About Us

Cal Poly’s Liberal Studies Department creates the teachers of tomorrow. Our alumni are well-prepared to enter a credential program with a distinctive edge in the arts, science, technology, and mathematics. Liberal Studies students graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree that puts them on the fast track to a teaching credential.

Liberal Studies is Cal Poly's pre-credential teacher preparation program, leading to eligibility for enrollment in a multiple subject credential program. The mission of Liberal Studies is to ensure that graduates are prepared to teach competently and professionally each of the seven domains in the state-mandated curriculum (K-8). These include language arts, mathematics, science, history/social sciences, visual and performing arts, health/physical education, and human development. Liberal Studies provides the educational experience and preparation best suited for the prospective elementary teacher.

Faculty from the following disciplines help to offer the required curriculum in the major: Biological Sciences, English, Ethnic Studies, History, Kinesiology and Public Health, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Physics, Psychology and Child Development, Social Sciences, Statistics, Theater, and Education.

A depth of study is required to get a B.S. at Cal Poly. Liberal Studies majors select a concentration or, with prior approval from the department chair, an individualized course of study.  For students on the 2021-22 catalog or later, there are also three minors that may be taken in place of a concentration.  For more information about concentrations, please visit this page.