Prospective Students
B.S. Liberal Studies
Cal Poly's Liberal Studies program provides a B.S. in Liberal Studies, an Undergraduate Teacher Preparation Program.
The focus of Cal Poly Liberal Studies Department is on the pre-professional training of high-quality elementary school teachers. The curriculum is particularly notable for its balance between teacher training and a strong commitment to a broadly-based and rigorous university education. Cal Poly Liberal Studies majors will be especially well prepared in the "high need" areas of science and math.
The Cal Poly Liberal Studies Department specifically targets top-quality early deciders who apply to Cal Poly as freshmen. While attending the university, these students will:
- Develop meaningful relationships over a longer time with faculty, staff, and fellow students who share an interest in elementary education
- Have the opportunity to build a deeper understanding of the K-8 community
- Be more effectively socialized in their profession.
Liberal Studies undergraduate students spend more time studying the teaching of reading than our current graduate level credential candidates. In addition, each student must choose from one of several subject matter concentration areas. Learn more about our concentration areas here.
The curriculum gives specific and detailed attention to the innovative coordination of academic subjects with courses and field experiences that are focused on the professional and practical needs of California's elementary school teachers.
Students have the opportunity to get multiple subject matter preparation in our undergraduate degree, develop an area of concentration to help advance their career, and meet pre-requisites for a multiple subject teaching credential. The Liberal Studies program is the product of a strong, collegial, and formal collaboration between the Liberal Studies department and other departments: 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 the School of Education.
Learn more about Cal Poly's credential program here.
Transfer to Liberal Studies
Liberal Studies welcomes students who begin their education at a community college or another institution. Transfer students earn a Cal Poly Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies, building a strong foundation for elementary education and taking an important step toward a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential.
| Choose the transfer pathway that fits you: |
|---|
| Bachelor’s Pathway Program (BPP) in Liberal Studies at Cuesta College: Complete your Cal Poly Liberal Studies degree at Cuesta College through a supported, cohort-based pathway designed for future elementary educators and working education professionals. Evening, hybrid, and online course formats help students balance their studies with work and other responsibilities. |
| Traditional Transfer at Cal Poly: Complete your Cal Poly Liberal Studies degree on the Cal Poly campus through a more traditional university schedule. This pathway offers a broader range of support-course options and flexibility to choose an area of concentration that supports your interests and career goals. |
Both pathways lead to the same Cal Poly Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies and include Learn by Doing field experiences in educational settings.
Compare Liberal Studies transfer pathways
Review Liberal Studies transfer admission criteria
Learn more about the pathways to transfer into Liberal Studies here, including the Bachelor's Pathway Programs in Liberal Studies at Cuesta!
Career Options
To find out about jobs, internships, and fellowships available for Liberal Studies majors and graduates, visit Cal Poly Career Services.
