The mission of the Liberal Studies Department is to provide two quality options for it's students: an elementary subject-matter preparation program (Credential Option) that fulfills the standards of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing; and a non-credential track (General Option) liberal arts experience.

The goals of the Liberal Studies Department are to provide its students with a broad and interdisciplinary liberal arts education that requires students to engage in the study of the following core areas: language arts, history and social science, math, science, visual and performing arts, physical education and health, and human development. In addition, they will also develop the academic competencies to better understand our diverse world. Students are also required to engage in field experience in the classroom (Credential Option) or service learning (General Option).

Graduates will have developed the ability to communicate effectively, to think critically, to conduct sound research, to understand global issues, to use knowledge in all aspects of life, to participate meaningfully as citizens, and to discover and apply worthwhile values.