The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies can be completed in four years using electives for minors, study abroad, or adding a second major. The accelerated Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Multiple Subjects Credential Option (ITEP) allows students to complete the liberal studies BA and the Multiple Subjects Credential in four years.
Elementary Subject Matter Waiver
The liberal studies major at Chico State is a CCTC approved Elementary Subject Matter waiver program. Graduates who successfully complete the following teaching 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.
General option
General option (online degree completion)
Bilingual/cross-cultural Spanish option
Multiple subjects/credential/BA option
Students who select the liberal arts option (non-teaching, non-credential) will be required to take the Multiple Subjects CSET exams if they choose to enter a multiple subject credential program.
Liberal Studies Options
General option (on campus). Students who select this option will complete a BA in liberal studies in preparation for a Multiple Subjects 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.
General option (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 Chico State. 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 a Liberal Studies advisor early to have equivalents approved. Some online courses may be offered once a year. Students must contact their Liberal Studies advisor each semester for mandatory advising. Current Chico State students may transfer into the online program if they move out of the area and want to complete their degree. For more information, contact a Liberal Studies advisor.
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 Subjects 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.
Multiple Subjects Credential Option (ITEP/MS). The Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) is a collaboration between the Liberal Studies Program and the School of Education. The Liberal Studies Program provides the Elementary Subject Matter courses approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The School of Education provides the Multiple Subject Credential courses approved by California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
This credential option is for students who wish to complete their BA in liberal studies and receive a Multiple Subjects Credential at the same time during their undergraduate degree. This option may be completed in four years as an undergraduate.
Liberal Studies program advisors advise students in the liberal studies core major requirements and verify that the Elementary Subject Matter (ESM) requirements have been met. The major core courses, completed with a minimum GPA, lead to a waiver letter verifying Elementary Subject Matter competence.
Upon the completion of the core courses required for the major, students are directed to apply to the Multiple Subjects Credential Program in the School of Education. Credential advising through the School of Education will ensure the necessary courses required to receive a teaching credential are offered and completed successfully. The Multiple Subjects Credential option courses are offered through the School of Education. For prerequisites, course lists, and other admission requirements (application to the program, application dates, etc.), see the School of Education website.
Elementary Subject Matter preparation, as well as credential requirements, are governed by state legislative action and approval of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Requirements may change between catalogs. Please consult with your advisor for current information.
Liberal arts option. 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.
Course Requirements for the Major: 63-106 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.
Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
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.
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.
Bilingual/Cross-Cultural Option: 23 units
This option requires students to complete the major core course requirements and also complete 23 units of language and culture courses listed below.
Multiple Subjects Credential (ITEP) Option: 43 units
This option is for students who want to graduate with both a BA in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subjects teaching credential. The program requires students to take the major core courses and complete the 43 credential program units offered by the School of Education. The total number of units is 133 for the BA and Multiple Subject Credential. For prerequisites, course lists, and other admission requirements (application to the program, application dates, etc.), see the Multiple Subject Credential page.
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).
SOSC 302 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 U.S. 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.
