College of Education: Guidance for Newly Admitted Undergraduates

Congratulations, Future Educator! Welcome to the Liberal Studies Major, within the College of Education at CSULB. You are entering one of the most diverse and beautiful campuses, and we are excited to help you make CSULB your new home! This website and information below is for newly-admitted Spring 2025 Liberal Studies Students at CSULB. 

Newly admitted students are required to complete three steps to ensure successful Enrollment into CSULB. Please follow the steps outlined below. 

  • Step 1: Accept CSULB admissions by November15, 2024 & Register for SOAR
  • Step 2: Register for Spring 2025 Courses with the help of Liberal Studies Advisors 
  • Step 3: Attend Orientation with SOAR office

Be sure to check your CSULB Email and personal email accounts on a regular basis for directions and announcements throughout the Summer.

Please scroll down to find information specifically for Spring 2025 new students.

​

First-Time/First-Year Students (Freshmen)

Information for incoming first-time/first-year students for the Liberal Studies Program.

 

In addition to submitting your documents to verify the admission decision,newly admitted first-time/first-year students (freshmen) are required to accept the admission offer to CSULB and pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit by May 15, 2024. Visit your MyCSULB Student Portal to get started.

For details regarding the Enrollment Deposit and/or Accepting Admissions, refer to the University's Freshman Application Process Website.

  • Questions about Admissions? You can "Join the Queue" with Beach Central or by calling 562-985-5471.
  • Questions about Financial Aid or Tuition? You can "Join the Queue" with Beach Central or by calling 562-985-5471.
  • Questions about Housing? University Housing Contact Information and Instructions are listed on the University Housing Website.

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration) is a comprehensive orientation program designed to support newly admitted undergraduate students as you transition – both academically and socially – to California State University, Long Beach. 

SOAR for FTYF Students is a one-day event that will consist of Orientation in the Morning, and Registration in the afternoon. 

Access to make a SOAR Reservation begins Wednesday, April 3. The deadline to make a SOAR reservation is Saturday, June 1 (or the deadline determined by Admissions).

 

Advising & Registration is where you will meet your academic advisors, learn more about the Liberal Studies major, including the various credentialing options, and register for Fall 2024 courses.

  • You will be prompted to complete a new student survey. This is necessary to place you in the correct courses. Please make sure to review your email often so that you do not miss this step.
  • On the day of your Orientation, advisors will guide you through class registration. Besides the survey, there is no need to prepare anything ahead of time. 
  • Math & Chemistry Placement: Because the Liberal Studies Major doe NOT follow the General Education Pattern, you do NOT need to take any placement exams. We only ask that you let us know in your survey of any passed AP exams, IB exams, or completed community college/Dual Enrollment credit.

 

 

 

 

Transfer Students 

Information for incoming Spring 2025 Transfer students for the Liberal Studies Program.

All new College of Education Transfer Students are admitted under the "Liberal Studies BA" pathway. 

As you may know, we offer a graduation option called the Integrated Teacher Education Pathway, or ITEP. All new students will have an opportunity to apply for an ITEP pathway during their first year at CSULB. Note: You cannot apply for ITEP prior the start of the fall semester. Academic Advisors will be available to ensure you understand what the program entails before you can make the decision to apply for an ITEP pathway. 

For now, you may explore our four ITEP pathways below:

 

In addition to submitting your documents to verify the admission decision,newly admitted transfer students are required to accept the admission offer to CSULB and pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit by November 15, 2024. Visit your MyCSULB Student Portal to get started.

For details regarding the Enrollment Deposit and/or Accepting Admissions, refer to the University's Transfer Application Process Website.

  • Questions about Admissions? You can "Join the Queue" with Beach Central or by calling 562-985-5471.
  • Questions about Financial Aid or Tuition? You can "Join the Queue" with Beach Central or by calling 562-985-5471.
  • Questions about Housing? University Housing Contact Information and Instructions are listed on the University Housing Website.

Make your SOAR Experience reservation –the deadline to make a reservation is December 1, 2024 or by the deadline determined by Admissions.

The reservation consists of two separate dates – one for your Registration date and the other for your Orientation date.  When making your reservation, you'll see these dates are automatically linked.

You will have an opportunity to register for Spring 2025 Courses with the help of Liberal Studies Advisors. 

Advisors will evaluate your transfer credit and let you know how your courses fit into our major requirements a few days before your scheduled registration. 

