When your love for learning inspires the next generation, the possibilities are endless.
Liberal Arts is both a generalist degree and ideal preparation for teacher credentialing. It provides a solid foundation in the humanities as well as practical skills.
Experienced faculty, with a genuine love for their subject matter, create a stimulating interdisciplinary learning environment. You’ll explore an array of topics – from California’s history to young adult literature to fundamentals of art – giving you a broad foundation of knowledge.
The new California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC )-approved program incorporates courses that will allow you to waive the CSET multiple subject exam. A new science concentration expands your teaching career opportunities to the middle and high school grades with STEM pathways.
Through the study of the liberal arts, you’ll discover a love of learning.
Program Highlights
Choose between face-to-face or fully online program options
Meet for class one night per week
Progress through the entire program with a cohort of 12-22 adult students
Engage diverse classmates from a variety of life stages and cultural backgrounds
Study under experienced faculty and who assign relevant coursework
Waive the multiple subject CSET exam with newly incorporated courses
Concentrations
Students must choose an area of concentration. Concentrations permit the candidate to specialize in areas of interest and depth.
Integrated Teacher Education Program Pathway
In addition to the traditional pathway to teaching (4 year B.A.+ 1 year credential), FPU is now offering Liberal Arts transfer students the opportunity to earn their Bachelor of Arts degree and multiple subjects teaching credential in two years (1 year B.A. + 1 year credential)! This takes at least one year off the current traditional path. Transfer students who have earned an Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) in a similar pathway or have the required pre-requisite classes are eligible for this pathway. Learn more at fpu.edu/ITEP.
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is an accelerated degree completion major designed for students interested in a broad, multi-disciplinary education. This major includes coursework in the areas required by the state of California to meet subject matter competency for individuals pursuing a multiple subject teaching credential. Accordingly, the program is recommended for those interested in teaching at the elementary school level, as well as those desiring a liberal arts education relevant to many other careers in education, government, non-profits and health care service among others. Core courses are blended and meet one evening per week for four hours in a cohort setting with additional on-line assignments. Courses are typically six weeks in length.
Admissions Requirements
Admissions requirements include a minimum 2.4 GPA, two years postsecondary experience and 60 transferable units of credit.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Students will relate to others through a variety of communication and information literacy skills to convey information; dialogue and engage over thoughts, ideas, and discovery; influence others through the oral and written word; and inspire life-long learning and inquiry in self and others.
Students will explain and summarize applicable, foundational content knowledge and scholarship in the disciplines of the natural, social, and applied sciences, the humanities, and education.
Students will assess moral and ethical values in personal behavior; express an understanding of the values and beliefs of diverse individuals and groups; and choose a personal worldview that reflects the inter-connectedness of life, learning, and Christian faith.
Students will value critical thinking skills to solve problems, change environments, promote social justice, and choose self-management; describe the servant leadership perspective and self-directedness of professionals who contribute to their community; appraise a personal transformation; and conduct professional relationships in a civil and collegial manner.
Credit Bearing Grades
Students must earn a C- or higher to receive credit for their liberal arts courses. Exceptions: Students may receive credit for BIB 314 and BIB 438 with a D -. Additional exceptions: General education and elective courses can also receive credit with a grade of D-.
Possibilities Await
With an FPU Education
You already have a lot going on in your life, which is why our degree completion programs are designed to meet you where you are. You'll be surrounded by other students who will support and encourage you, by faculty mentors who are invested in your success, by opportunities to connect what you learn in the classroom to the real world, and by connections to the employers who will help you move forward in your career.
First Steps to Admission
Submit an application for admission (online) * Admission applications are free, no discount codes required.
Request official transcripts from previously attended colleges, universities and high schools and send electronically to trans.evaluator@fresno.edu
GED Transcripts OR any AA, AS, AS-T, AA-T from an accredited College or University as proof of High School graduation
This includes any military transcripts you may have, along with your military release forms (DD214).​â¶Ä‹
Complete the FAFSA as early as October 1. (FAFSA Code: 001253) Enroll in the minimum number of units per semester to qualify for loans.
Schedule an appointment with your Student Financial Services Advisor 559-453-2041 sfs@fresno.edu
*These co-requisite courses are required for graduation and it is strongly recommended that students complete these courses prior to beginning the cohort.
Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) Information
Elementary Teacher Education (AA-T) to Liberal Arts B.A.
BA courses fulfilled through ADT:
All lower-division General Education requirements fulfilled
BA co-requisites and major courses fulfilled through ADT:
MATH 136 Mathematics Concepts I (3)
This program is offered as evening accelerated
ADT Guarantee is the completion of BA/BS degree in 68 units.
Transfer Agreements
The following guidelines are used when considering transfer credit:
Courses completed at a regionally or ABHE, ATS, TRACS, or AARTS accredited institution
Baccalaureate-level courses
Grade of C- or better
Courses are not duplicate to credit already received
All GE and major courses must be taken for a letter grade, not pass/fail
No lab is required for Area 5 Physical & Biological Sciences
Some majors have lower division prerequisites. Select an institution below to see the school's general education and lower division major requirements
*Transfer Agreements are only a tool. Transfer work is not considered official until it has been evaluated by the FPU Registrar’s Office.
Non-traditional Admission
Steps for Re-admission
To reenter into the Degree Completion program within 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to complete the Degree Completion Re-admission Form. An academic advisor will determine if the student may reenter and if any conditions apply for readmission. The student will be charged at the current tuition rate for any course repeated.
*Note: If student is readmitting after 5 years of last enrollment, the student will need to refer to “First Steps to Admission".
Steps for Non-matriculated Admission
The non-matriculated application is for people who are interested in taking baccalaureate classes through the Degree Completion program, but are not seeking to be admitted into that program. Students must complete this Non-matriculated Application Form only once in order to be qualified to take courses. Applicants must also meet the two-year post-secondary experience requirement to take these courses. Financial Aid is not available, and the course limit is six units per semester with a limit of two semesters total.
For more information, or for help filling out this application, please contact Graduate and Degree Completion Admissions at (559) 453-3690.
State Authorization
State authorization is a federal requirement in the Higher Education Act that requires institutions to be authorized in the state in which online programs are offered. 51ÁÔÆæ works regularly with individual state authorization agencies to meet each state's requirements. Currently, 51ÁÔÆæ has received authorization to offer online degree programs in all but nine states: Georgia, Michigan, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and Wisconsin.
For the latest updates on the status of FPU's authorization in your state, contact your FPU Admissions representative.
Cost & Financial Aid
The below listed prices reflect the current and upcoming Fall and Spring semesters and do not include any financial aid. Paying for college can be an overwhelming step in your education journey. We can help you find all the possible opportunities to reduce your out of pocket costs.
Business Administration: Business Management, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Emergency Management, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Health Care Administration, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Health Care Administration, Informatics and Technology, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Organizational Leadership, B.A.
$550
Business Administration: Project Management, B.A.
$550
Christian Ministry and Leadership, B.A.
$525
Computer Information Systems, B.A.
$525
Criminology, B.A.
$525
Early Childhood Development, B.A.
$550
Liberal Arts, B.A.
$550
Psychology, B.A.
$550
RN to BSN, BSN
$525
Social Welfare, B.A.
$550
Social Work, B.A.
$550
General Education Courses
$550
Elective Courses
$550
Other Costs
Amount
Student services fee (per semester)
$100
* This is an estimate. Costs subject to change. Cost of attendance figures are used for budgeting purposes only and represent an estimate of projected tuition and fees for the coming academic year. Actual tuition rates are approved by the Board of Trustees and may vary.
Types of aid
Financial aid can refer to scholarships, grants and loans, which are available to you from the government, the university or outside sources. Aid types vary depending on the type of student you are.
The grants, the academic awards, the transfer scholarship – all of it makes it so much more affordable to attend FPU. I know that school isn’t cheap for anyone, but FPU helped me realize that I could actually come to this school because they were going to help me so much financially.
Career Opportunities
This program will equip you to pursue a credential or graduate studies in education, as well as a variety of careers in business, government agencies, and nonprofit or faith-based organizations.
The staff in our Career Development and Experiential Learning Center are here to help you prepare to enter the working world. Whether your a freshman or an FPU alum, there are a number of resources and trainings offered to help you find the internship and job you’re looking for.