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:
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge and comprehension of subject matter content (ULO 1).
- Integrate personal faith with intellectual learning through incorporating subject matter knowledge with Christian beliefs (ULO 1, 2).
- Develop effective communication skills (ULO 2, 3).
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills by synthesizing information from multiple sources (ULO 1).
- Integrate breadth and/or depth of knowledge in concentration-specific content into philosophy of education (ULO 1).
- 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). Students fulfill the WCR by passing ENGL 313 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.
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
Transfer students may fulfill their Core Curriculum requirements by completing Biola University's Core Curriculum or completing the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).
The IGETC model is accepted for the Liberal Studies Multidisciplinary major with the following provisions:
- The current foreign language requirement for all bachelor degrees cannot be completed by the IGETC/CSU Breadth certification.
- If not met through IGETC course selections, students must take PSYC 200.
- If IGETC courses do not meet the subject matter requirements for a preliminary teaching credential, the CSET exam will be required.
Torrey Honors College
Please refer to the footnotes regarding the Core Curriculum courses that are covered by the Torrey Honors College. All other program-specific core curriculum courses must be taken.
Curriculum Requirements
Integration Seminar Requirement
Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary majors must take the following course to meet their Bible Integration requirement: BBST 465 as "Christian Philosophy of Education."
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| English: | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines | ||
| Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary majors must take the major specific section of ENGL 313 to meet their English requirement. | ||
| Science/Math: | ||
| Biology for Educators | ||
| Fundamentals of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I | ||
| U.S. History: | ||
| United States History To 1865 1 | ||
| Behavioral Science: | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Fine Arts: 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Art Appreciation | ||
| Music Appreciation | ||
| Theatre Appreciation | ||
| Philosophy: 1 | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Introduction to Logic | ||
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Introduction to Ethics | ||
| Physical Education: | ||
| Lifetime Wellness | ||
| Elementary Physical Education Methods and Activities (or one Lifetime Wellness activity) | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| ARTS 306 | Elementary Art Workshop | 3 |
| HIST 201 | United States History Since 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 403 | California History | 3 |
| LEDU 301 | Introduction to Teaching | 3 |
| LEDU 324 | Performing Arts in Education | 1 |
| LEDU 335 | Child Development: Birth through Adolescence | 3 |
| LEDU 380 | Children's Literature | 3 |
| MATH 118 | Fundamentals of Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II | 3 |
| MUSC 310 | Elementary Music Workshop | 2 |
| PHSC 101 | Physical Science Survey: Lecture | 4 |
| PHSC 102 | Physical Science Survey Laboratory | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Intercultural Adjustment | ||
| Area and Ethnic Studies | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 32 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, Intercultural Studies, Mathematics, Sociology, Spanish, Special Education, TESOL or Visual Arts. See requirements listed below. | 12-13 | |
| Core Curriculum Requirements 2 | 75 | |
| General Electives 3 | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 120-121 | |
- 1
Courses covered by the Torrey Honors College.
- 2
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
- 3
A 1-credit general elective is required for students who complete a 12-credit concentration and 75 credits of Core Curriculum courses due to taking a 1-credit Lifetime Wellness course in place of KNES 201. Students who take KNES 201 or complete 13 credits in the Bilingual Education in Spanish track of the Spanish concentration will not need any General Elective credits.
