The Liberal Studies waiver pathway requires students to complete a Subject Matter Emphasis in a content area, which is commonly taught in elementary schools. The Subject Matter Emphasis must consist of a minimum of 12 upper division units of courses closely related to each other. The Liberal Studies non-waiver pathway requirements for the Subject Matter are somewhat more flexible, for they are not driven by CCTC Standards. The basic 12-unit upper division emphasis may derive from subject areas that are not commonly taught in the elementary school. Students are encouraged to select their Subject Matter Emphasis from those that have been approved by faculty in the respective discipline, or they are encouraged to consult with a faculty in a discipline in order to design a Subject Matter Emphasis of interest to the student.
Most students begin the emphasis courses in the second semester of their junior year.
Having a minor or a double major increases the Waiver students' eligibility for the Supplementary Authorization to teach in departmentalized middle schools or at ninth grade level in high schools. Of course, a minor can serve more than one professional goal or career path. Students are encouraged to consider additional career paths early in their academic planning.