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 | 43 | |
| Liberal Studies Core Major Requirements | 67 | |
| Emphasis Requirements | 12 | |
| Total Units | 122 | |
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 |
| EDUC-315 | Teaching in a Multicultural Setting | 3 |
| EDUC-326 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| EDUC-330 | Integrating Technology in Classroom Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC-499C | Senior Capstone in Liberal Studies | 3 |
| Total Units | 21 | |
- 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
Electives
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select six units from the following 3-unit courses: | 6 | |
| Language Acquisition in Linguistically Diverse Classrooms | ||
| Psychological Foundations of Education | ||
| Introduction to Special Education | ||
| Total Units | 6 | |
Non-Liberal Studies Department Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts (a minimum of 10 units) | ||
| ART-330 | Art Techniques for Teachers | 3 |
| EDUC/THEA-213 | Foundations of Dance for Elementary Teachers | 1 |
| EDUC/THEA-242 | Pedagogy/Practice in Theatre for Youth | 3 |
| MUSC-337B | Music for Elementary Schools-Non-Majors | 3 |
| English/Social Science/Human Development (a minimum of 12 units) | ||
| ENGL-340 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| EDUC-356 | Curriculum Methods in Elementary School Social Studies | 1 |
| KINE-435 | Physical Ed for Elem Schools | 3 |
| MATH-120 | Math for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| Science – 3 labs required (a minimum of 12 units) 1 | ||
| BIOL-100C & 100CL | Fundamentals of Biology for Non-Majors and Fundamentals/Biology for Non-Majors Lab | 4 |
| PSCI-215C & 215CL | Fundamentals of Earth Science and Fundamentals of Earth Science Lab | 4 |
| or ENVR-205C & 205CL | Introduction to Geology and Introduction to Geology Laboratory | |
| 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 | 40 | |
- 1
Satisfies Core Curriculum Science requirement
Emphasis
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum of 12 units | 12 | |
| Total Units | 12 | |
Students must choose an emphasis from one of the following areas: Biological Science, Communication, English Literature, Early Childhood, English Writing, History and Political Science, Kinesiology (PE), Mathematics, Music, Physical Science, Psychology, Sociology, Special Education, and Theatre Arts. As a capstone experience to the emphasis, each senior Liberal Studies student will participate in a portfolio/performance/ demonstration assessment. Contact the Liberal Studies Department for details.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| CORE-100C | Cornerstone | 1 |
| ENGL-120C | Persuasive Writing | 3 |
| MATH-115C | Applied Mathematics and Personal Finance | 3 |
| NT-101C | New Testament Survey | 3 |
| EDUC-100 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| SOC-PLCR | Social Science Core Curriculum Reqm't | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 1 Term 2 | ||
| BIOL-100C | Fundamentals of Biology for Non-Majors | 3 |
| BIOL-100CL | Fundamentals/Biology for Non-Majors Lab | 1 |
| THEO-PLHD | Theology Core Requirement | 3 |
| SOC-PLCR | Social Science Core Curriculum Reqm't | 3 |
| KINE-148C | Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Lecture | 3 |
| HIST-156C | U.S. History | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 Term 1 | ||
| MATH-120 | Math for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
| EDUC-SCIPLH | ENVR or PSCI Lecture/Lab | 4 |
| FINA-PLCR | Fine Arts Core Curriculum Requirement | 3 |
| OT-201C | Old Testament Survey | 3 |
| EDUC-213 | Foundations of Dance for Elementary Teachers | 1 |
| EDUC-220C | Researched Writing for Liberal Studies Majors | 3 |
| Units | 17 | |
| Year 2 Term 2 | ||
| POLS-155C | American Democracy | 3 |
| COMM-201C | Speech Composition and Presentation | 3 |
| PSCI-216C | Fundamentals of Physical Science | 3 |
| PSCI-216CL | Fundamentals of Physical Science Lab | 1 |
| EDUC-242 | Pedagogy/Practice in Theatre for Youth | 3 |
| HIST-PLCR2 | History Core Requirement (World Civ) | 3 |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 3 Term 1 | ||
| ENGL-230C | Literature and the Human Experience | 3 |
| THEO-300C | Developing a Christian World View | 3 |
| EDUC-250 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EDUC-315 | Teaching in a Multicultural Setting | 3 |
| EDUC-326 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 Term 3 | ||
| ART-330 | Art Techniques for Teachers | 3 |
| MUSC-337B | Music for Elementary Schools-Non-Majors | 3 |
| ENGL-340 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| EDUC-330 | Integrating Technology in Classroom Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC-PLPR3 | Liberal Studies Program Requirement | 3 |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 Term 1 | ||
| EDUC-356 | Curriculum Methods in Elementary School Social Studies | 1 |
| CHIS-400C | Christian Heritage | 3 |
| EDUC-PLPR3 | Liberal Studies Program Requirement | 3 |
| EDUC-PLHD6 | Lib Stud Emphasis Elct 6 Units | 6 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Year 4 Term 2 | ||
| KINE-435 | Physical Ed for Elem Schools | 3 |
| ENGL-453 | Language, Culture, and Linguistics | 3 |
| EDUC-499C | Senior Capstone in Liberal Studies | 3 |
| EDUC-PLHD3 | Lib Stud Emphasis Elct 3 Units | 3 |
| Units | 12 | |
| 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 ; MATH-115C Applied Mathematics and Personal Finance; MATH-120 Math for Elementary Teachers; ENGL-230C Literature and the Human Experience; EDUC-220C Researched Writing for Liberal Studies Majors; ENGL-340 Children's Literature.
- 2
YEAR ONE TERM ONE :: Provisional Standing Students will take CORE-101C College Success Strategies instead of CORE-100C.
- 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.