Liberal Studies Major Requirements B.A. Degree

All courses taken as part of the major must be approved by the Liberal Studies advisor during the official advisement period.  Students in the Undergraduate Concurrent Program of Teacher Preparation take courses for the major concurrently with additional courses to prepare for elementary teaching.  For those considering elementary teaching, advisor guidance is essential for appropriate course selection and sequencing, both for the Liberal Arts Core Education (LACE) curriculum and for the Liberal Studies major. Given the breadth and scope of the Liberal Studies Major, required courses may double count for LACE requirements, as approved by the MSMU Curriculum Committee.

Students completing a bachelor’s degree that includes each of the required courses listed below, with a grade of C- or above, will have a notation on their transcript that the Mount’s California Commission on Teacher Credentialing-approved Elementary Subject Matter Program of study has been completed.  The Elementary Subject Matter Program serves as one way to demonstrate academic preparation for the California Multiple Subjects (Elementary) Teacher Credential.

The program of study for the Liberal Studies Major consists of a balance of coursework from each of the areas below, differentiating it from other liberal arts or interdisciplinary majors. 

Language

• 3 units in composition (ENG 103, taken concurrently with HIS 102)
• 3 units in linguistics (ENG 102, taken concurrently with EDU 105)
• One course in children's literature (ENG 134)
• 3 units in literature (upper division and meeting GE 5D Women and Gender recommended)

Mathematics

• 6 units in mathematics (MTH 50 and MTH 51)

Science

• 3 units in a biological science (BIO 67)
• 4-5 units in physical science, including the study of physics, chemistry, space and earth science (PHS 1 or PHS 2A; and PHS 2B)
• 3 units in health science or life science (BIO 10)

Social Science and History

• 6 units in U.S. history and government. (HIS 102, taken concurrently with ENG 103)

  and POL 1 (Candidates for the California teaching credential must complete 2 units of study of the U.S. Constitution.)

• 3 units in world history (HIS 3/HIS 103 or HIS 2A)
• 3 units in cultural geography (HIS 25)
• 3 units in California history (HIS 188)

Fine Arts

• 4 units in art (ART 2 or ART 7/ART 107 or ART 181; and ART 145)
• 4 units in music (MUS 6/MUS 106 or MUS 16/MUS 116; or MUS 17/MUS 117, or MUS 42/MUS 142 or MUS 144; and MUS 130)
• 1 unit in drama and dance (INT 194A)

Physical and Health Education

• 1 unit in physical and health education (INT 196)

Human Development

• 6 units in human or child and adolescent development (EDU 13 or PSY 12 or PSY 13 or PSY 15; and PSY 113 or EDU 151B)

Education

• EDU 100 Introduction to Liberal Studies (1)
• EDU 101 Exploration of Liberal Studies (1)
• EDU 102 Integrative Seminar in Liberal Studies (2)
• EDU 104 Transformative Science in Schools (2)

EDU 100, EDU 101, and EDU 102 provide opportunities for students to reflect on their integrative program of study and are required for candidates in the concurrent program of teacher preparation with a Liberal Studies major. 

*EDU 101 and EDU 102 fulfill the capstone requirement for Liberal Studies. EDU 101 and EDU 102 are still required for majors who withdraw from the concurrent program of teacher preparation unless they take a general education, three-unit LACE capstone course in their place (if available).

Students in the Liberal Studies Major complete  

• a subject matter portfolio demonstrating knowledge and skills in the areas of study included in the major. 

• a California Commission-approved Elementary Subject Matter Waiver Program which allows coursework to replace the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) requirement for a Preliminary Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential. 

The passage of A.B. 130 (July 2021) authorized the posting of a B.A. degree in Liberal Studies on an official transcript to clear for the required documentation of subject matter competence of the Multiple Subject Credential. Students who desire flexibility in their program and/or wish to complete a major in another discipline while earning a California Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential may take the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET for elementary, Multiple Subjects). Passing scores are required for enrollment in supervised teaching. Speak with the program advisor for program planning and additional details.