Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies), B.A.

Program Details

Department: Center for Undergraduate Teacher Preparation 
Modality: In-person
Units: 133-141

Contact Information

Introduction

The Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) major is designed for students who anticipate teaching in grades K-5 or a self-contained classroom in grades 6-8. Due to the rigorous standards set forth by the State of California for teacher credentialing, the Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) major at LMU is very specific in terms of the coursework students will be taking. Students in this program complete an Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) major, the University’s Core Curriculum requirements, and the School of Education credential coursework requirements in four years.

Objectives

The Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) program enables the student to meet Elementary Education Multiple Subject teacher preparation standards. The curriculum likewise serves the Loyola Marymount University mission.

Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) Program Concentrations:

All Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) students complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of coursework in a chosen area of concentration, which represents a subject area generally taught in elementary schools or a related area of study. With careful planning, the concentration can constitute most, if not all, of an LMU minor, as well as an additional Preliminary Teaching Credential and/or Authorization. Students must declare a Concentration by the fall semester of their sophomore year. See the Bulletin for qualifying Concentrations and their specific requirements.

California Credential Requirements

Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) students will engage with the Education Program through rigorous curriculum rooted in theory, as well as enriching dialogue that will both challenge constructs and push students to grow. The Education requirements are also deeply rooted in fieldwork and clinical experiences that provide opportunities to implement the theories and content being learned. Through the Education Program Requirements, students in the Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) major can earn a Preliminary Multiple Subjects Credential. Students interested in teaching in bilingual settings may also add a Bilingual Authorization to their Preliminary Credential. The Bilingual Authorization is offered in Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese.

Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) students fulfill the Multiple Subjects student teaching requirement for the teaching credential by completing EDTL 526 Elementary Teaching Seminar - Student Teachers and EDTL 524 Clinical Supervision 2 - Undergraduate Elementary Student Teachers, which are applied toward both the semester hour requirement for the baccalaureate degree in Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) and the requirements for the credential within the state of California. Whereas the B.A. degree in Education and Learning Sciences (Liberal Studies) and California teaching credential are separate, many requirements for the credential are earned through fulfilling the B.A. requirements, including student teaching, where this is met through elective units taken as EDTL 526 Elementary Teaching Seminar - Student Teachers and EDTL 524 Clinical Supervision 2 - Undergraduate Elementary Student Teachers.

Per Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v), all LMU School of Education credential/licensure programs meet the California state requirements as specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and for the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences, as appropriate. The institution (LMU) has not made a determination as to whether these credential, licensure, and professional preparation programs meet the requirements of states outside of California. If you are interested in practicing outside the state of California, it is recommended that you contact the respective licensing entity of that state to seek information or guidance regarding their licensure and credential requirements in advance to allowing appropriate planning.

Bilingual Authorization in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese or Korean: 

Bilingual credential candidates with the demonstrated requisite language proficiency can earn a Bilingual Authorization to teach in either Cantonese, Korean (pending CTC approval), Mandarin, or Spanish in an elementary classroom through the their Concentration selection. The Authorization requires students to complete part of their coursework and student teaching in a bilingual classroom. The Bilingual Authorization may contribute to meeting other graduate degree requirements. See the Advisor and Director of Bilingual Program if interested in earning a Bilingual Authorization.