COURSE CURRICULUM

The Liberal Studies Teacher Preparation program at San José State University is a 120-unit undergraduate degree designed for students preparing to become elementary or middle school teachers through a structured, interdisciplinary curriculum. The program integrates general education, subject matter preparation, and professional training focused on K–8 teaching standards. Only a small portion of lower division general education (9 units) is taken separately because most GE requirements are embedded within the major coursework, along with completion of physical education and writing-in-the-disciplines requirements. The major includes 97 units of coursework covering reading and language development, history and social science, mathematics, science, visual and performing arts, child development, and health education, ensuring broad subject mastery across elementary school disciplines. Students complete foundational courses in English composition, literacy development, children’s literature, and language structure, along with social science courses in U.S., California, and world history, plus thematic sequences such as American studies, Asian American history, or Chicana and Chicano history. Mathematics and science requirements provide preparation in numerical reasoning, geometry, probability, chemistry, physics, and environmental science, while arts education includes training in music, theatre, dance, and visual arts tailored for classroom instruction. Additional requirements include human development coursework, introduction to liberal studies, and specialized electives that allow exploration of topics such as culture, religion, creativity, and interdisciplinary studies. Field-based learning is built into the program through structured fieldwork experiences, helping students apply theory in real classroom settings. The program also includes a capstone seminar and advanced writing requirement to synthesize learning. Graduates complete 5–7 units of university electives and are prepared for entry into teacher credential pathways with a strong foundation in subject knowledge, pedagogy, and inclusive educational practice.