.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
The GPA requirement for the BA degree is 2.0 or higher. All courses required for the credential at California State University, Chico credential program must be completed with a grade of C- or higher and with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in order to be recommended for a credential. Courses must be completed within seven years of applying for the credential.
Course Requirements for the Major: 63-107 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Multiple subject credential option must take EDTE 255 or EDTE 265.
Major Option Course Requirements
Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
The General Option
The Liberal Studies program of required major core courses combined with General Education fulfills all of the requirements for establishing subject matter competency for the Elementary Subject Matter Standards. These standards have been established by the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing as preparation to enter a credential program or take credential courses. Students may use electives to complete a minor or another major or study abroad.
The Online Degree Completion
Students who select this option must live outside of the city of Chico. This is a degree completion program where lower division pre-approved equivalent courses are taken at community colleges or other four-year institutions. The 45 units of upper division major courses are online from California State University, Chico. A total of 50 units must be taken from Chico State or other four-year institutions. Only 70 units from community colleges will count towards the 120 unit BA degree requirement. Online students are encouraged to contact an advisor early to have equivalents approved. Some online courses are only offered once a year. Students must contact their advisor each semester for mandatory advising.
The Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Option: 16-20 units
This option requires students to complete the major core course requirements and also complete 16-20 units of language and culture courses listed below.
SPAN 201 may be waived through demonstrated language competence or high school or community college study. Consult with the Languages and Cultures department for placement.
The Multiple Subject Credential (ITEP) Option: 44 units
This option is for students who want to graduate with both a BA in Liberal Studies and a multiple subject teaching credential. The option requires students to take the major core courses and complete the 44 credential program units offered by the School of Education. The total number of units is 134 for the BA and multiple subject credential. For prerequisites, course lists, GPA requirement, and other admission requirements (application to the program, application dates, etc.), see the Multiple Subject Credential page.
The Liberal Arts Option
For the Liberal Arts option, students complete the major course requirements of 63 units listed above. This option is designed for students who begin with the intention to teach but decide they are no longer interested in pursuing a teaching credential, yet want a broad liberal arts and sciences degree. A minor or second major is highly recommended for this option. It is important to see a Liberal Studies advisor for help in planning your program.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
Students working toward a credential may use credential program prerequisite courses as elective units towards the Liberal Studies degree.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 48 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Requirements and course offerings.
This major has approved GE modifications. See below for information on how to apply these modifications.
SCED 141 is an approved major course substitution for Physical Science (B1).
SCED 142 is an approved major course substitution for Life Science (B2).
SCED 343 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning (UD-B).
ENGL 341 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Arts and Humanities (UD-C).
HIST 333 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Social Sciences (UD-D).
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
For Liberal Studies majors these requirements are met by successful completion of HIST 101 and SOSC 302.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
Any upper-division Writing (W) course.
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
