Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies

at California State University - Fresno USA

Contemplating a vibrant career in media, communications or journalism? Check out the MCJ Department. An exciting array of options awaits students, including advertising, broadcast journalism, film and media arts, digital journalism and public relations.

Graduates of the MCJ Department work for many of America’s leading print and digital news outlets, radio and television stations, broadcast and film production companies, advertising agencies, public relations firms, corporations, government agencies, and community-based organizations.

Advertising/public relations. Ready to grab the attention of your audience? Want to use strategic communication to help an organization succeed? The department’s advertising and public relations students work for such agencies as J. Walter Thompson, Chiat/Day, Publicis and Hal Riney, American Airlines, Google, Facebook, Twitter, FleishmanHillard, Salvation Army, Valley Children’s Hospital, Coca Cola, and Orbitz.

The department provides the foundation for graduates in early childhood, special education, bilingual instruction, reading/language arts, and teacher education. Our goal is to provide a foundation for our students to become leaders in education and highly skilled professionals. We hope you find that our faculty are committed to providing quality instruction for you to become a leader at your site and in education as a whole.

The Industrial Technology program at California State University, Fresno is geared towards preparing students for managerial and leadership roles in the industry. The program equips students with the necessary skills to use and manage state-of-the-art technologies in the fields of agricultural information systems, manufacturing, processing and packaging, quality systems and transportation. A blend of lectures, online instruction and hands-on lab activities together with engaged faculty and staff provides students with an environment that nurtures critical thinking and encourages innovation. The undergraduate curriculum includes technical concentrations in the areas of automotive technologies, food processing, and packaging, manufacturing quality and spatial technology which build on the strong foundations of our technology and management core courses.

The program for the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology is accredited by the Association of Technology Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). The department was awarded the highest possible accreditation, six years which is valid until 2024.

The Master of Science degree program in Computer Science is designed to offer the advanced principles, applications, and current topics in computer science. Students who obtain the M.S. will be ready to do significant developmental work in the computer industry or in an important application area and will also be well qualified to pursue a Ph.D.

The Graphic Design program provides a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degrees that offers students a professionally-oriented degree program containing three areas of emphasis: graphic design, illustration, and interactive multimedia design. Within these areas, students will explore various design and art theories, applications and technology that are part of becoming a graphic designer, illustrator and/or interactive designer.

Computer science is applied reasoning using both art and science: It requires the ability to communicate ideas through a combination of language and powerful technology. It is concerned with the interaction of humans and computers, as well as the application of computers to a myriad of specialized problems.

The goal of the Department of Computer Science is to offer programs to a diverse audience: (1) students interested primarily in computing, (2) students interested primarily in applying computing to some other field of study, and (3) students who wish to include computing as part of their general education.

The bachelor's degree in computer science prepares students for careers in the computing industry or for graduate study. Combined with a minor in another field of study, the bachelor's degree allows students to utilize their computing expertise in a variety of specialized fields. The core and computer science theory courses are excellent preparation for students who intend to pursue an advanced degree in computer science.

The Department of Educational Leadership offers a graduate program leading to a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. The program prepares individuals interested in careers in higher education settings and agencies. The mission of the Higher Education Administration and Leadership (HEAL) program is to develop ethical leaders whose practice relies on critical thinking and is informed by research and theory to work in colleges, universities, and other educational agencies as a means of advancing social justice and diversity.

HEAL attracts individuals interested in careers in colleges, universities, and other related educational settings. During a 30-unit, four-semester, program of study, HEAL students delve into a curriculum that examines policies, practices, theories, and current issues related to the post-secondary education pipeline. Students acquire valuable analytical skills while developing their philosophies in social justice and leadership. The HEAL curriculum and the relationships with faculty lead to learning experiences that offer students the essential knowledge and skills required for exemplary practice in a variety of roles in higher education and student affairs.

The Department of Finance and Business Law offers three options (areas of emphasis) within the Bachelor of Science in the Business Administration degree program.

The Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Option provides the background for a wide range of career opportunities in addition to residential and commercial real estate sales. These areas include development, lending, banking, appraising, escrow, property management, and construction. Usually students who enroll in the real estate option will complete all courses necessary to take the California Brokers License Examination.

The Master of Science in Industrial Technology is a 30-unit program which offers graduate study in both industrial and educational related professional and technical fields. Emphasis is directed toward the attainment of advanced competency in the areas of industrial and technology education as well as manufacturing technology. Through selected courses, within the department and other disciplines, knowledge and experience can be acquired in research and development, management and administration, technological studies, and educational studies that are related to all areas of the field.

The Bachelor of Science in Geology prepares students for employment in petroleum geology, mineral exploration, land-use planning, environmental assessment, hydrology, and engineering geology, or for teaching earth science or physical science at the secondary level. The Master of Science program provides a graduate degree for students who want to work in industry or government on the professional level, for students who want to teach earth science in junior college, or for students who wish to pursue further graduate study.