Undergraduate Liberal Studies

San Rafael Undergraduate Education:  Blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Education

The Blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Education Program is designed for candidates who have decided, early on, that they would like to be an elementary school teacher.  This major is multidisciplinary and leads to both a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential in four years. The Program integrates a variety of perspectives including humanities, science, mathematics, social science, and pedagogy. As a result, the Program equips candidates to make a difference–not just as teachers, but also as members of society. 

Program Features

• Faculty from both the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education
• Field experience begins in the Freshman year
• Specifically designed courses in: English, Mathemathics, History, Physical Eeducation, Health, Music, Psychology, Art, Drama and Science that incorporate the California K-12 Content Standards
• An in-depth investigation of effective teaching in a specific content area taught in the elementary school (Capstone Porject)
  Student Learning Outcomes  for the First Three Years in the Program (Year Four, Student Learning Outcomes are aligned with  the Program Outcomes for the Multiple-Subject Credential Program) 

Candidates will demonstrate:

• An  openness to different perspectives and respect for human similarities and differences
• An understanding of the link between academic content knowledge and its application to the field of elementary education
• An understanding of the uses of technology as a tool of instruction, the social and ethical implications of various technologies, and technology for personal use
• Through their Capstone Project, strategies for effectively teaching a specific academic content in the elementary school
  

Requirements for Blended Liberal Studies/Teacher Education Majors

(Year Four, Requirements are aligned with the Credential Program Requirements.)
Prior to receiving the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies/Teacher Education (Blended) (BLS/TE) and the Multiple Subject Credential, candidates must demonstrate a competent understanding of the subjects commonly taught in the elementary schools.

At Dominican University of California, the Liberal Studies/Teacher Education (Blended) Subject Matter Preparation Program as approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires candidates to:

• Have an overall GPA of 3.0;
• Receive at least a ‘C’ (2.0) grade in all courses for the major (LS seminars and Blended Courses);
• Participate (years 1, 2, 3) in an end-of-each-semester review and evaluation of their portfolio. Portfolios include Subject Matter evidence;
• Successfully complete fieldwork and the required documentation;
• Pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), including writing,  prior to entering the teacher education portion of the Program;
• Pass Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) prior to applying for the Preliminary Multiple Subject Credential