Concentrations
Biology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Credits | 12 | |
Early Childhood
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite Courses | ||
| Introduction to Teaching | ||
| Child Development: Birth through Adolescence | ||
| Concentration Courses | ||
| LEDU 356 | Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
| LEDU 357 | School/Family/Community Partnerships in Early Childhood Urban Settings | 3 |
| LEDU 358 | Classroom Management in Early Childhood Settings | 3 |
| LEDU 359 | Observation and Assessment of Young Children | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
English
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Studies in Grammar and Language | ||
| Creative Writing: Poetry | ||
or ENGL 344 | Creative Writing: Fiction | |
| Studies in American Literature | ||
| Studies in British Literature | ||
| Studies in Shakespeare | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Health and Exercise
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Credits | 12 | |
History
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
| The Black American Experience | ||
| The Colonial Period, American Revolution, 1607–1800 | ||
| American Democracy, Civil War and Reconstruction, 1800–1877 | ||
| History of Latin America | ||
| Ancient Greece | ||
| History of East Asia | ||
| History of Mexico | ||
| The Rise of Modern America, 1877–1920 | ||
| The United States Since 1920 | ||
| The American West | ||
| Renaissance and Reformation | ||
| Early Modern Europe | ||
| Africa: History, Peoples and Culture | ||
| Survey of American Government | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Human Development
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
| Psychology of Marriage | ||
| Cross-Cultural/Ethnic Issues in Psychology | ||
| Developmental Psychology: Lifespan | ||
| Psychology of Family | ||
| Seminar in Therapeutic Techniques | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Intercultural Studies
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Credits | 12 | |
Mathematics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select 12 credits, 3 of which must be upper-division, from the following: | 12 | |
| Precalculus Mathematics | ||
or MATH 140 | Fundamentals of Calculus | |
| Calculus I | ||
| Discrete Structures | ||
or MATH 204 | Introduction to Abstract Math | |
| Linear Algebra | ||
| Biostatistics | ||
| Classical Geometry | ||
| Number Theory and the History of Mathematics | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Sociology
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Credits | 12 | |
Spanish
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ||
or SPAN 301 | 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 | ||
or SPAN 311 | 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 Credits | 12-13 | |
- 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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisite Courses | ||
| Introduction to Teaching | ||
| 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 Credits | 12 | |
TESOL
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Credits | 12 | |
Visual Arts
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Drawing I | ||
| Figure Studies I | ||
| Digital Tools | ||
| 2-D Design | ||
| 3-D Design | ||
| 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 1 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 103 or 165 | 3 | BBST 103 or 165 | 3 |
| ENGL 100 or 112 | 3 | KNES 107 | 1 |
| GNST 102 | 1 | MATH 118 | 3 |
| MATH 117 (required) | 3 | PSYC 200 (required) | 3 |
| Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 | Communication (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 | ||
| 14 | 17 | ||
| Total Credits 31 | |||
| Second Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 209 | 3 | BBST 210 | 3 |
| BIOS 105 (required) | 4 | BBST 251 | 3 |
| HIST 100 or 101 | 3 | ARTS 100, MUSC 101, or THTR 160 (choose one for Fine Arts Core Curr) | 3 |
| LEDU 301 | 3 | LEDU 335 | 3 |
| Literature (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | PHSC 101 | 4 |
| PHSC 102 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Total Credits 33 | |||
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 300/400 Bible Elective | 3 | BBST 365 | 3 |
| BBST 354 | 3 | HIST 201 | 3 |
| HIST 200 (required) | 3 | HIST 403 | 3 |
| ENGL 313 | 3 | PHIL 210, 214, or 215 (choose one for Phil Core Curr) | 3 |
| KNES 201 (or 1 KNES Activity) | 1-2 | Concentration1 | 3 |
| General Elective | 1 | Graduation Petition due in Registrar's Office | |
| Writing Competency Requirement | |||
| 14-15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 29-30 | |||
| Fourth Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 465 (Christian Phil of Educ - required) | 3 | BBST 300/400 Bible Elective | 3 |
| ARTS 306 | 3 | INCS 322, 332, 420, or LEDU 341 | 3 |
| LEDU 380 | 3 | LEDU 324 | 1 |
| Concentration1 | 3 | Concentration1 | 3 |
| Concentration1 | 3 | MUSC 310 | 2 |
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 27 | |||
- 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 101 | 4 | HNRS 105 | 4 |
| HNRS 102 | 4 | HNRS 106 | 4 |
| GNST 102 | 1 | MATH 118 | 3 |
| MATH 117 (required) | 3 | KNES 107 | 1 |
| Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 | Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 210 | 4 | HNRS 230 | 4 |
| HNRS 215 | 4 | HNRS 231 | 4 |
| HIST 201 | 3 | BIOS 105 (required) | 4 |
| LEDU 301 | 3 | LEDU 324 | 1 |
| PSYC 200 (required) | 3 | LEDU 335 | 3 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 324 | 4 | HNRS 337 | 4 |
| HNRS 326 | 2 | HNRS 339 | 2 |
| KNES 201 (or 1 KNES Activity) | 1-2 | ARTS 306 | 3 |
| PHSC 101 | 4 | ENGL 313 | 3 |
| PHSC 102 | 1 | LEDU 341, INCS 322, INCS 332, or INCS 420 | 3 |
| Concentration1 | 3 | ||
| 12-13 | 18 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 443 | 4 | HNRS 458 | 4 |
| BBST 465 | 3 | HNRS 467 | 2 |
| HIST 403 | 3 | LEDU 380 | 3 |
| Concentration1 | 3 | Concentration1 | 3 |
| Concentration1 | 3 | MUSC 310 | 2 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits 125-126 | |||
- 1
Concentration: Liberal Studies, Multidisciplinary majors must complete 12-13 credits of advanced study in one specific concentration. See list in catalog.
