Transfer to Liberal Studies!
Why Choose to Transfer into Liberal Studies?
Liberal Studies is Cal Poly’s pre-credential undergraduate teacher preparation program for a multiple-subject credential. It provides the educational experience and preparation ideal for developing outstanding elementary teachers. If you join the Liberal Studies department as a transfer student, you will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree putting you on track to a multiple subject teaching credential and a career in a K-8 classroom. Learn more about Liberal Studies here Liberal Studies Department.
Which Transfer Path is Right for Me?
Traditional Transfer Path:
Earn a Cal Poly Liberal Studies Degree on the Cal Poly campus. This degree path is designed with the flexibility to choose an area of concentration to help you with your career advancement. A wider range of support classes are offered on a more traditional university schedule.
Cal Poly at CUESTA College Path:
Earn a Cal Poly Liberal Studies Degree with an Early Childhood Education focus on the Cuesta College campus. This degree path is designed to allow working-professionals with an educational focus to earn a Cal Poly Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with an individualized course of study concentration. Courses are offered using a cohort model and scheduled evenings from 4-9pm Monday-Thursday plus two-hours/week in a PK-6 classroom. The 2025-26 courses will be mostly (if not entirely) in person.
Getting Started on Either Path is Easy!
STEP 1:
Make sure you are on track to satisfy Cal Poly transfer criteria for Liberal Studies.
Interested students should reach out to there college advising center to ensure they are on track to meet Cal Poly's transfer criteria for Liberal Studies.
Cuesta College Programs, Advising
Cuesta Transfer Center
Phone: 805-546-3162
transfer@cuesta.edu
Transfer criteria for both transfer pathways are posted here: www.calpoly.edu/admissions/liberal-studies
STEP 2:
Once you have begun your second year, apply to transfer to Liberal Studies either following:
The Traditional Transfer Path on the Cal Poly Campus (Liberal Studies: Main Campus)
-OR-
The Cal Poly at Cuesta Path on the Cuesta College San Luis Obispo Campus (Liberal Studies: Cuesta Campus)
All prospective and conditionally admitted transfer students should direct questions to admissions@calpoly.edu.
More Cal Poly Transfer-Student Resources: https://advising.calpoly.edu/transfer-advising
Learn more about how to apply.
Both pathways are Cal Poly Degrees. Find out more about Cal Poly program costs here Cal Poly Costs
Application Questions
Cal Poly Admissions
Phone: 805-756-2311
admissions@calpoly.edu
STEP 3:
Take two years* of Cal Poly Liberal Studies courses on either the Cal Poly Campus or the Cuesta Campus depending on your chosen path.
*The Cal Poly at Cuesta path is new. As a result historical graduation data is not available. However, because of the cohort nature of the Cal Poly at Cuesta Path, to increase the likelihood that you are able to graduate in two years, we strongly recommend that you enter this path having completed the following courses or their equivalents. You do not need to complete these courses to enter the program, but you will need all of them (or their equivalents) to graduate.
Programs comparable to an Elementary Teacher Education Associate's Degree for Transfer or the Cuesta Elementary Education: Child Development Emphasis Associate's Degree (PK-6) are well aligned with the courses required in this degree program. Information about Associate’s Degree for Transfer in Elementary Teacher Education and Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education: Child Development Emphasis (PK-6) is available here: www.cuesta.edu/academics/areas-of-study/all-degrees-certificates.html. It is possible to enter the program without all of these courses, but you will need to complete missing courses.
Apply for financial aid at Cal Poly or contact the financial aid department with questions.
STEP 4
Graduate with a Cal Poly Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies!
Liberal Studies provides the educational experience and preparation ideal for developing outstanding elementary teachers. The program prepares you to teach all seven content areas – language arts, mathematics, science, history and social sciences, visual and performing arts, health and physical education, and human development – with skill and confidence. You will graduate with a bachelor of science degree putting you on track to a multiple subject teaching credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
See answers to common questions.
