Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary, B.A.

Mission

The mission of the Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary major is to provide a broad, liberal arts education to Christian students, enriching their personal and professional life in a wide range of subjects, such as literature, math, science, history, communications, Bible, theology, music and art, preparing them to step into professional educational roles, or graduate school, with a quality, liberal arts background.

Degree Program

A Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary is offered upon completion of the University baccalaureate and major requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon the completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge and comprehension of subject matter content (ULO 1).
  2. Integrate personal faith with intellectual learning through incorporating subject matter knowledge with Christian beliefs (ULO 1, 2).
  3. Develop effective communication skills (ULO 2, 3).
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking skills by synthesizing information from multiple sources (ULO 1).
  5. Integrate breadth and/or depth of knowledge in concentration-specific content into philosophy of education (ULO 1).
  6. Identify and/or adapt evidence-based and promising practices that are culturally and linguistically competent (ULO 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

Writing Competency

Every Biola student must fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement (WCR). Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary students fulfill the WCR by passing ENGL 3134 with a C+ or better. If they fail to meet this requirement, they must consult with their major advisor for an alternative WCR pathway. For more information, see the section titled "Writing Competency Requirement" under the Admission, Enrollment and Graduation Requirements section.

Torrey Honors College

Please refer to the footnotes regarding the Core Curriculum courses that are covered by the Torrey Honors College. 

Curriculum Requirements

Program Courses Meeting Core Curriculum Requirements
Behavioral Science:
PSYC 200Introduction to Psychology3
English:
ENGL 3134Writing in the Disciplines for Educators3
Fine Arts: 1
Select one of the following:3
Art Appreciation
Film Appreciation
Music Appreciation
Theatre Appreciation
Integration Seminar:
BBST 4652Integration Seminar: Christian Philosophy of Education3
Kinesiology & Health Science:
KNES 107Lifetime Wellness1
KNES 201Elementary Physical Education Methods and Activities (or one Lifetime Wellness activity)1-2
Philosophy: 1
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to Logic
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Ethics
Science/Math:
BIOS 105Biology for Educators4
MATH 117Fundamentals of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I3
U.S. History: 1
HIST 200United States History To 18653
Program Courses
ARTS 306Elementary Art Workshop3
HIST 201United States History Since 18653
HIST 403California History3
LEDU 301Introduction to Teaching 23
LEDU 324Performing Arts in Education1
LEDU 335Child Development: Birth through Adolescence 33
LEDU 380Children's Literature3
MATH 118Fundamentals of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II3
MUSC 310Elementary Music Workshop2
PHSC 101Physical Science Survey: Lecture3
PHSC 102Physical Science Survey Laboratory1
Select one of the following:3
Linguistic Anthropology
Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students
Cross-Cultural/Ethnic Issues in Psychology
Unequal Justice: Race, Class, Gender and Crime
Program Course Requirements: 58-59 credits
Concentrations
In addition to the program courses, each student must complete a concentration, which consists of approved coursework in one of the following subject areas: Biology, Early Childhood, English, Health and Exercise, History, Human Development, Mathematics, Sociology, Spanish, Special Education, TESOL or Visual Arts. See requirements listed below.12-13
Core Curriculum Requirements 448
General Electives 50-2
Total Credits120
1

Courses covered by the Torrey Honors College.

2

This course is a prerequisite to the Early Childhood and Special Education concentration courses.

3

This course is a prerequisite to Early Childhood concentration courses.

4

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

5

Students who take a 1-credit Lifetime Wellness course in place of KNES 201 and complete a 12-credit concentration are required to take 2 credits of general electives.

Students who take KNES 201 and complete a 12-credit concentration are required to take 1 credit of general electives.

Students who take KNES 201 and complete 13 credits in the Bilingual Education in Spanish track of the Spanish concentration are not required to take any general electives.

