Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies with Concentration in Cultural Studies

at California State University, Dominguez Hills - Carson Campus USA

The Master of Social Work (MSW) program at California State University, Dominguez Hills is intentionally designed to address the diverse social service needs, issues and problems particular to a large metropolitan area such as Los Angeles County. Building on the diversity of the various ethnic groups and cultures residing in the area, the program will prepare social work students for contextually competent social work practice, inclusive of the issues of culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, class, sexual orientation and gender. The effects of bias, prejudice and institutionalized racism are examined so that students understand how these issues can affect social work practice, policy development and program implementation. Students learn a variety of perspectives and ways of identifying strategies and interventions for addressing these concerns and other problems in social work practice with individuals, families and communities.

The Department of Social Work promotes a psychosocial, ecological and cross-cultural approach to social work practice with Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality serving as the theoretical framework for contextually competent practice. The curriculum is developed and organized as a coherent and integrated whole consistent with program goals and objectives. California State University, Dominguez Hills offers one concentration: Social Work Practice in Communities (SWPC) and three specializations that students can choose from: Children, Youth and Families, Community Mental Health and Community Capacity Building.

The department offers an established graduate program leading to the Master of Arts in Sociology. The program is designed to provide all students with a strong foundation in sociological theory and research methodology. The graduate program is designed to allow for a substantial degree of student choice. Students may choose a macro- or micro-based program of study and select from several areas for further specialization or experience. These areas include, but are not restricted to, such concentrations as social research and computer applications; sociology of education; community and clinical sociology; law and society; criminology and deviance; and general sociology. Students are expected to select a major advisor who can best facilitate their specific interests in the program. Finally, students may choose one of the following options to complete their program of graduate study: comprehensive exam, thematic project or thesis. Students with an interest in teaching and administrative applications of the degree are encouraged to complete via examination. Those with research interests or who may wish to pursue advanced graduate study toward a doctoral degree are encouraged to opt for the thesis or thematic project options.

The Department of Sociology has an established record of success in graduate education. Many of the department's graduates have found careers in research, teaching and a wide range of other fields. Special emphasis is placed on practical and policy-relevant research participation by graduate students in the Urban Community Research Center. Students are encouraged to take an active role in the department, the discipline and the wider community. Students may apprentice in one or more of the many advanced forms of social scientific research, including evaluation research, social impact analysis, ethnographic field research, etc. Students who wish to pursue advanced study beyond the M.A. degree may elect to take additional work necessary to acquire the Graduate Certificate in Social Research.

The Geography program is one of two programs housed in the Department of Earth Science and Geography. Geography studies the spatial distribution of features across Earth’s landscape, such as the location of landforms, water bodies, and the organization of climate zones. It also considers the human landscape including how populations are distributed, why they migrate, and the ways they alter natural and urban environments. As a tool to advance these spatial analyses, the Geography program teaches the use of both traditional and computer-based geotechnical skills (geotechniques) such as cartography, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS).

Geography at CSUDH emphasizes “hands-on” learning, and many department courses feature field trips. The expertise and international focus of the faculty provide opportunities for engaged students to learn about and participate in diverse research projects ranging from treeline studies in alpine environments, mapping river systems in California, or studying the effects of population growth, urbanization, and water scarcity.

The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations degree program is designed to help students develop an in-depth understanding of the role and impact of advertising and public relations in both for-pro?t and nonpro?t organizations. The program focuses on preparing students to become logical and innovative advertising and public relations professionals who also examine the ethical and cultural values in their practice. The course sequence is designed to emphasize professional skills, analytic abilities, and critical approaches in dealing with advertising and public relations issues. Speci?cally, the students will polish creative ideas and gain a variety of professional skills, including creating AD/PR messages; planning AD/PR media; organizing integrated communication plans; and developing sponsorships and promotional strategies.

