Liberal Studies with an Emphasis in Education, B.A. (Hybrid)
Designed for working adults, the Liberal Studies with an Emphasis in Education major allows candidates to concurrently work on an initial teaching credential1 while completing a Bachelor of Arts degree. This major, offered online and at Point Loma Nazarene University’s Mission Valley and Bakersfield campuses, is ideal for aspiring teachers wanting to teach K-12 students.
- Multiple Subject - Teaching credential program is designed for candidates seeking to teach at the elementary grade levels or in P - Adult self-contained, general education classrooms.
- Single Subject - Teaching credential program is designed for candidates seeking to teach at the junior high, middle school, or high school levels or in a departmentalized setting serving grades P - Adult.
- Education Specialist - Teaching credential is related to services for individuals with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, mild/moderate or moderate/severe disabilities, other health impairment, and autism spectrum disorders.
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Completing credential courses does not guarantee the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) will issue a credential. If any requirements for a preliminary credential are altered by the CTC during the candidate’s program, the candidate will be held responsible for those requirements in accordance with regulations designated by this accrediting agency.
Program Learning Outcomes
The Point Loma Nazarene University Institutional Learning Outcomes guide the development of each program learning outcome within the Liberal Studies Degree. Because this degree is housed in the School of Education, Student Learning Outcomes in each course are aligned within the overarching conceptual framework of “Equip, Transform, and Empower.”
Equip by Learning: Informed by our faith in Christ
- Evaluate the educational, cultural, interpersonal, and social environments within the professional workplace from an ethical and Christian context
- Demonstrate problem-solving and decision-making skills within the context of a diverse educational environment.
Transform by Growing: In a Christ-centered faith community
- Distinguish how the role of a teacher-leader needs to continually adapt in relation to individual student needs,
Empower by Serving: In a context of Christian faith
- Evaluate personal, interpersonal, social strengths and weaknesses, and incorporate personal style to effectively and ethically influence the workplace.
- Education Specialist (Mild Moderate & Extensive Support Needs) Candidates
- Multiple Subject Candidates
- Single Subject Candidates
Education Specialist (Mild Moderate & Extensive Support Needs) Candidates
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| CST 1000 | Introduction to the Christian Tradition (GE) | 3 |
| Common Courses 1,2 | ||
| EDT 3002 | Foundations of Education and Learning Theory | 3 |
| EDT 3006 | Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations | 3 |
| EDT 4004 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EDT 4009 | Classroom Assessment and Research Practices | 3 |
| EDT 4018A | Trauma-Informed Care and Classroom Management | 1 |
| EDT 4018B | Culturally-Responsive Planning and Teaching | 1 |
| Education Specialist (Mild Moderate & Extensive Support Needs) Courses 3 | ||
| EDS 4061 | Supportive Environments and Plans for Students with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| EDS 4062 | Assessments and Case Management | 3 |
| EDS 4063 | Self-Determination and Partnerships: Keys to Successful Transitions | 3 |
| EDS 4064 | Multidisciplinary Collaboration and IEP Development | 3 |
| EDS 4065 | Social-Emotional, Communicative Strategies, and Behavior Supports | 3 |
| EDS 4066 | High Leverage Practices for Inclusive Environments | 3 |
| EDT 3024 | Differentiated Mathematics Instruction for All Learners | 3 |
| or EDT 4021 | General Methods for Secondary Teachers | |
| EDT 4010 | Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing | 3 |
| Total Units | 41 | |
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These common courses are required for a preliminary credential in Special Education.
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All candidates who earn this preliminary credential will have an English Learner Authorization listed on their credential.
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All candidates who earn the Education Specialist (Ed. Sp.) Credential will be getting all five added authorizations (Autism, ED, OHI, OI, TBI, and Deaf Blind). This allows Ed. Sp. candidates to teach students who hold a primary disability in one of these categories. Each Ed. Sp. candidate will also complete 200 hours of early clinical practice hours.
Multiple Subject Candidates
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| CST 1000 | Introduction to the Christian Tradition (GE) | 3 |
| Common Courses 1,2 | ||
| EDT 3002 | Foundations of Education and Learning Theory | 3 |
| EDT 3006 | Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations | 3 |
| EDT 4004 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EDT 4009 | Classroom Assessment and Research Practices | 3 |
| EDT 4018A | Trauma-Informed Care and Classroom Management | 1 |
| EDT 4018B | Culturally-Responsive Planning and Teaching | 1 |
| Multiple Subject Courses | ||
| EDT 3024 | Differentiated Mathematics Instruction for All Learners | 3 |
| or EDT 4021 | General Methods for Secondary Teachers | |
| EDT 4010 | Methods of Teaching Reading and Writing | 3 |
| EDT 4022 | Interdisciplinary Approaches to Teaching in the Content Areas | 3 |
| Total Units | 26 | |
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These common courses are required for a preliminary credential in Multiple/Single Subject.
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All candidates who earn this preliminary credential will have an English Learner Authorization listed on their credential.
Single Subject Candidates
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course | ||
| CST 1000 | Introduction to the Christian Tradition (GE) | 3 |
| Common Courses 1,2 | ||
| EDT 3002 | Foundations of Education and Learning Theory | 3 |
| EDT 3006 | Language Acquisition and Diverse Populations | 3 |
| EDT 4004 | Foundations of Special Education | 3 |
| EDT 4009 | Classroom Assessment and Research Practices | 3 |
| EDT 4018A | Trauma-Informed Care and Classroom Management | 1 |
| EDT 4018B | Culturally-Responsive Planning and Teaching | 1 |
| Single Subject Courses | ||
| EDT 4020 | Literacy Instruction for Secondary Teachers | 3 |
| EDT 4021 | General Methods for Secondary Teachers | 3 |
| Choose one (1) content-specific pedagogy course from the following: | 3 | |
| Interdisciplinary Approaches to Teaching in the Content Areas | ||
| Methods for Teaching Secondary Language Arts | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Mathematics | ||
| Methods of Teaching Secondary Science | ||
| Methods for Teaching Secondary Social Science | ||
| Methods for Teaching Secondary Foreign Language | ||
| Methods for Teaching Secondary Visual Arts | ||
| Methods for Teaching Secondary Physical Education | ||
| Content-Specific Pedagogy for Secondary Teachers | ||
| Total Units | 26 | |
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These common courses are required for a preliminary credential in Multiple/Single Subject.
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All candidates who earn this preliminary credential will have an English Learner Authorization listed on their credential.
Clinical Practice Requirements
All candidates for an initial preliminary credential must complete eight (8) units of Clinical Practice1 (Student Teaching) along with the required seminars for a total of ten (10) additional units.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Practice | 8 | |
| Education Specialist: | ||
| Education Specialist Clinical Practice I | ||
| Education Specialist Clinical Practice II | ||
| Multiple Subject: | ||
| Elementary Clinical Practice I | ||
| Elementary Clinical Practice II | ||
| Single Subject: | ||
| Secondary Clinical Practice I (CalTPA Cycle 1) | ||
| Secondary Clinical Practice II (CalTPA Cycle 2) | ||
| Seminars | ||
| EDT 40CP1 | Elementary Clinical Practice Seminar I | 1 |
| EDT 40CP2 | Elementary Clinical Practice Seminar II | 1 |
| Total Units | 10 | |
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An additional four (4) units of Clinical Practice is required for each credential added to an initial credential.
In addition, to be eligible for a credential, candidates must take and pass the California Teacher Performance Assessments (CalTPAs), as well as the required testing for the credential as required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).