Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

Liberal studies majors preparing for careers in elementary teaching should expect to find a favorable job market. Recent statistical reports for the Central Valley show that the area population and the number of school-aged children continue to grow. This pattern of growth, along with anticipated attrition from the teaching profession will require additional well-prepared, credentialed elementary teachers.

As Liberal Studies candidates prepare for entrance into the teaching profession or other careers, they are provided expert assistance from the campus Career Development Center. Assistance in preparing placement files, preparing for job interviews, and searching for suitable employment is readily available for each candidate.

The Liberal Studies Program includes coursework that provides subject matter proficiency for students who plan on pursuing a Multiple Subject (elementary grades) or Education Specialist teaching credential. This program includes specific General Education courses and additional courses in the major that are aligned with the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing content specifications in these seven core areas:

• Reading, Language, and Literature
• History and Social Sciences
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Physical Education
• Human Development

Centrally located in California

Fresno State is in the heart of California, otherwise known as the Central Valley. The Fresno State campus is about 1,400 acres, with over 4,000 trees and lots of green open spaces, providing a park-like environment to study. We have a working farm, creamery, store, the largest library between Los Angeles and Sacramento, Starbucks, a movie theater, an event center, a bowling alley, a planetarium, and much more. Fresno State is even home to the Save Mart Center, the largest university indoor arena on the West Coast of the U.S.

As the 5th largest city in California, Fresno provides students with easy access to a vast number of sports teams, organizations, facilities, venues, and internship opportunities. Fresno State is conveniently located within a three-hour drive to both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Fresno County is home to some of the world’s most sought-after recreation and entertainment destinations. Three National Parks, Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon, are right in our backyard. Breathtaking scenery, spectacular canyons, cascading rivers and waterfalls, the world’s largest trees, and endless trails can be found a short drive away.

Our mission is to provide high-quality services to international students and serve as an international education resource to the university community at California State University, Fresno.

We are committed to:

• Providing a warm and informative welcome to international students and recognizing their importance and their contributions to the campus and the Fresno community.
• Providing appropriate services and assistance to international students so they do not face challenges alone.
• Working with international students to assist with their adjustment and understanding of their new environment in a comfortable setting where they have opportunities and encouragement to pursue their dreams, be involved in the University community, and have their efforts recognized.
• Encouraging international students to ask questions and offer suggestions while we do our utmost to address their concerns with respect, reassurance, and understanding.
• Serving as a resource to faculty and staff to facilitate international exchange, enhance cross-cultural communication and support international endeavors.
• Providing information to prospective students and parents about the university and the quality of available educational experiences enhances and promotes the continued flow of students from nations around the world.
• Offering our friendship today and tomorrow as we work together to dream and build a better world.

Affordable

Fresno State is a nationally ranked university, with a mission to provide quality education at a highly affordable price.

The California State University system makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. We strive to keep tuition and fees competitively priced, as we understand affordability is an important factor when students are considering studying abroad.

California has a lot to offer, including great weather, activities, and iconic cities, but living in California can get expensive. Luckily, Fresno offers an affordable cost of living in the heart of California with easy access to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley. In Fresno, you can afford to live and study, while still visiting or interning in places like San Francisco without incurring additional costs.

Don’t just take our word for it, many international students comment on affordability as part of the reason they chose Fresno State.

Employment Opportunities

Fresno State alumni become professionals working at prestigious companies such as Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Google, Intel, and Microsoft. Conveniently located in the heart of California, Fresno offers easy access to employment opportunities in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley.

Although your main purpose for coming to the U.S. is to study at Fresno State, there are many employment and professional experience opportunities available to you, both while you are a student and after you graduate.

• On-Campus Employment . On-campus employment must be performed on the school’s premises (including on-location commercial firms which provide services for students on campus, such as the school bookstore or cafeteria). Students are eligible to apply for on-campus jobs during their first semester of study at Fresno State, pending approval from the International Office.
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is an employment option available to F-1 students before program completion where employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic program, such as an internship.
• Severe Economic Hardship . A Fresno State student must be in F-1 status for one full academic year before he or she is eligible to apply for a severe economic hardship authorization. If on-campus employment opportunities are not available or are otherwise insufficient, an eligible F-1 student may request off-campus employment work authorization based upon severe economic hardship.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) is an opportunity for students to work 12 months in their field, after program completion at Fresno State.
• STEM Optional Practical Training : F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees included on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, are employed by employers enrolled in E-Verify, and who have received an initial grant of post-completion OPT related to such a degree, may apply for a 24-month extension which extends OPT for another 24 months making a total of 3 years of OPT period.