Academic Catalogs

Liberal Studies (for Teaching), Associate of Arts Degree Major

This is an archived copy of the 2022-2023 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://catalog.cccd.edu.

Banner Code: 3_AA_LIBS

Control Number: 18002

Financial Aid Eligible


The Liberal Studies/Teaching Degree offers future elementary school teachers an articulated transfer pathway and career ladder for a B.A. in Liberal Studies and the multiple-subject teaching credential. The focus of the degree is on content knowledge needed to teach in a K-8 setting and education courses that include early fieldwork opportunities for observation and practice. Coursework prepares students for the Multiple Subject CSET exam as required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for elementary school teachers in both regular and special education. Selected courses are also aligned with the multiple subject credential CSET waiver, depending on transfer institution and course. As a standalone degree without transfer the A.A., aligned with the requirements for No Child Left Behind, helps students become effective elementary school paraprofessionals in regular or special education classrooms. The degree is also appropriate for students pursuing a career other than in elementary school teaching (such as tutors and parents providing homeschooling) who would like their course of studies and degree recognition to include an emphasis in liberal studies and teacher preparation curricula. Students may select courses to simultaneously earn the Certificate in Educational Studies as well.

Program Level Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge, skills, experience, and feedback to make an informed choice to be employed or to continue study in the field of education.
  2. Document preliminary subject matter competency and ability to work effectively with students, teachers, parents, colleagues, and administrators in a school and classroom setting.

Associate Degree Requirements

Unit Requirement

Complete at least 60 units of acceptable college work with a minimum of 12 units completed in residence at Coastline. Earn an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher from all colleges attended and a 2.0 or higher grade point average at Coastline.

*Students must be in good academic standing (not on probation and/or disqualification) during the semester graduation is petitioned.

Program of Study

Complete the required courses in one of the programs as detailed In the Requirements for the Major section of this catalog. All coursework must be completed with a grade of C or higher.

General Education

Complete one of the three General Education options below (visit the General Education page for details):

Option 1 — AA/AS Local Degree GE: designed for students pursuing an Associate degree and who may or may not be planning to transfer to a four-year university. The degree is transferable to many colleges and universities.

Option 2—CSU GE Breadth: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU system. It may also be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.

Option 3—IGETC: designed for students who are planning to transfer to a university in the CSU or UC system. It also may be appropriate for transfer to some independent colleges and universities.

Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement

Complete at least 2.5 units from any Global and Multicultural Studies courses. See what courses fulfill the Global and Multicultural Studies Requirement.

Course Title Units
Required Core
Area A - English Language, Communication and Critical Thinking
Select one course from each of the following areas:
A1-Oral Communication
CMST C110Public Speaking3
A2-Written Communication
ENGL C100Freshman Composition4
A3-Critical Thinking
ENGL C102Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing3
or PHIL C115 Logic and Critical Thinking
Area B - Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning
Select at least one course from each of the following areas: 1
B1-Physical Science
Select at least one of the following:3-4
Survey of Chemistry and Physics 3
Survey of Chemistry and Physics
General Geology
Earth Sciences for Teachers 3
B2-Biological Science
BIOL C100Introduction to Biology3-4
or BIOL C100C Introduction to Biology Lecture/Lab
B3-Laboratory Activity
BIOL C100LIntroduction to Biology Lab1
or GEOL C105L Geology Lab
B4-Math/Quantitative Reasoning
Select at least one of the following:3
Statistics for Elementary Teachers
Mathematics for Elementary Teachers
Geometry for Elementary Teachers
Area C - Arts and Humanities
Select at least one course from each area plus one additional course from either area.9
C1-Arts
History and Appreciation of Music
Introduction to Theater
C2-Literature
Critical Reasoning, Reading, and Writing
Appreciation of Literature
American Literature through the Civil War
American Literature 1865 to Present
Shakespeare
British Literature to 1800
British Literature since 1800
Ethics
Area D - Social Sciences
Select a US History course and an American Government course and at least one additional course from Area D.9
United States History to 1876
American Government
Select one of the following:
World Regional Geography
History of California
World History 1
Area E - Lifelong Learning
PSYC C116Child Growth and Development3
Additional Requirements
EDUC C103Introduction to Computers in Education: Technology Proficiencies for Teachers 12
EDUC C104Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Diverse Contemporary Classrooms Includes 10 hours of required fieldwork/observations1
EDUC C200The Teaching Profession Includes 45 hours of required fieldwork/tutoring3.5
Suggested Electives
Select additional courses to complete at least 60 units. 2
Tutor Training Includes a three-hour service learning component
Family, School, and Community Partnerships Includes 10 hours of required fieldwork/observations
Introduction to Special Education Includes 10 hours of required fieldwork/observations
Children's Literature
Personal Health
Units Required for Major47.5-49.5
Local General Education, CSU General Education, or IGETC patternVaries
Electives to satisfy units requirementVaries
Total Units for Degree60