The program also stresses both analytical approaches and critical thinking skills. Students will learn the theoretical foundations underlying persuasive messaging as well as analytical tools applied to advertising and public relations research. With this knowledge, students will improve their ability to identify and investigate current AD/PR-related issues by using an appropriate methodology and develop further strategic directions. In conjunction with the practical techniques, the program will also guide students to appreciate the cultural aspects and ethical issues in advertising and public relations practices. Students can tailor their messages on the basis of understanding of cultural differences and engage with ethical concerns. Upon completing the program, students will achieve a wealth of knowledge, practical skills, and the ability to think critically and strategically in developing promotional media messages and strategies.

The Bachelor of Arts in Advertising/Public Relations is housed in the Communications Department. All production-related courses utilize the department’s facilities and equipment.

The mission of the CSUDH MS in Occupational Therapy Program is to prepare entry-level clinical practitioners with knowledge, skills, and understanding necessary to practice in traditional as well as emerging occupational therapy roles with an excellent foundation for later specialization and lifelong learning.

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program has been planned with enthusiasm to help prepare students for a professional career focused on helping people achieve skills and utilize resources to live independent and meaningful lives. The program is structured towards producing client-centered therapists with enhanced critical thinking abilities. It aims to produce professionals, who can research, develop, implement, and evaluate procedures utilizing a high degree of independent judgment and to consult where appropriate with other members of the health care team.

Graduate studies in Occupational Therapy prepare students for a professional career focused on helping people achieve skills and utilize resources to live independent and meaningful lives.

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree is a full-time Cohort Program. Students within a specific cohort matriculate together and are expected to take the same courses every semester as well complete the requirements of the program at the same time. MSOT students are assigned to specific sections and are given their class schedule by the department. One cohort of 66-70 students is admitted per year, which starts every spring semester.

A total of 7 consecutive semesters (including summer):

• 5 semesters of didactic coursework
• 2 semesters of clinical rotations (Fieldwork II):
  • 3 months each with full-time internship under the supervision of an OTR
  • Students may be required to travel outside the state for completion of FW II
• A comprehensive exam is taken to obtain the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Students enrolled in the MSOT degree program must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above. Graduates of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree program will be eligible to sit for the NBCOT examination to become a practicing occupational therapist. Once a successful examination score has been achieved the graduate will be qualified to apply to practice in the state of residence.

The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program, is designed to accomplish two objectives. The first of these is to prepare students for lifelong professional careers in commerce, finance and industry, as well as for management careers in the public and not-for-profit sectors. A second objective is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to obtain professional, entry level positions in one functional area of the business enterprise, or in some particular field of business.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is designed primarily for students who plan to enter graduate programs in chemistry or other closely related sciences. The department is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS), 1155 - Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC, 20036. Students graduating with this degree will be certified to the Society and will receive a certificate from the ACS. The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry fulfills the need of those students who are pursuing pre-medical or pre-dental programs as well as those who plan to enter fields such as business, environmental or patent law, where a background in chemistry can be of great utility.

The program leading to the Master of Arts Degree in English is a 30-semester-unit curriculum. Opportunities for emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language exist in a flexible curriculum.

Within the graduate program leading to the Master of Arts, students may choose to complete a concentration in either the Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL) or Rhetoric and Composition. Graduate students also may elect to do all of their work in the study of literature. The program is designed carefully to offer both breadth and depth and will give students a solid understanding of their discipline.

The Master of Arts in English Option in the Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL) is a 30-unit program of study designed for graduate students planning careers in TESL/TEFL at the secondary school or college level in this country or abroad. This program combines upper-division and graduate-level coursework in English and linguistics.

Liberal Studies (LBS) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate major for students who intend to become elementary and special education teachers or to pursue related graduate work. Courses leading to the B.A. in Liberal Studies focus on the subject areas taught in elementary schools as well as professional preparation and early fieldwork.

 The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers majors leading to a Bachelor of Arts Degree. The B.A. Degree also has a Biochemistry Option.

Students graduating with this degree will be certified to the Society and will receive a certificate from the ACS. The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry fulfills the need of those students who are pursuing pre-medical or pre-dental programs as well as those who plan to enter fields such as business, environmental or patent law, where a background in chemistry can be of great utility.