Liberal Studies Elementary Education - Information, Application & Requirements

In this program, you will earn either a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies Elementary Education OR a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies Elementary Education with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

This program includes extensive fieldwork in local classrooms and engaging in face-to-face interactions with children and educators in a variety of school settings. You will also develop an understanding of the developmental, emotional, social, and intellectual assets and needs of elementary learners and how to shape learning experiences to support them in the social-cultural contexts of school, home, and community.

After completing this program you will be prepared to start working as a K-8 teacher with a full tool kit of teaching tools and a sense of their teaching style upon graduation.

Program Overview

First-year Students

You can apply to the program by following the steps outlined on our General Admissions website.

General Admissions

Transfer Students

If you are a transfer student you will need to read about the process on our Transferring to the Program page. 

Transferring to the Program

Requirements

As a Liberal Studies Elementary Education major there are two concentration pathways:

• LSEE Majors formally declare their concentration pathway in the spring semester of their junior year.
• The coursework and concentration-specific requirements for each pathway are completed during an LSEE major's final year, unless noted differently below.

Elementary Education Concentration (120 total units)

This concentration is also referred to as the Educational Studies Pathway and prepares undergraduate students to earn a bachelor’s degree. With this pathway graduates are prepared to work in a variety of careers within the field of education or enter a post-baccalaureate credential program. Student interest and career goals are central to the selection of their individually designed depth of study coursework. This concentration does not include a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.

LSEE catalog information

Elementary Education (ITEP) Concentration (125 total units)

This concentration is also referred to as the ITP Pathway prepares undergraduate students to earn a bachelor’s degree and to be recommended for a preliminary Multiple Subject Credential through an integrated and accelerated final year. With this pathway graduates are prepared to work in K-8 schools with a California State Teaching Credential. This allows LSEE ITP concentration students to graduate in four years with a bachelor's degree and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. This concentration has CTC Approved admission prerequisites and requirements. Please see the admissions in the next section.

LSEE ITEP Concentration catalog information

There are several prerequisites that must be met to be accepted into the ITP Concentration Pathway as part of the requirements for earning a Multiple Subject Credential. Students in this pathway must successfully meet these prerequisites during their Junior and Senior years. Support and preparation will be integrated into many of the LSEE courses.

1. California Basic Skills Requirement 
   The Basic Skills Requirement is met through coursework or passing a subject-specific CBEST exam. Determinations about BSR will be explored in consultation with the LSEE Program Coordinator/Advisor through transcript audits and review by the Cal Poly Humboldt School of Education Credential Analyst
2. Subject Matter Competency 
   This is met through the Liberal Studies Elementary Education Coursework
3. CPR Certification
4. Certificate of Clearance
   This process can take up to 6 weeks so apply early! The COC is required for all LSEE Fieldwork and is valid for 5 years.
5. TB Screening
   Student must have a valid negative TB Screening or test to be allowed to pursue fieldwork or student teaching at an elementary school. This service is available at the Student Health Center on campus or through the student's primary care provider.
6. US Constitution Courses: You have taken your US Constitution courses as a part of your undergraduate degree.
7. ITP Concentration Application Process: The application process is completed in two phases:
   1. Phase 1: ITP Application Process. Review, and Initial Admission Decision
   2. Phase 2: Dispositional Assessment Virtual Interview Process, Review, and Final Admission Decision

1. Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA)
   Students can complete this exam as soon as they feel ready to take it. We recommend completing this requirement before the senior year, if possible. Passing the RICA is a requirement for credential recommendation.
2. Teaching Performance Assessment - CalTPA Guidelines
   The CalTPA is the TPA assessment used in the Cal Poly Humboldt School of Education. Students complete this assessment in their Senior year. Passing the CalTPA is a requirement for credential recommendation.

Student Athletes: If you want to play sports in your senior year, you may need to delay taking the senior year class until you have completed your sport. The senior year includes 20 hours per week of fieldwork in addition to classes. This can conflict with practice times and the need to travel for games. You can opt to do a minor or a double major in the meantime. If you are a student athlete, please be sure to talk to the LSEE program advisor as soon as possible.

Study Abroad: You can study abroad when in the LSEE program and it is recommended to go during the summer. There are summer programs that are complementary to the LSEE major. Please contact the Study Abroad office for more information.

Minors: You can do a minor while in the LSEE program and it is a good idea to get started on it early. Waiting to do your minor courses during your junior or senior year may delay your graduation date. Be sure to discuss this with the LSEE program advisor in your first year.