Liberal Studies Registration for Spring 2025 is: 

  • Wednesday, December 18 @ 1PM
    • Modality: Both Online and in-person
    • Select your modality when you make your SOAR reservation

Please note: Advisors are unable to meet one-on-one with new students prior to December 18. Your patience is appreciated.

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration)

Is a comprehensive orientation program designed to support newly admitted undergraduate students as you transition – both academically and socially – to California State University, Long Beach.

You will attend your SOAR session on Monday, January 13.

Advisor Contact Information & Next Steps

Information on how to reach a Liberal Studies Academic Advisor and Next Steps after Orientation & Advising/Registration.

 

If students have questions about their recommended courses, transfer credit or evaluation, and/or general requirements, students may contact the Liberal Studies Advising Team in the College of Education. We will not be conducting any graduation planning or extensive advising this Summer with our newest students, as that is saved for the first-semester (all transfers attend mandatory advising in the first term). Save your in-depth questions for first semester advising during Fall 2024.

Email Assistance

Students can email the Liberal Studies Academic Advisors directly at CED-LibSt@csulb.edu.  All Liberal Studies Academic Advisors have access to this account; students are not assigned to a specific advisor and anyone can reach out as needed. Please allow for 1-3 business days for response.

Assistance Before/After your Assigned Advising & Registration Date

Brief, drop-in assistance with Liberal Studies Advisors is available Monday-Friday via in-person or phone. 

Drop-in hours are published weekly (on Mondays) on the Liberal Studies Homepage.

Assistance on your Assigned Advising & Registration Date

On-Campus Advising & Registration Assistance 

For those on-campus for their advising/registration date, the required information session will be held from 1:00pm-1:30pm and then move to a computer lab for registration and finalizing your schedule.  After the information session your advising hold will be removed.  We’ll provide you with more hands-on registration support.  Liberal Studies Advisors and Student Mentors will be available to assist you and ensure you register successfully for first-semester classes prior to leaving for the day.  Possible campus tours (TBD).  

Online Advising & Registration Assistance 

For those who select the online modality for advising/registration, you will attend the required information session via Zoom from 1:00pm-1:30pm.  Immediately afterwards the advising hold will be removed, and you’ll be able to register.  If necessary, you may receive registration assistance from a Liberal Studies advisor or Student Mentor via Zoom from 1:30pm-3:00pm in the same Zoom meeting.  Liberal Studies Advisors and Student Mentors will be available to assist you and ensure you register successfully for first-semester classes prior to the end of the day.

Congrats on completing your on-campus orientation and enrolling into your first-semester classes at CSULB! The first day of Fall 2024 classes is Monday, August 26, 2024.

All first-semester students (both First-Time/First-Year and Transfer students) in the Liberal Studies program are going to be invited to attend 'Mandatory Advising' in Fall 2024. You will receive an invitation by email at the beginning of the Fall semester and will select a date/time (of your choosing) to receive advising. We understand that students have many questions about the program, aside from first-semester scheduling. We plan to cover a great amount of material during first-semester advising, to set a foundation for being in our program.  Once a newly admitted student attends their required advising in their first semester, they are welcome to schedule further one-on-one appointments and/or meet with advisors as needed up until graduation. Until then, we recommend to enjoy the remainder of your time before school starts, keep an eye on email communications and upcoming opportunities, and we'll be communicating with you again soon. 

Have questions? Feel free to reach out to the Liberal Studies Advising Team, anytime.

 

If you are considering a change of major at CSULB, refer to the directions below to get started on this request.

Change of Major Into Liberal Studies / the College of Education

If you are considering changing your major to Liberal Studies within the College of Education:

  • First-Year/First-Time Students: Change of Major Requests must be first reviewed by the CSULB Admissions office. Please complete the "change of major" request below to see if you are eligible to switch. If eligible, you will be switched to Liberal Studies. 
  • Transfer Students: With CSULB's Timely Graduation Policy and the criteria that you were admitted with for the University, a change of major request is not an option. If you'd like to discuss your options for teaching, please feel free to email us at ced-libst@csulb.edu 

If you are interested in declaring into the Liberal Studies undergraduate major, submit a request below. 

Change of Major Request

 

Change of Major Out Of Liberal Studies / the College of Education

If you are considering changing your major out of the College of Education, refer to your desired College/Major on the Advising & Registration Website. Each college/program has specific directions on their respective websites on how to request a major change with their College. 

Are you unsure of what to do and want to speak with someone first? Talk to us. (refer above to "Advisor Contact Information & Next Steps").