Concentrations

Biology

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following, 3 of which must be upper division:12
Introduction to Environmental Science
Current Topics in Biology
Nutrition
Botany
Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology
Vertebrate Biology
Ecological Agriculture
Global Development and Ecological Sustainability
Invertebrate Biology
Marine Biology
Conservation Biology
General Ecology
Seminar in Advanced Biology
Total Credits12

Early Childhood

Concentration Courses
LEDU 356Early Childhood Curriculum3
LEDU 357School/Family/Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Urban Settings3
LEDU 358Classroom Management in Early Childhood Settings3
LEDU 359Observation and Assessment of Young Children3
Total Credits12

English

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Introduction to English Studies
Advanced Composition
Studies in Grammar and Language
Creative Writing: Poetry
Creative Writing: Fiction
Studies in American Literature
Studies in British Literature
Studies in Shakespeare
Total Credits12

Health and Exercise

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Public Health Principles and Practice
Health Education and Health Promotion
Health Behavior and Health Promotion
Psychology of Exercise and Health
Leadership in Sport and Human Movement
Total Credits12

History

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Studies in British History
American Democracy, Civil War and Reconstruction, 1800–1877
History of Latin America
Ancient Greece
Roman History
The Rise of Modern America, 1877–1920
The United States Since 1920
The American West
Renaissance and Reformation
Early Modern Europe
War and Civilization
Survey of American Government
Total Credits12

Human Development

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Psychology and Christian Thought
Statistics with Computer Applications
and Statistics with Computer Applications Lab
Human Sexuality
Psychological Testing and Assessment
Introduction to Psychopathology
Cross-Cultural/Ethnic Issues in Psychology
Developmental Psychology: Lifespan
Seminar in Therapeutic Techniques
Psychology of Marriage and Family
Total Credits12

Intercultural Studies

As of Spring 2024, this concentration is in teach-out phase; it is not open to new or readmit students.

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Cultural Anthropology
Linguistic Anthropology
Intercultural Competence & Diversity in the Global Workplace
Intercultural Adjustment
Ethnicity and Diversity in America
Area and Ethnic Studies
Intercultural Communication
World Religions and Pluralism
Total Credits12

Mathematics

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits, 3 of which must be upper-division, from the following:12
Precalculus Mathematics
Fundamentals of Calculus
Calculus I
Calculus II
Discrete Structures
Introduction to Abstract Math
Linear Algebra
Biostatistics
Classical Geometry
Number Theory and the History of Mathematics
Total Credits12

Sociology

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Social Problems
Sociology of Gender
Unequal Justice: Race, Class, Gender and Crime
Ethnic and Minority Groups
Social Inequality: Race, Class and Gender
American Culture and Values
Sociology of Wealth and Poverty
Sociology of Disabilities
Total Credits12

Spanish

Concentration Courses
Select one of the following tracks:12-13
Second Language Learners
Select one or two of the following (based upon language assessment):
Spanish Language and Culture III
Advanced Spanish Communication I
Advanced Spanish Communication II
Select one or two of the following (based upon language assessment):
Hispanic Civilization and Culture
Hispanic Studies: Culture, Language, or Literature
Topics in Hispanic Culture
Spanish Applied Linguistics and Teaching Pedagogy
Heritage Learners
Select one or two of the following (based upon language assessment):
Basic Spanish for the Heritage Learner
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners I
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners II
Select one or two of the following (based upon language assessment):
Hispanic Civilization and Culture
Hispanic Studies: Culture, Language, or Literature
Topics in Hispanic Culture
Spanish Applied Linguistics and Teaching Pedagogy
Bilingual Education in Spanish 1
Select one of the following (based upon language assessment): 2
Advanced Spanish Communication I
Advanced Spanish Communication II
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners I
Advanced Spanish for Heritage Learners II
Complete the following:
Latina/o Diversity in a U.S. Context
Socio-historical Context for Bilingual Education – Spanish
Bilingual Methodologies - Spanish
Total Credits12-13
1

Requires 12-13 credits depending on language assessment.

