Overview

The Liberal Studies program of San Francisco State University consists of innovative courses in the areas of literature; communication; performance; education; environmental studies; science and technology studies; social sciences, humanities, the creative arts, and medical anthropology.  This richly diversified major gives students skills and knowledge that will serve them well for work and life in our increasingly complex and interconnected world.  Its well-rounded curriculum provides robust preparation for future teachers, and the LS major is specifically recommended as a pathway for students who want to become elementary school teachers.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Reflect critically on students' education and their program of study.

• Recognize scholarship on which practice and knowledge in a discipline are based.

• Write critical and/or argument-based papers that can distinguish between different disciplinary methods and perspectives and potentially integrate them.

• Identify and utilize modes of inquiry within their major field or discipline and be able to compare and contrast these modes with those in other disciplines and fields.

• Analyze a complex issue, theme or problem by applying multiple perspectives, theories, concepts and modes of inquiry.

Career paths

The Liberal Studies major prepares students for future employment in a variety of fields, including education, government or public service, the arts, management, communications, humanities, and social sciences, and work involving multicultural communities. The teacher preparation emphasis provides the broad academic background necessary for teaching in an elementary classroom and as part of a student’s preparation for the CSET Multiple Subjects (California Subject Examinations for Teachers).  Additionally, LS students can take course-work satisfying the multiple-subject elementary subject matter waiver requirements, which replaces the CSET exams for entering a credential program (interested students should consult an LS adviser).  The major is also appropriate preparation for various professional and graduate programs such as business, counseling, law, librarianship, medicine, and for disciplinary or interdisciplinary graduate programs.