Liberal Studies

The Liberal Studies major is a pre-professional program leading to Multiple Subject or Special Education credential programs. Our mission is to insure that students graduate with a strong subject matter background and necessary experience and content to prepare them for a teaching career in elementary education. The major is approved by The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as an authorized elementary subject matter program.

Program Highlights

Liberal Studies students gain elementary classroom experience, choose from 26 diverse concentrations, and make a seamless transition into the Multiple Subject Credential Program or Special Education Credential Program.

Learn more about Liberal Studies

College Statements

Mission: Preparing Leaders in Learning

The California State University, Stanislaus College of Education Kinesiology and Social Work (COEKSW) reaffirms the commitment to our mission of developing “diverse leaders who meet the needs of a multicultural and multilingual society.” In pursuit of this mission, we understand diversity is an indispensable component of academic excellence. We denounce language and behaviors that limit access or discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, socioeconomic background, religion, politics, and disability. We denounce policies, practices, and teaching strategies anchored in white supremacy, macro/micro-aggressions, violence, and hatred directed towards historically marginalized groups. 

Our goal is to create an increasingly inclusive culture among and between students, faculty, staff and our community that is critical and willing to confront racist systems, structures, curricular choices, and pedagogies. We encourage and embrace the diverse ideas, cultures, and languages of ALL members of our college and insist that these differences be equally valued and not demeaned or retaliated against. We will include these diverse perspectives in decision making at all levels of our college. We understand that we ALL must adopt anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practices in order to hold ourselves and our stakeholders accountable for rooting out inequities as they are revealed. We will fulfill our mission through activism, advocacy and the collective power that lies in the diversity in our college as we fight for humanity and antiracism. 

Vision: Enhancing Lifelong Learning

The preparation programs in the College of Education, Kinesiology & Social Work strive to instill professional habits that result in lifelong learning. We endeavor to prepare educators who impact positively and optimally on the academic achievement and well-being of all of their P-14 pupils. To this end, we model a culture of educational and rigor, and we model systematic use of assessment and reflections to inform decision-making. We strive to ensure that College of Education, Kinesiology & Social Work students, faculty, and staff reflect the diversity of our local communities, possess the competence and confidence to provide leadership in their professional roles, and actively pursue personal and professional lifelong learning.