2

If one of these courses is not required based upon language assessment, a 3-credit elective approved by the School of Education must be completed.

Special Education

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Issues in Special Education
Assessment and Evaluation of Exceptional Learners
Teaching Students with Mild to Moderate Support Needs in Inclusive Settings
Behavior and Classroom Management for Students with Special Needs
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders
Total Credits12

TESOL

As of Summer 2024, this concentration is in teach-out phase; it is not open to new or readmit students.

Concentration Courses
Select 12 credits from the following:12
Grammar for English Teachers
Materials Evaluation and Preparation
English Language Teaching Methods
Ethics, Values, and Intercultural Communication for TESOL Professionals
Teaching English to Young Learners
Topics in TESOL
Practicum in TESOL I
Total Credits12

Visual Arts

Concentration Courses
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Drawing I
Figure Studies I
Digital Tools
2-D Foundations
3-D Foundations
Sculpture I
Ceramics I
Painting I
Photography I-Introduction to Darkroom and Digital Processes
Select 9 credits of ARTS elective courses, 3 of which must be upper-division 19
Total Credits12
1

Courses must be selected in consultation with a department advisor in order to create a focus area.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary, B.A.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
ENGL 100 or 1123KNES 107 (fulfills Core Lifetime Wellness requirement)1
GNST 1021MATH 1183
MATH 117 (fulfills Math Core Curriculum requirement)3PSYC 200 (fulfills Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement)3
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4Communication (see Core Curriculum)3
 Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4
 14 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 2093BBST 2103
BIOS 105 (fulfills Science Core Curriculum requirement)4BBST 2513
HIST 100 or 1013ARTS 100, CNMA 110, MUSC 101, or THTR 160 (choose one; fulfills Fine Arts Core Curriculum requirement)3
LEDU 3013LEDU 3353
Literature (see Core Curriculum)3PHSC 1013
 PHSC 1021
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 3653
BBST 3543HIST 2013
HIST 200 (fulfills 3 credits of History Curriculum requirement)3HIST 4033
ENGL 3134 (fulfills ENGL 313 Core Curriculum requirement)3PHIL 210, 214, or 215 (choose one; fulfills Philosophy Core Curriculum requirement)3
KNES 201 (fulfills Core Lifetime Wellness Activity requirement; or 1 KNES Activity)2Concentration13
General Elective1Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office
Writing Competency Requirement 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 4652 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
ARTS 3063ANTH 310, LEDU 341, PSYC 319, or SOCI 3363
LEDU 3803LEDU 3241
Concentration13Concentration13
Concentration13MUSC 3102
 15 12
Total Credits 120
1

Concentration: Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary majors must complete 12-13 credits of advanced study in one specific concentration. See list in catalog.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary, B.A.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
GNST 1021MATH 1183
MATH 117 (fulfills Math Core Curriculum requirement)3KNES 107 (fulfills Core Lifetime Wellness requirement)1
Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum)4
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
HIST 2013BIOS 105 (fulfills Science Core Curriculum requirement)4
LEDU 3013LEDU 3241
PSYC 200 (fulfills Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement)3LEDU 3353
 17 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
KNES 201 (fulfills Core Lifetime Wellness Activity requirement; or 1 KNES Activity)1-2ARTS 3063
PHSC 1013ENGL 3134 (fulfills ENGL 313 Core Curriculum requirement)3
PHSC 1021ANTH 310, LEDU 341, PSYC 319, or SOCI 3363
 Concentration13
 11-12 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
BBST 4652 (fulfills BBST 465 Integration Seminar requirement)3HNRS 4672
HIST 4033LEDU 3803
Concentration13Concentration13
Concentration13MUSC 3102
 16 14
Total Credits 124-125
1

Concentration: Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary majors must complete 12-13 credits of advanced study in one specific concentration. See list in catalog.