A Polytechnic Model of the Liberal Arts
The College of Liberal Arts brings Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing approach to the study of people, culture, creativity and society, connecting the liberal arts to real-world practice across every discipline.
Our Vision
The College of Liberal Arts plays a central role in shaping Cal Poly’s identity as a comprehensive polytechnic university. Through our distinctive polytechnic model of the liberal arts, we integrate creative thinking, human understanding and innovation.
Our graduates leave prepared to engage thoughtfully and responsibly with the complexities of a changing world.
Our Values
The College of Liberal Arts upholds open and critical disciplinary and interdisciplinary inquiry, effective communication, creative thinking, aesthetic endeavor and their application to contemporary issues. We advocate cultural and intellectual diversity, sustainability, professional ethics, self-awareness and responsible citizenship. We espouse the integration of humane and aesthetic values with technological proficiency in support of the university’s mission. We support an equitable educational experience for all Cal Poly students.
As an essential part of our comprehensive polytechnic university, we advance a distinctive model of Learn by Doing through research, theory and practice across the arts, humanities, communications and social sciences.
Our Mission
We promote excellence through teaching, scholarship and service in the arts, humanities, communications and social sciences. The CLA encourages intellectual discovery and individual growth by promoting inclusive excellence, social responsibility and life-long Learn by Doing in local and the global communities.
Through a distinctive polytechnic model of the liberal arts, our College develops students’ capacity for critical inquiry and discourse, fosters intellectual curiosity and creative thought and integrates technology into a broader human context.
At a Glance
A quick snapshot of the College’s academic breadth, student population and post-graduation outcomes.
19
Bachelor’s and Four Graduate Programs
3,610
Total Enrolled CLA Students (25-26 )
85%
Positive Career Outcomes (within 9 months of graduation)
Leadership and Governance
Our people make us extraordinary. Meet the leaders who guide our mission and support our community every day.
Student and Staff Awards
Student Awards
Faculty and Staff Awards
Our History
Cal Poly’s College of Liberal Arts took its current form in 1992, when the university reorganized its academic units into colleges. Over the years, we have carried Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy into the liberal arts through project-based learning, internships, service-learning and interdisciplinary work, helping students connect human insight, communication and creativity with real-world application.
As a journalism major, I’ve grown so much through hands-on experience, producing journalistic pieces and leading public relations campaigns with Mustang News and in my day-to-day classes. Cal Poly CLA has allowed me to learn things I’m actually going to use in my career in practical ways. The professors across departments are always there to support you and give advice because they genuinely want you to succeed. The Cal Poly Learn by Doing motto isn’t an exaggeration! It’s real, and it’s shaped my confidence and the creative direction I’m excited to keep building toward.
college of liberal arts Alumni
The College of Liberal Arts has a proud network of alumni. From day one on campus, you become a lifelong Mustang, and there are many ways you can stay engaged with Cal Poly after graduation.