Is there financial aid available for transfer students?
Yes! Students choosing either transfer path should apply for financial aid. What a student receives depends on their individual circumstances.
Find out more about Cal Poly program costs here Cal Poly Costs
What coursework do I need to complete to apply to transfer into Liberal Studies?
Transfer criteria for both transfer pathways are posted here: www.calpoly.edu/admissions/liberal-studies
If you are choosing the Cal Poly at Cuesta Path, we strongly recommend that you enter this path having completed the following courses or their equivalents. You do not need to complete these courses to enter the program, but you will need all of them (or their equivalents) to graduate.
We encourage applicants on either path co consider entering with an Associate's degree like an Associate’s Degree for Transfer in Elementary Teacher Education or the Cuesta College Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education: Child Development Emphasis (PK-6) www.cuesta.edu/academics/areas-of-study/all-degrees-certificates.html. These associate’s degrees will help make your application competitive and increase the likelihood that you will be able to graduate in two years for either path.
How are courses structured?
Traditional Transfer Path on the Cal Poly Campus …
Courses will be taught on the Cal Poly Campus offered on a traditional university schedule with classes generally offered between 7am and 9pm, Monday through Friday.
Cal Poly at Cuesta Path on the Cuesta College Campus …
Courses will be taught on the Cuesta San Luis Obispo Campus Monday through Thursday evenings between 4-9pm.
For both Paths …
Courses will follow the Cal Poly Calendar. Learn-by-doing field experiences in educational settings during the school day are required for one or more courses each term. Most courses will be held in person. Some courses may be hybrid format (part online, part in person) and potentially online.
Why choose the Cal Poly at Cuesta Path on the Cuesta College Campus instead of following the Traditional Transfer Path on the Cal Poly Campus?
First, both are great options if you are interested in becoming a PK-8 teacher. The Cal Poly at Cuesta Path is designed to support working-professionals, particularly those working in education related spaces and those interested in focusing on early childhood education.
The curriculum is offered in a cohort model, with courses scheduled on the Cuesta Campus evenings 4-9pm, Monday through Thursday. This sacrifices some of the flexibility of the Traditional Transfer Path on the Cal Poly Campus to ensure working-professionals will have access to the courses they need at times that accommodate their other obligations.
Although students on this path will take Cal Poly classes at the Cuesta campus, they will still be Mustangs! This program provides students with the same access to Cal Poly resources: clubs, library resources, healthcare, advising, career support, etc. Students will also be able to attend events such as the Week of Welcome, sports events, performances, etc. to experience Cal Poly’s campus community. Access to some wrap-around support services will be incorporated in the Monday through Thursday 4-9pm window. In addition, each term includes Learn-by-doing field experiences in educational settings.
Does a Liberal Studies Degree at Cal Poly include a Credential?
The short answer is No. A Liberal Studies Degree is the undergraduate track designed to prepare you for a multiple subject teaching credential and a career in a K-8 classroom.
More information about completing your multiple subject teaching credential at Cal Poly is available here: www.soe.calpoly.edu/content/multiple-subject
Will my disability support resources continue?
Students on both paths will likely receive the same services, but they do have to apply through the Cal Poly Disability Resource Center. The form is here: Student Request for Services.
If I have questions about the programs, who should I reach out to?
Cuesta College Programs, Advising
Cuesta Transfer Center
Phone: 805-546-3162
Cal Poly Transfer Information
Cal Poly Admissions
Phone: 805-756-6200
Text: 805-865-7177
admissions@calpoly.edu
How credits will transfer — email Cal Poly Admissions
Cal Poly Liberal Studies Advising
Cal Poly BCSM Advising
Phone: 805-756-2615
bcsmadvising@calpoly.edu
Cal Poly Liberal Studies Program
Cal Poly Liberal Studies Dept.
Phone: 805-756-2935
libstud@calpoly.edu