Liberal Studies
Students pursuing a Liberal Studies degree can choose to participate in the undergraduate education program, which combines a Liberal Studies major with an Education minor. Students who choose to take this path will take coursework that applies to their bachelor’s degree and their teaching credential simultaneously. Students who complete all 18 credits of credentialing coursework as part of their bachelor's degree have only one semester of student teaching following graduation in order to complete the credential (note: some state tests are required).Teachers impact the lives of children in an unending way.
Liberal Studies Department Mission
To provide students who wish to become teachers with the necessary education to accomplish their goal.
Liberal Studies
The Liberal Studies major serves two purposes. It is a per-credential major designed for students who desire a teaching career in Elementary Education. Focuses in the Liberal Studies program include the arts, sciences, religion, anthropology, language and grammar, mathematics, literature and social sciences.
*Also available for working adults and individuals wishing to complete their degree in Simpson University's convenient 16-month, Continuing Studies (ASPIRE) program. Liberal Studies - Continuing Studies, ASPIRE program.
Education Minor
Students seeking a California Preliminary Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential should choose to major in Liberal Studies. The addition of the Education Minor may shorten the credentialing process. Students will receive advisement counseling regarding the use of the Education Minor courses.
Application for admission to the Education minor should be made through the School of Education during the fall of the sophomore year. Completion of the preliminary credential includes a post-Baccalaureate semester of student teaching. Multiple subjects candidates may, with the Dean’s approval, choose to do half of their student teaching in their home community, nationally or internationally.
Simpson University’s Preliminary Teaching Credentials for Multiple Subjects and Single Subject are fully accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Click here to link to the School of Education.
These are the classes you will take for an Education Minor:
- EDUC 2000 Intro to Education (3 Sp)
- *+EDUC 4000 Integrating Technology (2)
- *+EDUC 4020 Psychological Applications in Education (3)
- *+EDUC 4400 Language Arts (4)
- *+EDUC 4420 Curriculum and Instruction (5)
- *+EDUC 4460 Multicultural Instruction (3)
- *EDUC 4500 Technology in the Classroom (1)
- *EDUC 4610 Teaching Performance Assessment 1 (0)
These courses are taken post-Baccalaureate to complete Preliminary Teaching Credential (14 credits)
- *ED 5440/5441 Student Teaching (10)
- *ED 5601 Student Teaching Performance Development - A (5)
- *ED 5602 Student Teaching Performance Development - B (5)
- *ED 5620 Teaching Performance Assessment 2 (0)
- *ED 5630 Teaching Performance Assessment 3 (0)
- *ED 5640 Teaching Performance Assessment 4 (0)
- *++ED 5660 Induction Preparation (1)
- *++ED 6000 Philosophical Foundations in Education (2)
*Course has prerequisites; check course descriptions.
+Must be completed before student teaching.
++Must be completed after student teaching.
TOTAL 21
Paul R. Jones JR, Ed.D.
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Assistant Professor, School of Education |
Profile:
Dr. Jones is currently serving in the School of Education at Simpson University. He teaches several courses in the teacher credentialing, administrative credentialing and the master's degree programs. His professorship has mostly served students in northern California.
Before coming to Simpson University, Dr. Jones was an educator in the California public school system for 30 years in Shasta County in two school districts: the Anderson Union High School District and the Shasta Union High School District. He held many positions including teacher, mentor teacher, science department chair, basketball and tennis coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal, curriculum coordinator, director of special projects, director of special education and director of alternative education.
Dr. Jones is a member of several professional organizations: California Association of Professors of Educational Administration (CAPEA), Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), National Association Secondary School Principals (NASSP), Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), and a member of Phi Delta Kappa until the chapter disbanded.
Educational Background:
- Ed.D., University of Southern California
- M.A., Chico State University
- B.A., Sonoma State University
Courses Taught:
- Curriculum and Instruction – Secondary (Teacher Credentialing Program)
- Tests and Measurements (PASC/MA program)
- Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction and Supervision (PASC/MA)
- Leadership, Law, Personnel & Fiscal Management (PASC/MA)
Links:
Neita Novo, Ed.D.
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Associate Professor of Educationnnovo@simpsonu.edu |
Profile:
Before coming to Simpson University, Dr. Novo taught in California elementary schools for more than 25 years. She has had experiences working with new and veteran teachers in the Success for All reading program through Johns Hopkins University. She has also supervised and mentored interns in the CalState TEACH program in the San Francisco Bay area for three years. Since coming to Simpson University she has taught in the master's program, mentored National Board Certified teachers, offered professional development courses for local teachers, supervised student teachers, offered cognitive coaching classes for master teachers, and taught multiple subject credentialing courses. Her approach to teaching is hands-on, practical application, with a hint of humor.
Educational Background:
- Ed.D., St. Mary's College of California
- M.A., Simpson University
- B.A., Chico State University
Courses Taught:
- Language Arts
- Curriculum
- Teacher Performance Assessments Director
Links:
Ronald K. McGraw, Ed.D.
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Assistant Professor of Educationrmcgraw@simpsonu.edu |
Profile:
Dr. McGraw began his professional career as an elementary school teacher. Following his teaching experience, he has served in public school positions of assistant principal in both elementary and junior high schools and elementary school principal. He has also served as superintendent in three Christian schools, one in Indiana, one in Arizona and one in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In each of his administrative positions, he has focused on teacher training and curricula development. The service to Christian schools had a focus of institutional advancement in the areas of financial support, giving and constituent involvement. In addition to these traditional school experiences, Dr. McGraw provided educational support and consulting services to Christian schools and home-schooling families in the former Soviet Union.
Educational Background:
- Ed.D., Ball State University
- M.A., Ball State University
- B.A., Butler University
Courses Taught:
- Introduction to Education
- Interdisciplinary Seminar
- Applications in Educational Psychology
- Research and Writing
- Leadership in Organizational Management
- Foundation and Trends in Education
- Project Document
Links:
- To raise awareness of and increase respect for: self, others, the environment, and God.
- To develop the following core-competencies of Outdoor Leadership: foundational knowledge; professional conduct; decision-making and judgment; teaching and facilitation; environmental stewardship; program management; risk management; and technical skills.
- To grow in Christian character.
