Master of Science in Marine Science

at California State University - Monterey Bay USA

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.

Students in the Marine Science major apply a wide range of technologies to studying marine ecosystems. Through applied learning and research, you will gain the skills necessary to develop a sustainable balance between the unique environmental, recreational, cultural and economic opportunities in the Monterey Bay region.

Through lab and field experience, you will apply techniques of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and presentation that provide you with the skills needed to monitor and analyze marine science problems. You are encouraged to interact with other Monterey Bay institutions, such as the Moss Landing Marine Labs, to take advantage of additional local expertise in marine and coastal ecology.

Graduates of the Marine Science major are prepared for a variety of career pathways in the public and private sector. Graduates are also poised to continue their education via graduate studies and research in ecology, environmental science and related fields.

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.

The MSPA program at CSUMB is a full-time, 28-month, year-round graduate program, consisting of 83 credit hours completed over 7 semesters. MSPA courses have a different fee structure and academic calendar. The curriculum is separated into didactic, clinical, and hybrid semesters. The curriculum structure is specially designed to prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be competent PAs upon completion of the program.

Student are required to participate in all program activities, comply with all program and university policies, and demonstrate professional behavior as defined in the MSPA Student Handbook. Students are assessed through written examinations and performance evaluations throughout the duration of the program. Students must pass each component of the curriculum to make satisfactory progress in the program.

The Mathematics major prepares you to analyze complex discipline-based issues, synthesize information from multiple sources and perspectives, communicate skillfully in oral and written forms, and use appropriate technologies. The flexibility of the major gives you enough freedom to mold your degree along your particular interest toward a career or graduate school. Many mathematics majors pursue careers in industry (e.g. engineering, finance, business), teaching, and government service immediately upon graduation. Others continue on to graduate school, then pursue careers in research and university teaching.

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.

Emphasis
Students must select one of the following emphases and complete the requirements.

• Curriculum & Instruction
• Special Education
• Preliminary Teacher Credential
• Education Administration

The School Psychology program is designed to prepare professional K-12 school psychologists with the essential competencies to provide the complex services demanded of schools within the educational system. The program is designed to foster development along the ten NASP domains, with a focus in each area around serving culturally and linguistically diverse students in diverse settings.

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.