Liberal Studies B.A.
- Students will articulate their mission as a teacher in the context of their Christian faith through written and verbal modes of expression including reflective essays, a Christian faith integration paper, and class discussions.
- Students will demonstrate understanding of the various philosophies of education and be able to articulate their own personal philosophies in integrative papers and class discussions.
- Students will apply their knowledge of cultural diversity through fieldwork, oral presentations, and writing projects.
- Students will demonstrate their use of information literacy to support student learning by applying technology skills to collaborative online writing projects and objective exams.
- Students will apply their understanding of the state teaching profession standards by completing field experience observations and writing assignments.
- Students will apply their working knowledge of the foundations of the teaching profession through field experience.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 40 | |
| Liberal Studies Core Major Requirements | 74 | |
| General Elective Requirements | 6 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
Liberal Studies Major Requirements
The Liberal Studies program outlined below incorporates current core curriculum courses as well as additional content specific courses to meet the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) expectations for a Liberal Studies major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-100 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| EDUC-220C | Researched Writing for Liberal Studies Majors 2,3 | 3 |
| EDUC-250 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| or ECED-101 | Child Growth and Development | |
| EDUC-315 | Teaching in a Multicultural Setting | 3 |
| EDUC-326 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC-327 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| EDUC-330 | Integrating Technology in Classroom Teaching | 3 |
| ECED-340 | Transitional Kindergarten Programs | 3 |
| EDUC-344 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC-385 | Field Research Lab/Seminar | 3 |
| or EDUC-305 | Tutoring in an Urban Setting | |
| or WJST-410 | Research in Women's Studies | |
| or WJST-345 | Human Trafficking | |
| EDUC-436 | Introduction to Inclusive and Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC-499C | Senior Capstone in Liberal Studies | 3 |
| Total Units | 36 | |
- 1
Number of units required from the Core Curriculum not included in the major requirements below.
- 2
EDUC-220C Researched Writing for Liberal Studies Majors satisfies one Core Curriculum English requirement.
- 3
Required for the CSET Waiver
Non-Liberal Studies Department Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts (a minimum of 10 units) | ||
| EDUC-328 | Integrating Teaching Strategies of Creative Arts in K-12 Education | 3 |
| EDUC-445 | Pedagogy/Practice in Theatre for Youth | 3 |
| MUSC-337B | Music for Elementary Schools (Non-Majors) | 3 |
| English/Social Science/Human Development (a minimum of 10 units) | ||
| EDUC-121 | Teaching Math Concepts for K-8 Educators | 3 |
| EDUC-324 | Physical and Health Education for K-8 Educators | 3 |
| EDUC-356 | Curriculum Methods in Elementary School Social Studies | 3 |
| ENGL-340 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| Science – 2 labs required (a minimum of 8 units) 1 | ||
| BIOL-100C & 100CL | Fundamentals of Biology for Non-Majors and Fundamentals/Biology for Non-Majors Lab | 4 |
| PSCI-216C & 216CL | Fundamentals of Physical Science and Fundamentals of Physical Science Lab | 4 |
| Additional Courses Required for Credentialing | ||
| ENGL-453 | Language, Culture, and Linguistics | 3 |
| HIST-156C | U.S. History | 3 |
| POLS-155C | American Democracy | 3 |
| Total Units | 38 | |
Electives Requirement
Students must choose to complete six (6) additional units of electives recommended in the following areas: Biological Science, English Literature, Early Childhood, English Writing, History and Political Science, Music, Psychology, Sociology, Special Education, and Theatre Arts.
- 1
Satisfies Core Curriculum Science requirement
Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a bachelor's degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the Department of Liberal Studies.
Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied.
| Year 1 Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-100 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| CORE-CSTN | Cornerstone | 1 |
| CORE-ENGL1 | Composition Requirement | 3 |
| CORE-MATH | Math Concepts Requirement | 3 |
| CORE-SCI2 | Science Fitness and Wellness Requirement | 3 |
| CORE-THEO2 | NT Survey Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 1 Term 2 | ||
| ANTH-102C | Intro to Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| BIOL-100C | Fundamentals of Biology for Non-Majors | 3 |
| BIOL-100CL | Fundamentals/Biology for Non-Majors Lab | 1 |
| HIST-156C | U.S. History | 3 |
| PSYC-103C | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| CORE-THEO1 | Theology Intro Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 Term 1 | ||
| EDUC-121 | Teaching Math Concepts for K-8 Educators | 3 |
| EDUC-220C | Researched Writing for Liberal Studies Majors | 3 |
| CORE-ARHU2 | Literature Requirement | 3 |
| CORE-ARHU3 | Fine Arts/Philosophy Requirement | 3 |
| CORE-THEO3 | OT Survey Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 Term 2 | ||
| EDUC-445 | Pedagogy/Practice in Theatre for Youth | 3 |
| POLS-155C | American Democracy | 3 |
| PSCI-216C | Fundamentals of Physical Science | 3 |
| PSCI-216CL | Fundamentals of Physical Science Lab | 1 |
| CORE-ENGL3 | Speech Composition and Presentation Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Year 3 Term 1 | ||
| ECED-340 | Transitional Kindergarten Programs | 3 |
| EDUC-326 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC-250 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDUC-315 | Teaching in a Multicultural Setting | 3 |
| CORE-THEO4 | Christian Worldview Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 Term 3 | ||
| EDUC-327 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| EDUC-328 | Integrating Teaching Strategies of Creative Arts in K-12 Education | 3 |
| EDUC-330 | Integrating Technology in Classroom Teaching | 3 |
| ENGL-340 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| MUSC-337B | Music for Elementary Schools (Non-Majors) | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 Term 1 | ||
| EDUC-344 | Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 |
| EDUC-356 | Curriculum Methods in Elementary School Social Studies | 3 |
| EDUC-436 | Introduction to Inclusive and Special Education | 3 |
| EDUC-EDUCEL3 | Liberal Studies Elective 3 units | 3 |
| CORE-THEO5 | Christian Heritage Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 Term 2 | ||
| EDUC-324 | Physical and Health Education for K-8 Educators | 3 |
| EDUC-499C | Senior Capstone in Liberal Studies | 3 |
| EDUC-FPRAC | LBST Field Prac/Research 3 un | 3 |
| EDUC-EDUCEL3 | Liberal Studies Elective 3 units | 3 |
| ENGL-453 | Language, Culture, and Linguistics | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120 | |
- 1
CBEST Waiver Courses/ESM Waiver Courses (authorized by completion of qualifying coursework/CA Law, July 2021) include: ENGL-120C Persuasive Writing ; EDUC-121 Teaching Math Concepts for K-8 Educators; EDUC-121 Teaching Math Concepts for K-8 Educators; ENGL-230C Literature and the Human Experience; EDUC-220C Researched Writing for Liberal Studies Majors; ENGL-340 Children's Literature.
- 3
YEAR TWO TERM TWO :: POLS-155C American Democracy satisfies a Graduate Education program requirement.
- 4
YEAR FOUR TERM TWO :: ENGL-453 Language, Culture, and Linguistics satisfies a graduate education program requirement. EDUC-499C Senior Capstone in Liberal Studies must be taken in the fourth year.