Liberal Studies

Subject Matter Preparation for Elementary Teaching Candidates

Description of the Major: The Liberal Studies program is a multi-disciplinary major designed for those preparing to become elementary teachers. Unlike most other majors at Westmont, the Liberal Studies major requires students to develop themselves in a wide range of academic fields. Although some courses are designed specifically with teacher candidates in mind, the primary emphasis of the program is to develop candidates’ subject matter expertise.

Westmont’s Liberal Studies program is recognized by California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing as a state-approved Elementary Subject Matter program. As such, it is designed, among other purposes, to prepare prospective elementary school teachers for the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), required as of 2003 for entry into a state-approved credential program.

Typically, students completing the Liberal Studies major go on immediately to enroll in a one-year Multiple Subject (K-6) credential program. For information on Westmont’s Credential programs, refer to Education, p. 92.

Distinctive Features: With proper planning, students may complete the liberal studies major (including Westmont’s general education requirements) and the teacher preparation program in four years, beginning their professional careers immediately after receiving the B.A. degree.

Careful, one-on-one advising guides Liberal Studies students at Westmont through the sometimes bewildering maze of California requirements leading to a teaching credential. Program personnel are consistently available and responsive to individual student questions.

Field placements in local elementary schools throughout the Liberal Studies major help to prepare students for the demands of a teaching credential program and the responsibilities of full-time teaching.

For Liberal Studies students continuing into the Credential Program, a scholarship for all graduates (equal to a 55% reduction in tuition) is given during the student teaching semester.

Since 1988, Westmont has provided the opportunity to student teach at an American International School in Costa Rica.

Career Choices: As noted above, the Liberal Studies major is explicitly designed for those pursuing a career in elementary teaching. In many cases, graduates of the Westmont program eventually go on to careers in special education, school administration, teacher education, or writing.

Requirements for Liberal Studies (Multiple Subject) Major: 102-106 units

Note: The outline of requirements below incorporates Westmont’s General Education Requirements.

I. Language and Literature (16-20 units)

Students must also fulfill a departmental entrance requirement of three years of a single high school language, or complete one semester of a foreign language at the college level.

Students must also complete two writing-intensive courses in the context of fulfilling other requirements. For details, see Liberal Studies Handbook.

II. History/Social Science (16 units)

III. Mathematics and Computer Science (8 units)

Students must satisfy college entrance requirements for mathematics. See page 239.

IV. Natural Science (12 units)

V. Visual and Performing Arts (7 units)

VI. Health and Physical Education (7 units)

VII. Human Development (4 units)

VIII. Preprofessional coursework (4 units)

IX. Academic Concentration (12 units)

Each Liberal Studies major selects three 4-unit courses, beyond the requirements above, in one of the following areas. For details, see Liberal Studies Handbook.

  1. American Studies
  2. Hispanic Studies (Spanish)
  3. English
  4. History/Social Science
  5. Art
  6. Music
  7. Mathematics
  8. Physical Science
  9. Environmental Science

X. Additional courses to fulfill General Education requirements (16 units)

Transfer students may have reduced requirements for Religious Studies courses. See departmental advisor for details.

Students taking courses that do not appear on the list above must gain approval from the education department in order for the coursework to be validated as part of their major.

Sample Four-Year Course Sequence

Liberal Studies Program—Fast-track option (3 years Liberal Studies Major + 1 year Credential Program)

FIRST YEAR

Fall (17) Spring (16)
RS 20 (4) RS 10 (4)
ENG 2 (4) ENG 6 (4)
HIS 7 (4) HIS 9 (4)
NS 11 (4) MUS 184 (3)
PEA 32 (1) PEA elective (1)

SECOND YEAR

Fall (18) Spring (19)
ART 180 (4) RS 1 (4)
ENG 106 (4) E MA 165 (2)
NS 114 (4) PSY 115 (4)
MA 160 (4) ED 172 (4)
ED 160 (1) Concentration elective (4)
PEA elective (1)

THIRD YEAR

Fall (18) Spring (18)
ENG 104 (4) HIS 178 (4)
ED 105 (4) KNS 155 (2)
KNS 156 (2) ED 100 (3)
PHI 6 (4) ED 109 (1)
PEA 32 (1) PEA elective (1)
Concentration elective (4) NS 12 (4)
Concentration elective (4)

FOURTH YEAR (Credential Program)

Fall (14) Spring (15)
ED 110 (3) ED 190 (12)
ED 120 (3) ED 195 (3)
ED 150 (3)
ED 170 (3)
ED 130 (2)
Concentration elective (4)

Notes on sample four-year schedule:

Students who choose not to complete the teacher preparation program as part of their four-year program, or who have not been admitted to the credential program, will replace the education courses in the fourth year, above, with elective units.

Based on the “fast-track” schedule above, student would need to take a minimum of 4 elective units in May Term or summer school, or bring into Westmont 4 units of AP credit.

Program above assumes that the student, at entrance, has satisfied the general education foreign language requirement by examination and has met the mathematics admission requirement.

For students on “fast-track” schedule shown above, the baccalaureate degree would officially be awarded at the conclusion of the first semester of the fourth year. Students participate in graduation ceremonies the following May. A student in this program would have, at the conclusion of the four years, fifteen post-baccalaureate credit hours.