San Diego State University
LIBERAL STUDIES
THE INTEGRATED PROGRAM
What is the Integrated Program?
The Integrated Program is a fast-track program that allows students to complete both the Liberal Studies major
and the credential program as one 135-unit package. Normally, students complete the full 120 unit Liberal Studies major plus an
additional 36-38 unit credential program. For the Integrated Program, students complete 99 units of Liberal Studies coursework,
5 units of credential program prerequistes,
and 31 units of credential coursework for a total of 135. They complete the program in 4.5 years rather than 5 years.
Comparison of Requirements: Integrated to Traditional
The programs compare in the following way:
- Both programs include the 96 unit Liberal Studies core.
- The Integrated Program requires three additional units of a history of literature, history, math, etc. type of course; the traditional
program requires 9-15 additional units of courses in one subject area (the traditional specialization).
- Both programs include 5 units of prerequisite courses: ED 451 and SPED 450.
- The credential part of the Integrated Program includes the usual methods courses, but only one semester of student teaching.
The traditional credential program requires two semesters of student teaching in two different grade levels.
- The Integrated Program is an honors program with specific criteria for admission and a definite timeline (see below);
the traditional program is open to all Liberal Studies students and may be completed at a more gradual pace if necessary.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The main advantage of the Integrated Program is that students can earn their credential more quickly.
- Students save one semester of work and, thus, can begin teaching sooner and don't have to pay one semester of fees.
- Those who need to move to another state or follow a spouse to another city find being able to earn a credential more
quickly is advantageous.
- Students who have had a lot of experience as aides or in some other setting prefer to complete only one semester of student teaching.
Students should not choose the Integrated Program if they wish earn a bilingual credential, earn a special
education credential, intend to complete their credential somewhere else in California, or want to add a Subject Matter Authorization
so that they can teach middle school.
Students should also be aware that their pay scale may be affected when they first are employed. Many districts
offer higher starting pay to individuals who have 30 or more post-baccalaureate units. (The specific requirements vary by district.)
Students completing the Integrated Program should consider improving their financial position by taking additional courses and approved workshops
and/or a masters degree after they are employed.
Admissions Timing and Criteria
All students in the Liberal Studies major complete the same preparation for the major courses during their
freshman and sophomore years.
At the beginning of the junior year, they choose which program they wish to pursue: bilingual, special
education, middle school, Integrated, or traditional. In order to apply to the Integrated Program, they must have met with an adviser and satisfied the following requirements by the middle of the first junior semester:
- qualified for the upper division major; i.e.,
- completed all courses in preparation for the major,
- earned a C or better in the five courses listed in the catalog under Impaction Criteria,
- earned a passing score on the Liberal Studies Mathematics Proficiency Assessment,
- completed 60 transferable units, and
- earned a 3.0 overall GPA, and
- passed the Writing Proficiency Assessment with a 8 or above, and
- passed the CBEST examination.
During the next two semsters, they
- complete 15-16 units per semester including Liberal Studies 300 (or take couses during summer school),
- take and pass one of the CSET subtests, typically Subtest III,
- apply for the certificate of clearance, and
- during the break between semester, take and pass the remaining two CSET subtests.
During the first semester of their senior year, students
- complete their remaining Liberal Studies courses plus the two credential prerequisite courses, and
- officially apply to the credential program for the following semester.
During the second semester of their senior year, they complete 12-15 units of credential coursework, typically
educational psychology, reading methods, math methods, educational technology, and English language development/SDAIE. They
graduate from Liberal Studies at the end of this eighth semester.
During the final, post-baccalaureate semester, they complete approximately 18 units of credential coursework,
typically including the remaining methods courses, student teaching, and seminar.
The program is intense, but rewarding.
This page was last updated on April 15, 2008.