Liberal Studies
Professor A. Mullen, Program Coordinator
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.
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.
Liberal studies students who have completed the B.A. degree and who live off campus receive a scholarship (equal to a 55% reduction in tuition) during the student teaching semester. Note that this is given in lieu of other Westmont scholarships students may have received previously.
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: 102-108 units
Note: The outline of requirements below incorporates Westmont’s General Education Requirements.
I. Language and Literature (16-20 units)
ENG 2 Composition (4) (waived if a score of 580 on the SAT I Writing Component) or a score of “4” of “5” on AP language exam
ENG 104 Modern Grammar and Advanced Composition (4)
ENG 6 Studies in Literature (4)
ED 172 Literature for Children and Adolescents (4)
ENG 106 Language Acquisition (4)
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.
For details of how students fulfill the College’s writing intensive course requirements, please see Liberal Studies Handbook.
II. History/Social Science (16 units)
HIS 9 World Civilization I (4)
HIS 7 US History to 1877 (4)
HIS 178 California Experience (4)
ED 105 Cultural Diversity (4)
III. Mathematics and Computer Science (8 units)
MA 160 Fundamentals of Mathematics I (4)
MA 165 Fundamentals of Mathematics II (2)
ED 160 Computers for Classroom Teachers (2)
Students must satisfy college entrance requirements for mathematics. See p. 240.
IV. Natural Science (12 units)
LS 12 Introduction to Life Science (4)
PHS 11 Introduction to Physical Science (4)
PHS 114 Earth Science (4)
V. Visual and Performing Arts (8 units)
ART 180 Art for Children (4)
MU 184 Music for Children (4)
VI. Health and Physical Education (7 units)
KNS 156 Health Education for the Classroom Teacher (2)
KNS 155 Fundamentals of Movement (2) [counts as one PE activity course]
PEA 32 Fitness for Life (1)
Two additional one-unit PEA courses (2)
VII. Human Development (4 units)
PSY 115 Child Development (4)
VIII. Preprofessional coursework (4 units)
ED 100 Explorations in Teaching (4)
ED 109 Liberal Studies Seminar (1)
IX. Academic Concentration (10-12 units)
Each Liberal Studies major selects three full (3-4 unit) courses totaling no less than 10 units, 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)
PHI 6 Introduction to Philosophy (4)
RS 1 Life and Literature of the Old Testament (4)
RS 10 Life and Literature of the New Testament (4)
RS 20 Introduction to Christian Doctrine (4)
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 (17)
RS 20 (4) RS 10 (4)
ENG 2 (4) ENG 6 (4)
HIS 7 (4) HIS 9 (4)
PHS 11 (4) LS 12 (4)
PEA 32 (1) PEA elective (1)
Second Year
Fall (18) Spring (19)
ART 180 (4) RS 1 (4)
ENG 106 (4) MA 165 (2)
PHS 114 (4) PSY 115 (4)
MA 160 (4) ED 172 (4)
ED 160 (2) Concentration elective (4)
PEA elective (1)
Third Year
Fall (18) Spring (19)
ENG 104 (4) HIS 178 (4)
ED 105 (4) KNS 155 (2)
KNS 156 (2) ED 100 (4)
PHI 6 (4) ED 109 (1)
Concentration elective (4) MU 184 (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)
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.
Two semesters shown in the sample four-year course sequence consist of schedules exceeding the regular limit of 18 units. Not all students are eligible to exceed this limit.
Based on the “fast-track” schedule, students would need to take a minimum of 2 elective units in May Term or summer school, or bring into Westmont 2 units of AP credit.
The sample program assumes that the student, at entrance, has met the foreign language admission requirement and the mathematics admission requirement.
For students on the “fast-track” schedule, 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.