Minor in Liberal Studies

APU’s liberal studies minor is a multidisciplinary program that adds foundational elements of K-8 subject-matter preparation and practical field experience to any student’s major course of study.

22-23 units

The liberal studies minor is a multidisciplinary program that adds foundational elements of K-8 subject-matter preparation and practical field experience to any student’s major course of study. The program provides students with the opportunity to develop a teaching philosophy and acquire basic subject-matter knowledge in five to seven content areas with an understanding of diversity and culture in a classroom setting; this may provide some preparation for substitute teaching and lesson planning. Students work closely with an advisor in major and minor fields in order to create an organized on-campus study.

NOTE: The minor does not fulfill the California Subject Matter Requirement. Liberal studies minors must maintain a C or higher in all courses credited toward the minor.

Requirements

Core Courses
EDLS 200Introduction to Teaching as a Profession K-12 14
or EDLS 202 Introduction to Teaching as a Profession (7-12)
EDLS 405Diversity in the Classroom 23
Subject-matter Electives
Select five of the following:15-16
ART 310
Fundamental Art Experiences 3
BIOL 400
Science and Children
ENGL 434
Children's Literature
MATH 201
Mathematics Concepts for Elementary Teachers
or MATH 301
 Mathematics for Secondary Teachers
MUS 432
Music in the Elementary Schools
PE 450
Physical Education in Elementary Schools, K-6
EDLS 303
Introduction to Special Populations
or EDLS 304
 Introduction to Teaching Special Populations
EDLS 495
Foundations of Education Capstone 4
Total Units22-23
1

Meets the General Education Civic Knowledge and Engagement requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Intercultural Competence requirement.

3

Meets the General Education Humanities: Fine Arts requirement. 

4

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Analyze and demonstrate proficiency in subject matter required of K6 teachers by the State of California
    2.
  2. Integrate K8 curriculum concepts and disciplines through the application of lesson plans, papers, and projects in Children's Literature, Mathematical Concepts for Elementary Teachers, Science and Children, Fundamental Art Experiences, Music in the Elementary Schools, Physical Education in the Elementary Schools
    3.
  3. Define teaching methods of instruction using best practices with a Christian perspective while integrating K8 curriculum concepts and disciplines through the application of lesson plans, papers, and projects
  4. Understand cultural diversity issues within the context of the classroom through service-learning experiences and in class discussion
    5.
  5. Identify a distinctive Christian perspective compared to a secular perspective as it pertains to different education issues