Catalog

Undergraduate Degree Programs

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Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies

  • Students will be able to read with understanding of the language structure and development, listen with attention, and communicate in writing and in speaking with clarity, correctness, and conviction.
  • Students will be able to understand and present basic social science, natural science, and mathematics at the levels mandated by the State of California.
  • Students will be able to appreciate and share the historic, cultural, philosophic, religious, and artistic heritage of humankind, showing respect for diversity, justice, and peace.
  • Students will be able to analyze and interpret a variety of diverse disciplinary texts.
  • Students will be able to be educators. They also will be able to value the pursuit of knowledge, inspire others, and share skills and knowledge with the community.

Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies – Traditional Day

Vince Fitzgerald
Advisor
(650) 508-3769
vfitzgerald@ndnu.edu

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies is interdisciplinary in nature, involving course work from the humanities, the arts, and the sciences. It is especially recommended for students intending a career in elementary education; nonetheless, candidates for the Multiple Subject Credential must now establish subject matter competence by passing the CSET exam. Required course work for the major is drawn from the areas of language, literature, mathematics, natural science, social science, history, humanities, the arts, physical education, and human development. At least 30 units of the courses taken in these areas must be upper-division units. The major is constructed so that students who satisfy all of the requirements for the major also satisfy most NDNU Core Curriculum Requirements.

Although we encourage students to pursue graduate study at NDNU, earning a BA degree in Liberal Studies does not guarantee admission into NDNU's teacher training programs. Students who seek an elementary teaching credential must apply to Graduate Admission and, as with all applicants, undergo screening for admission. Students who do not intend to pursue an elementary teaching credential may complete the major by substituting advisor-approved elective courses for the required credential-related courses (e.g., EDU2003, EDU2006, ENG2624, HST2350, PSY2141). Each elective course should be in the same discipline as is the credential-related course that it replaces.

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements.

Area Requirements Units
   
Language Studies 9
ENG2108 Advanced Writing  
ENG2164 Linguistics  
Plus one of the following courses:  
     COM1008 Oral Communication  
     THE1005/2105 Introduction to Oral Interpretation of Literature       
   
Mathematics       6
MTH2606 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I  
MTH2607 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II  
   
Natural Science and Technology         7
BIO1009/1109L  Introduction to Biology with Lab (3.5)  
Plus one Physical Science course from the following:            
     PHY1109/1109L Introduction to Physical Science with Lab (3.5)       
     PHY2000 Science in Action (CE) (4)  
   
Social Science         6
PSC1000 Introduction to American Government  
PSC2120 World Geography  
   
History     6
HST2300 American History, 1607-1877  
HST2350 California History  
   
Humanities    9
ENG2624 Children's Literature  
REL2250 Religions of the World  
   
The Arts 3
For Credential students, one course from the following:  
     ART2605 Art Education Concepts  
    THE2151Children's Theatre  
For Non-Credential Students: three units within the Visual and  
Performing Arts meeting one of the following criteria:  
     One 3-unit content course  
     Three units in studio/performance or concepts  
   
Human Development          15
EDU2006 Introduction to Education: Practicum in Teaching  
EDU2080 Senior Seminar in Liberal Studies  
PSY1001 Introduction to Psychology  
PSY2141 Developmental Psychology: Child and Adolescent  
Plus one course from the following:  
     EDU2003 Physical Education in the Elementary School  
     SOC2617 Teaching, Learning and Healing through Animals  
   
Total Major Requirements         58
Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives      66

 *Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g. U.S. History).

Total Unit Requirement 124

Liberal Studies: Foundations for Teaching
Professional Studies Program (Evening)

Dr. Hélène Laroche-Davis
Program Director
(650) 508-3558
hdavis@ndnu.edu

Through the Professional Studies Program, the Liberal Studies: Foundations for Teaching is an Accelerated Evening Degree Program within the Liberal Studies major. The major engages students in a broad liberal arts education that may be applied to a teaching career and prepares students for entry into graduate programs leading to the California Multiple Subject (K-8) teaching credential. The major also serves as a degree completion option for students who want a broad liberal arts background, but who do not necessarily wish to pursue a teaching credential. Our Liberal Studies advisors can tailor a program to fit the particular interests and goals of each student.

Working students can complete a bachelor's degree in the evening and simultaneously satisfy prerequisites in the NDNU graduate education program, the next step in becoming state-certified for teaching kindergarten through eighth grade.

Accelerated Liberal Studies: Foundations for Teaching
In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements.

Prerequisites Units
   
BIO1009        Introduction to Biology       3
PHY1109       Introduction to Physical Science    3
PSC1000       Introduction to American Government    3
PSY1001        Introduction to Psychology   3
   
Total Prerequisites     12
   
Major Requirements   Units
   
ART2605        Art Education Concepts        3
EDU2006       Introduction to Education: Practicum in Teaching 3
EDU2080       Senior Seminar in Liberal Studies   3
ENG2164       Linguistics    3
HST2020        World History    3
PSY2141         Developmental Psychology   3
REL2250         Religions of the World    3
One upper-division writing course:     3

     BUS2006       Contemporary Professional Writing

  
     ENG2108      Advanced Writing  
     HSP2206       Professional Writing  
     HSP2233       Grant Writing  
One of the following courses:          3
     BIO2108     Contemporary Environmental Issues  
     PHL2400    Philosophy of Science  
Electives from the following or as approved by advisor:         9
     ENG2624   Children's Literature  
     HST2350    California History  
     MTH1105    Mathematics and Life      
     MTH2606    Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I  
     PHY1001     Physical Geology  
     PSC2120     World Geography (CDiv)  
     SOC2617    Teaching, Learning, and Healing through Animals  
   
Total Major Requirements          36

Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives                                                            76
*Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., U.S. History).  

Total Unit Requirement                                                                                                                124

Note: Accelerated Liberal Studies students may use PHL2230 to satisfy the Philosophy and Values Core Curriculum Requirement, ENG2108 or HSP2206 to satisfy the College Writing Core Curriculum Requirement, and REL2250 toward the Religion and Spirituality Core Curriculum Requirement.            

Credential Program
The Liberal Studies degree satisfies the following NDNU Credential Program prerequisites:

  • U.S. Constitution
  • Early Fieldwork Experience

Students are not guaranteed admission; they must apply to Graduate Admission and undergo screening, as with other applicants.