BA in Liberal Studies/Teacher Preparation

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If you already know that you want to be an elementary school teacher, or if you’re looking for a rigorous, interdisciplinary academic major, the blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Preparation program is right for you.

In just four years, this major leads to both a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential. So, soon after graduation, you’ll be ready to step into the classroom and start teaching.

If you are not sure that you want to be a teacher, you can plan your Liberal Studies major with a different career in mind. You can continue taking classes connected with education, but concentrate on a field of your choice. You can pursue one of seven concentrations: history, psychology, science, music, art, English, and math.

As a degree-only student, you can tailor your Liberal Studies major to your interests and career goals. You can take classes in art, music, psychology, math, English, history, drama, health and wellness, physical education, and science, depending on your chosen focus.

Why Dominican?

"The Liberal Studies program allowed me to reach my goals and begin my career immediately upon graduation because I could focus specifically on my path to becoming a teacher. The classes I took were geared towards my teaching career and how I would apply what I learned directly in a classroom setting.

—Anita Collison, class of 2005

Our Liberal Studies/Teacher Preparation program is a leading-edge academic program that has been recognized as exemplary by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.It is the only private-university, 4-year degree/credential program in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most local California State universities have either eliminated or severely limited enrollment in their programs.

Our classes have been specially designed with the K-12 California content standards in mind. They are rigorous and challenging, but also engaging and inspiring. We are always trying to make learning as active and interesting as possible, so you’ll be learning both through traditional lectures as well as through active collaboration with partners and in small groups, on-line, in the field, and as part of service learning. 

Degree/Credential program

"I teach in a highly diverse school district with many special needs students. Dominican's outstanding Liberal Studies/Teacher Education program truly prepared me to teach with confidence the children of California.

—Lindsay Summers, class of 2008

Students tell us all the time that they want to teach because they want to make a difference in the lives of children. But, becoming an elementary school teacher is not for the faint of heart. Teaching elementary-age students is challenging while at the same time extremely rewarding.

To become a teacher, after graduation you will need to pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET) and the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA). We are here to prepare you for both of those exams.

Degree-only program

If you are earning a Liberal Studies degree, you will be prepared for many professions as well as graduate studies. Because you will be getting a multi-disciplinary education, you will graduate with a broad range of knowledge and skills that can be successfully translated to many occupations. You’ll develop valuable critical-thinking, problem-solving and communication skills that are an asset in any workplace. You’ll learn to be a team player and a leader. In particular, you will be prepared to work alongside education professionals in the field.