Master of Arts in Communication

at California State University - Fresno USA

Audiology, speech-language pathology, deaf education and interpreting are concerned with many issues related to speech, healing, and language. Professionals in audiology and speech-language pathology ?elds are devoted to providing diagnostic, rehabilitative, and educational services to children and adults with communicative challenges. Professionals in deaf education and interpreting ?elds are devoted to providing educational services and community-related services to children and adults who communicate in American Sign Language and/or other communication modalities.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Sciences provides the students with a liberal arts foundation integrated with courses designed to provide a basic understanding of speech, language, and hearing development and communicative problems. Students pursuing deaf studies have three options: deaf education, deaf studies, and sign language interpretation. Students majoring in deaf education and speech-language pathology can continue their options in our graduate program.

Deaf Education. Our deaf education program gives you a broad background in bilingual-bicultural education, total communication, and cued speech philosophies along with speech, language, auditory training, deaf culture, and American Sign Language. This program includes all of the essential elements of a good education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The program is nationally accredited by the Council of Education of the Deaf (CED).

The Department of Kinesiology offers advanced study designed to enhance professional competencies in pedagogy (M.A. in Kinesiology), exercise science (Exercise Science Option), sport administration (Sport Administration Option), and sport psychology (Sport Psychology Option). These offerings prepare students for more advanced degrees, applied research, and/or careers in clinical settings, teaching, administration, coaching, or the sport industry.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration for individuals who are committed to the recreation and leisure services profession. The major in Recreation Administration prepares students with the knowledge, understanding, ability, and skill necessary to successfully function in professional positions related to the major.

Curriculum
Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions, the department offers a B.S. and a Minor in Recreation Administration.

Students in the recreation administration major complete a core of courses. These courses are designed to assist students in acquiring competencies related to the principles of recreation, leadership, group dynamics, and leisure behavior. Courses also cover legal and financial aspects of recreation service, advanced program planning, organization and administration of leisure services, evaluation, and professionalism.

Students develop specific skills in the areas of communication, human behavior, youth services, entrepreneurism, and adventure-based recreation and tourism, finance, management, marketing, funding, resources, program planning and supervision, and facility management.

Under the guidance of a practitioner, students in recreation administration are encouraged to acquire 1,000 hours of paid or voluntary hands-on experience in a variety of recreation, clinical, or leisure services agencies. In addition, they complete full-time internships with commercial recreation and tourism enterprises, public recreation agencies, nonprofit organizations, park-oriented agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other service organizations.

The faculty members continue to be recognized for quality hands-on education as well as scholarly contributions to their academic disciplines. Each student is assigned to a faculty adviser to maximize the student's educational experience at California State University, Fresno. The faculty are noted for cooperation and activity within each industry to prepare and place graduates in their chosen career.

The term kinesiology means "the study of movement," and the academic discipline of kinesiology comprises the subdisciplines of exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport and exercise psychology, athletic training and sports medicine, sports administration, physical education, and fitness and health promotion. The overall objective of the programs in kinesiology is to improve the lives of students by providing insight, education, and practical experience in exercise, sport, and physical activity. Programs in kinesiology open doors to relevant and rewarding professional careers.

The Department of Kinesiology is composed of a cohesive, creative, and dynamic group of well-educated faculty with a wealth of practical and professional experience. Students are engaged in educational and clinical research programs and practical experiences which incorporate leading-edge technology and best practices. The curriculum and associated instruction provide a solid foundation for future learning and professional growth. The program incorporates many opportunities for professional certification through prestigious national organizations and governing bodies. Students become experts in exercise, fitness, performance, and wellness.

The undergraduate Sport Administration Option prepares students for entry-level careers in the sport industry and graduate studies in Sport Administration. Students learn a combination of skills related to sport and undergo a strategic career analysis, evaluate their marketability within the sport industry, learn how to differentiate themselves from the competition, network with leading sport personnel and organizations, and develop a career plan and resume -- all while gaining essential hands-on sport industry experience.

A major in music is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching, performance, or music-related fields. It enhances their knowledge of the musical art and increases their sensitivity to the musical world around them.

The Department of Music provides the following:

• undergraduate instruction in music for those planning professional careers as performers, composers, and studio teachers, as well as those preparing for advanced degrees in performance and composition
• state-approved subject matter preparation required for a California teaching credential in music
• graduate education for students planning professional and academic careers or seeking professional growth as K-12 teachers or junior college instructors
• broad acquaintance with music for the community and non-music majors

The Master of Science degree in Criminology is a 30-unit, flexible program which provides a solid core in the field of criminology while permitting students to pursue specialized areas of interest. The master’s program is designed to prepare students for service and responsible administrative and professional positions in agencies in the criminal justice system. The master’s program also prepares students for a wide variety of occupations including in-service education; administrative education and management; community college teaching; predoctoral studies; and research.

The M.F.A. in Creative Writing offers advanced degree training to talented students who wish to gain expertise in the writing of poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. It assumes that, as in music or the visual arts, the best education for the artist includes: training in the history and traditions associated with the student's discipline, training in theoretical and formal approaches to the craft, and extensive practice with critique of student work by peers and faculty writers. The program combines studio and academic approaches, providing the student with substantial critical workshop experience and a solid background in theory and literature. In addition to a traditional literature based course of study, we offer the Emphasis in Publishing and Editing for those students who wish to gain professional training and experience in the field.

The Department of Public Health offers curricula based on principles of public health practices leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, including a major and minor in health science with options in community health, environmental/occupational health and safety, and health administration.

The Health Science Bachelor of Science curriculum consists of a core of five courses providing a foundation of knowledge and skills critical to the theory and practice of the health professional. In addition, students complete a specialized cluster of courses in an option that provides the depth and breadth for the area. A variety of combinations between and within options is possible to meet professional goals.

Our deaf education program gives you a broad background in bilingual-bicultural education, total communication, and cued speech philosophies along with speech, language, auditory training, deaf culture, and American Sign Language. This program includes all of the essential elements of a good education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The program is nationally accredited by the Council of Education of the Deaf (CED).