Master of Science in Environmental Science

at California State University - Monterey Bay USA

The Human Development & Family Science major focuses on human development from infancy through old age. Students will examine how family and community dynamics affect the development of individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences. Through fieldwork, program evaluation, and service-learning, students become prepared to work with children, youth, families, and elders in education or social service programs.

To learn more about the major, visit the Human Development and Family Science Department.

In the Psychology major, you’ll develop a solid understanding of human behavior and mental processes using a scientific approach. You’ll explore the ways in which human biology, psychological experience and cultural contexts combine to influence our actions and thoughts.

Statistics is the study of data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Statisticians summarize and visualize data in meaningful ways, test hypotheses, estimate unknown quantities in the population, and predict unknown outcomes based on available data.

The Statistics B.S. prepares you (i) to summarize and visualize data, (ii) to analyze data to address research objectives, (iii) to communicate results clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms, (iv) to understand the role of the profession in service of society, and (v) to work in interdisciplinary environments.

Our program is designed for two paths. The first path is for workforce immediately after the B.S. degree such as industry (e.g., business, pharmaceuticals, actuarial science) and federal agencies. The second path is to pursue graduate degrees (M.S., M.A., or Ph.D.) in statistics, biostatistics, data science, and related fields requiring the statistical skills.

The ability to communicate with Spanish speakers and appreciate Hispanic cultures gives you a tremendous advantage in a wide range of careers. Whether on the job or in your community, your Spanish language competency and cultural understanding can help you establish valuable connections in the inter-dependent global community.

You will attain an advanced level of proficiency in Spanish according to the criteria of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages(ACTFL) guidelines. You will also acquire a reasonable understanding and knowledge of Hispanic cultures through the study of literature, history, art, social science, philosophy, etc. in a variety of courses taught in Spanish and English. As you plan your program, you will be able to select a specific area of concentration (literature, culture, linguistics) in which to acquire a deeper knowledge relative to your particular interests and goals. Additionally, you will engage in real-life learning via your service-learning experiences where you will have opportunities to work with public and private agencies on projects that integrate your language skills with community needs. Finally, in your Senior Capstone project, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate thorough understanding of a topic of interest to you.

The program prepares you for successful professional careers in teaching, business and technology, travel, tourism, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and for graduate study in Hispanic languages and literatures, Chicano/Latino studies, linguistics, translation and interpretation, TESOL, or focused international disciplines such as policy, management and business.

The Liberal Studies (LS) B.A. program is designed for students who desire to become elementary or special education teachers. There are different pathways to choose from, depending on your interests:

LS BA Traditional Pathway - This pathway is for the Liberal Studies BA degree only. Upon graduation, students on this pathway may pursue a credential at CSUMB or another institution.

The profession of social work is committed to social and economic justice, ethics, diversity, and advocacy. The Master of Social Work education prepares social workers with an advanced knowledge base and skills to address complex social problems and to promote the well-being of individuals and society.

The Central Coast Tri-County area in particular is facing a critical shortage of MSW-level social workers. The MSW program at CSUMB is a response to community needs and focuses on local multicultural diversity and social justice. The purpose of the MSW program is to fulfill the local needs that have been historically neglected. It will prepare future generations of MSW-level social workers to serve the needs of local residents and communities in California’s Central Coast.

The scope of the program focuses on preparing social work professionals with clinical skills of which the local communities are in dire need. The MSW program is devoted to provide quality graduate education, build alliances with social work employers, as well as maintain strong relationships with the local communities of diverse cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and economic structures.

The Master of Arts in Education prepares strong education professionals to have an informed understanding of complex learning; the knowledge and skills to promote such learning; and the disposition to advocate effectively for the learning, living and growth of students, especially those who bring cultural, linguistic and other diversity to schools. The program coursework challenges educators to analyze and improve their instructional practice to better serve students with diverse ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, as well as students with special needs.

Curriculum and Instruction

The Master of Arts in Education provides advanced training to prepare effective professional educators who implement evidence-based practices to promote meaningful outcomes in our schools and communities.

Want to establish broad knowledge, communication skills, creative talents, critical thinking abilities and multicultural awareness that will make you widely employable? Looking for an incredibly interdisciplinary and adaptable major that combines dozens of traditional fields of study?

Humanities & Communication majors gain broad knowledge, multicultural communication skills, creative talents, and outstanding writing and critical thinking abilities for the 21st-century workplace. Our major integrates traditional disciplines within humanities and communication with contemporary fields and explores how these fields interrelate.

You will study across the various disciplines in order to gain an integrated understanding of world issues and problems, and you will apply your knowledge ethically, critically, and creatively toward the fulfillment of concrete personal and social goals and needs.

The Environmental Science, Technology & Policy major is an applied environmental sciences major emphasizing:

• Strong preparation for careers and graduate study in a wide range of fields including environmental resource assessment and management, environmental consulting, science education and marine science
• A rigorous, interdisciplinary science foundation integrating biology, chemistry, physics and the earth sciences
• Hands-on experience with advanced technologies for collecting, analyzing, visualizing and communicating scientific data
• Active, field-oriented learning through frequent outdoor fieldtrips, field and laboratory experiments, community-based service projects and internships
• Real-world application of science and technology for the benefit of society
• An understanding of the social, economic and political processes that influence when and how scientific information can improve environmental decision making
• Strong collaboration and communication skills, including written, oral, and multimedia communication formats

The Global Studies program will guide you in the critical analysis of complex and interdependent global systems.  Through interdisciplinary learning–including socio-cultural, political, economic, spiritual/religious, ecological topics–you will become an engaged global citizen who contributes solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.

The required and elective courses, spread out over five Major Learning Outcomes, will prepare you for an integrated study of global processes, forms of knowledge, and interdisciplinary methods, including and often centering voices from the ‘Global South.’  You will explore themes such as humanitarianism, migration, development, political economy, religion, conflict and peace-making, gender, and ecology.  Finally, you will apply integrative knowledge and skills to address contemporary global problems through a Capstone project.