Objectives

The Liberal Studies program enables the student to meet the teacher preparation standards mandated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The Liberal Studies program curriculum likewise serves the Loyola Marymount University mission.

Liberal Studies Student Learning Outcomes

The Liberal Studies program student will master the content required of professional educators in the State of California, to include:

• Key concepts in the following academic fields: the social sciences and history, the arts and humanities, language studies, mathematics and science, health, physical education, human development, and in an approved academic concentration of the candidate’s choice
• Candidates will demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter by successfully passing the CSET (California Subject Examination for Teachers) at the completion of their coursework;

The Liberal Studies program student will master the skills required of professional educators in the State of California:

• To synthesize subject content in the liberal arts, professional content related to classroom teaching, and educational policies
• To apply reading, writing, and research skills appropriate to the work of the academic disciplines being studied
• To apply academic concepts to practical teaching contexts
• To analyze, reflect on, and evaluate the relationships among academic theories, the practical and applied contexts of teaching, and the multiple and complex needs of students comprising a rich and diverse globe
• Candidates will demonstrate the ability to synthesize and the other skills listed above in an exit interview conducted by the Director of Liberal Studies at the completion of required coursework;

The Liberal Studies program student will value:

• Intellectual inquiry across a range of subjects
• A world view comprising faith, social justice, and a respect for diversity
• The individual’s role as a future educator who will shape the lives of children, local communities, and larger national and global societies.

There are five components to the Liberal Studies major:

Liberal Studies Model Four-Year Plan

The typical course load for an undergraduate student is 15-16 semester hours per semester. The following model represents a student who is completing a 15-semester-hour concentration, does not need to complete any prerequisites for required coursework, and is pursuing the 2042 Multiple Subject teaching credential. Students with larger concentrations, those required to take MATH 101  (or other prerequisite coursework), and/or those seeking credentials in Bilingual or Special Education may need to “overload” during some semesters and/or complete summer coursework. Please note that the model is provided as a guideline rather than a prescriptive course of study. Students will need to be flexible implementing the model plan, given variability of course availability and other potential scheduling issues in any given semester.

Note: This model does not include some School of Education requirements which are not required for the Liberal Studies degree but are required for the teaching credential (i.e., TPAs—Teaching Performance Assessments; Health course requirement). As such requirements relate to the teaching credential and are independent of the Liberal Studies degree, students are advised to consult with the Academic Advisor in the School of Education regarding the coordination and sequencing of specific School of Education requirements.