LIBERAL STUDIES

Joanna Baker, Program Coordinator

LIBERAL STUDIES MAJOR AND TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAM

The Liberal Studies program has been designed primarily for students seeking licensure to teach multiple subjects in Elementary, Middle or Special Education. The major in Liberal Studies provides a solid background in the main areas taught in Elementary and Middle Schools: the language arts, social sciences, mathematics, and the sciences. Faculty from a variety of Arts and Sciences disciplines have worked with faculty from the College of Education and Human Services to develop the program and coordinate it with the sequences of education courses leading to Elementary (P,K-6), Middle (6-8) and Special Education licensure. The program is also intended to develop broadly informed individuals who understand contemporary issues, and will provide civic and professional leadership.

*** Students not seeking licensure can complete the major by adding a minor in any Arts and Sciences discipline or in Economics.

Since the Liberal Studies major and most of the Education Course sequence are required in common for both elementary and middle school endorsements, students wishing to teach are encouraged to consider seeking both endorsements simultaneously. Separate licensure is, however, available for either elementary (PK-6) or middle grades (6-8).

Every attempt has been made to state the major and minor requirements as clearly as possible. However, every student majoring in the program must maintain close communication with an academic advisor to plan and schedule the program. Faculty in the program are also happy to assist each student in this and in defining career goals and expectations.

The major in Liberal Studies is administered through the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students interested in discussing or enrolling in the program should consult with the Program Coordinator.

NOTE: The program does not guarantee that all of the courses listed will be offered every semester.

LIBERAL STUDIES MAJOR, BA, BS

A. General Education Core Requirements. 41 credits

Goal 12: Sociology 320 required
Goal 13: Philosophy 308 required
Goal 15: Satisfied by EDUC 370 practicum or an internship in the minor.

POSC 150 will meet Goal 8 and is required for teaching licensure.

B. Additional Degree Requirements for the BA and BS are included in the major. Students seeking the BA may take Modern Language at the 202 level or above for the three-credit elective in the program.

C. LIBERAL STUDIES MAJOR, Elementary Endorsement (PK-6)/ 47 credits

ENGLISH/ 9 credits

NATURAL SCIENCES/ 11 credits

SOCIAL SCIENCES/ 9 credits

MATHEMATICS/ 9 credits

FINE ARTS/ 3 credits

HEALTH / KINESIOLOGY/ 3 credits

ELECTIVE/ 3 credits from the following:

D. EDUCATION/ 40 credits

* Students must earn a “Pass” in EDUC 299 (Admission to Teacher Prep) before they will be permitted to enroll in any subsequent 300-400 level EDUC courses.

Professional Semester:

E. LIBERAL STUDIES MAJOR, ENDORSEMENT TO TEACH BOTH ELEMENTARY (PK-6) AND MIDDLE GRADES (6-8)/55-62 credits.
Since most courses required for middle school endorsement are also required for elementary endorsement, students are encouraged to consider seeking both simultaneously. Students seeking elementary endorsement who wish to add an endorsement to teach at the middle school level, grades 6-8, must complete the following in addition to the Liberal Studies and Education courses above:

Designated courses in two of the following subject areas:

ENGLISH

MATHEMATICS

NATURAL SCIENCE

SOCIAL SCIENCE

 F. LIBERAL STUDIES MAJOR, MIDDLE SCHOOL ENDORSEMENT ONLY (Grades 6-8: Two subjects) 36-44 credits
Candidates for Middle School licensure only must have concentrations in two of the following areas: English, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. They must also have a required minimum number of courses in the areas in which they do not concentrate. The following lists requirements for candidates concentrating and not concentrating in each of the four areas:

ENGLISH:

MATHEMATICS:

NATURAL SCIENCES:

 SOCIAL SCIENCES

EDUCATION/40 credits. Candidates for Middle Grades Licensure only must complete the following Education courses

* Students must earn a “Pass” in EDUC 299 (Admission to Teacher Prep) before they will be permitted to enroll in any subsequent 300-400 level EDUC course.

Professional Semester:

G. SPECIAL EDUCATION ENDORSEMENT (L/D, E/BD, Mild MR), grades N,K-12, 41 credits. Students desiring to teach Special Education on the K-12 level will need to complete the five-year Liberal Studies/Special Education degree programs. The Liberal Studies major for Special Education is the same as the major for Elementary Education, and students should follow the General Education and Liberal Studies major guidelines in the Elementary Education section. A BA or BS degree in Liberal Studies will be awarded upon completion of the fourth year and a M.S. degree in Special Education will be awarded upon completion of the fifth year. Students will not be endorsed to teach special education until the completion of the fifth year. See Special Education requirements.

H. MINOR/18-24 credits. Students who are not seeking a teaching endorsement must select a minor in one of the Liberal Arts and Sciences or in Economics. At least six credits in the Minor must be at the 300/400 level. Students selecting this option may substitute a 3 credit Humanities course at the 300/400 level for ENGL 380 and a 3 credit Sociology course at the 300/400 level for SOCL 320. Electives 10-16 credits.

I. Total credits required for a BA or BS with Elementary Teaching Endorsement/128.

Total credits required for a BA or BS with Elementary and Middle School Teaching Endorsements/133-142.

Total credits required for a BA or BS with Middle School Teaching Endorsement in two concentrations: 120-125.

Total credits required for a BA or BS with Special Education Teaching Endorsement/127.

Total credits required for a BA or BS with a Minor in an Arts and Sciences discipline or Economics/120.