Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Roadmap
120 Total Units Required
Minimum Number of Units in the Major: 42
This roadmap is a suggested plan of study and does not replace meeting with an advisor. Please note that students may need to adjust the actual sequence of courses based on course availability. Please consult your Degree Planner and an advisor for further guidance.
To avoid taking additional units, it is recommended that you meet the SF State Studies (AERM, GP, ESCA, SJ) requirements within your GE or major.
| First Semester | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| GE Area 1A: English Composition 1 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| GE Area 1: English Communication | 3 | |
| GE Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning 4 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3: Arts and Humanities | 3 | |
| GE Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences 5 | 3-4 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| GE Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences 5 | 3-4 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Three 3 | 9 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Select One (Hidden Prerequisite): | 3 | |
| Human Biology (GE 5B, Hidden Prerequisite for BIOL 326) | ||
College-Level Biology Course (Hidden Prerequisite for many Life and Physical Sciences Courses) |
||
| GE Area 6: Ethnic Studies | 3 | |
| U.S. and California Government | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 3 | 6 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| LS 300GW | Perspectives on Liberal Studies - GWAR (Major Core) | 3 |
| Literature and Culture (3 units) 6 | 3 | |
| Communication Studies (3-4 units) 7 | 3-4 | |
| Electives (12 units) - Take Two 8 | 6 | |
| Units | 15-16 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| Life Science (3 units) 9 | 3 | |
| Integrated Social Sciences (6 units) - Select Two 10 | 6 | |
| Interdisciplinary Humanities - Select One: | 3 | |
| Thought and Image: Humanities | ||
| Critical Animal Studies | ||
| Social Justice Themes in the Interdisciplinary Humanities (GE 3UD, AERM) | ||
| GE Area 5UD or 2UD: Upper-Division Sciences or Upper-Division Mathematical Concepts | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Seventh Semester | ||
| Visual Studies - Select One: | 3 | |
| Comics and Culture (GE 3B) | ||
| Thought and Image: Creative Arts | ||
| Social Movements & the Arts for Future Teachers (SJ) | ||
| Electives (12 units) - Take One 8 | 3 | |
| Physical Sciences (3 units) 11 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3UD: Upper-Division Arts or Humanities | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Eighth Semester | ||
| LS 690 | Liberal Studies Senior Seminar (Major Capstone) | 3 |
| Electives (12 units) - Take One 8 | 3 | |
| GE Area 4UD: Upper-Division Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Complementary Studies or SF State Studies or University Elective - Take Two 3 | 6 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 120-123 | |
- 1
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 1A course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 2
First-time freshmen must take one lower-division Area 4 course that meets US History (USH).
- 3
Complementary Studies
Required of all candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies are 12 units of Complementary Studies, which must come from courses bearing a prefix other than LS, and not cross-listed with LS. Complementary Studies for the Liberal Studies major can be satisfied via four possible routes:- 12 units of a language
- 12 units towards completion of a minor or 2nd major or certificate. Suggested minors include: Education, Special Education, any minor in Ethnic Studies, American Studies, California Studies, Comics Studies, Counseling, Holistic Health, Health Education, Earth Sciences, Communication Studies, any minor in Modern Languages (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Russian), Humanities, Math, History, Global Peace Studies, Criminal Justice Studies, Women and Gender Studies
- Any 12 units outside of LS prefix and not cross-listed with LS
- Study Abroad
Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major advisor about how transfer units and/or SF State units can best be applied to this requirement to ensure degree completion within 60 units.
- 4
Students should use their Pathway/Category to determine the appropriate GE 2 course option. For directions on how to view your Pathway/Category, visit how to find your pathway. Questions? Contact Gator Smart Start.
- 5
Consider taking a class combined with a laboratory or a separate lab to fulfill 5C if not already satisfied.
- 6
Literature and Culture (3 units)
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.- 7
Communication Studies (3-4 units)
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.- 8
Electives (12 units)
Choose one of the following options, in consultation with an advisor:A. Complete at least 12 units that are part of a minor, certificate, or another major on campus. Suggested minors include Education, Special Education, any minor in Ethnic Studies, American Studies, California Studies, Comics Studies, Counseling, Holistic Health, Health Education, Earth Sciences, Communication Studies, Modern Languages (Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Persian, Russian), Humanities, Math, History, Global Peace Studies, Criminal Justice Studies, and Women and Gender Studies. For double majoring, please consult a Liberal Studies adviser.
B. Complete 12 units of additional courses (not already counted for the core) outlined in the Teacher Preparation Emphasis. See program website or adviser for a list of courses to choose from.
C. In consultation with a Liberal Studies faculty advisor, design and complete a 12-unit elective pattern.
- 9
Life Sciences (3 units)
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.- 10
Integrated Social Sciences (6 units)
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.- 11
Physical Sciences (3 units)
A full list of courses that can fulfill this requirement can be found in the Degree Requirements.