The Liberal Studies: Emphasis in Education Degree prepares students to transfer to a Liberal Studies—Teacher Education bachelor’s degree program. The degree is intended to provide students with options to select appropriate coursework to meet lower-division requirements of the Liberal Studies program of the four-year institution they are planning to attend. Articulation agreements for most Liberal Studies—Teacher Education programs offered at the University of California and the California State University systems are available on the ASSIST website at www.assist.org.

Liberal Studies—Teaching Education programs are different at each four-year institution. Therefore, students must select their courses for the Associate Degree in consultation with an SBCC academic counselor to ensure they satisfy the lower-division preparation for the Liberal Studies program of the four-year institution to which they are planning to transfer.

The Liberal Studies: Emphasis in Education Degree at Santa Barbara City College is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with a foundation of knowledge in the areas of English composition, critical thinking, oral communication, physical and life sciences, arts and humanities, and social sciences. Through this program, students acquire a breadth of knowledge across multiple disciplines, explore how knowledge across disciplines can be connected, analyze and evaluate ideas using the tools of critical thinking, and demonstrate effective communication skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Since Liberal Studies is a “college-wide” interdisciplinary Associate Degree program, it does not have departmental affiliation. Inquiries regarding the Liberal Studies program should be directed to an academic counselor or the Dean, Educational Programs—Student Development and Counseling.

Associate Degree Graduation Requirements

Complete all of the following:

1. All Department Requirements listed below with a “C” or better or “P” in each course (at least 20% of the department requirements must be completed through SBCC).
2. One of the following three General Education options:
   1. OPTION 1: A minimum of 18 units of SBCC General Education Requirements (Areas A-D) and Institutional Requirements (Area E) and Information Competency Requirement (Area F) OR
   2. OPTION 2: IGETC Pattern OR
   3. OPTION 3: CSU GE Breadth Pattern
3. A total of 60 degree-applicable units (SBCC courses numbered 100 and higher).
4. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all units attempted at SBCC.
5. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better in all college units attempted.
6. A minimum of 12 units through SBCC.

¹

COMM 235 Argumentation and Debate can only satisfy one core requirement (oral communication or critical thinking), not both.

²

At least one of the courses must have a lab

³

HIST 101 History Of The U.S. To 1877, HIST 102 History Of The U.S. Since 1865 or HIST 102H History Of The U.S. Since 1865, Honors, HIST 107 World Civilization, Beginnings To 1550, HIST 108 World Civilization, 1550 To Present can only satisfy one section (section 2 or section 3), not both.

Recommended Courses

1. Students will be able to apply the fundamentals of critical and reflective thinking to the analysis of the issues and challenges facing American education.
2. Students will develop a personal philosophy of education in order to be able to articulate their personal goals, values and beliefs about teaching.
3. Students will develop a pre-professional portfolio for use in the advancement in the field.

Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.

How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.