Master of Arts in Psychological Science

at California State University - San Bernardino USA

This program is designed for students who wish to teach social science subjects in California’s schools, middle school through high school OR who wish to build a unique BA in Social Sciences program that suits their interests and professional goals.

FOR those interested in teaching, in addition to this coursework, students will have to pass 2 California pre-credential exams in order to be admitted into a Teaching Credential Program, post-BA: the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), which encompasses knowledge and understanding primarily of history, but also geography, economics, and political science and the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) which is comprised of three subtests: basic math, reading, and writing skills for individuals planning a career in teaching.  

The core discipline in the program is history, as that is the most widely taught social science subject in secondary schools. Students also choose a second concentration in one of the other three disciplines: geography, economics, or political science.  Students interested in pursuing Teaching are encouraged to see their Social Science advisor early in their program for assistance in choosing courses.

FOR those with interests outside of teaching in multidisciplinary and individualized programs, this program is also designed for students with a varied set of academic and career interests. Students develop skills in areas that are deemed crucial in a wide array of contemporary professions: Globalism, Multiculturalism and Intercultural Fluency, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Oral and Written Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration and Professionalism and Work Ethic. For students interested in the multidisciplinary and individualized programs, it is recommended that you first meet with an Academic Advisor in order to develop your program. All multidisciplinary and individualized programs must be approved by the BA in Social Sciences Coordinator.

Additionally, students looking to enhance their career prospects may elect to complete up to 6 units of SSCI 5750 Internship and 6 units of SSCI 5950 Independent Studies, for a total of 3 - 12 units, with the consent of the Program Coordinator.

The Bachelor of Arts in Career and Technical Studies (BCTS) is designed to provide candidates with significant occupational and teaching experience the opportunity to have that experience count as partial credit toward a baccalaureate degree.

Occasionally, students with specialized educational or professional objectives may find that the existing degree programs offered at the university do not satisfy personal needs or career plans and that a carefully structured, interdisciplinary program of study is more appropriate.

The B.A. with Special Major is an interdisciplinary program intended for students with unusual interests and abilities who have the initiative and desire to design their own major with the aid of faculty and professional advisors. The purpose of these individually-designed special majors is to provide a carefully controlled opportunity for exceptional students to design, with faculty approval, a flexible interdisciplinary course of study that leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Admission normally is limited to students who can design (with the aid of a faculty committee) individualized programs organized around a coherent topic or cross-disciplinary subject that involves two or more departments. Occasionally, short-term interests in interdisciplinary programs may be served by more structure and degree plans organized by faculty for groups of students.

The B.A. with Special Major is not intended to bypass normal graduation requirements or to avoid certain requirements of a regular major offered at CSUSB or at other nearby institutions. The self-designed major should not substantially duplicate any existing degree offered at CSUSB. Likewise, a Special Major cannot be developed in areas such as architecture, agriculture, or engineering where the campus lacks the necessary faculty expertise to guide the student and supervise the culminating project. Students must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 including work taken at all institutions and must maintain a 3.0 average in the courses required for the self-designed major.

Although the Special Major is a unique program that suits individual goals, has potential to combine fields and functions, and can add distinction to the degree, such an interdisciplinary program may pose professional obstacles and be difficult to explain to graduate schools and employers. Career goals and prerequisites for higher degrees should be reviewed before proceeding with this major. In particular, students who will be seeking a teaching credential should consult with faculty in the College of Education to see how a Special Major might impact subject matter requirements for teachers.

Interested students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies to begin the application and screening process. Prospective majors should be prepared to present a one-page description and justification of the program which outlines the concepts, goals and objectives to be fulfilled by the Special Major. If, after discussing the tentative interdisciplinary interests of the student, the Office of Undergraduate Studies believes the student should be encouraged to prepare a formal application and proposal for a Special Major, a packet of information and forms for justifying and submitting the proposed interdisciplinary curriculum will be provided to the student. If the student has not yet found faculty members who are interested in helping the student develop the curriculum and guide their study, the Office of Undergraduate Studies will suggest possible faculty committee members.

A liberal arts degree based in a broad program of general studies with 2 areas of concentration: Art Education and Studio Art. The Art Education concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue teaching at the K-12 level, art activism, nonprofit leadership, and community arts.  The concentration in Studio Art offers a breadth of artistic exposure and experiences for the student with a strong professional interest in art who may wish to pursue graduate studies.

The Bachelor's of Art degree program in chemistry is designed for the student who plans a career in chemistry or the related sciences upon graduation, continuation to graduate school in the chemical sciences, or professional health sciences such as medicine or pharmacy, but is interested in studying other subjects to augment a basic chemistry curriculum, perhaps with a minor or a double major in another field, for example.  The program provides foundational course work in the sub-disciplinary areas of organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry with cognate course work in biology, mathematics and physics.  A concentration in biochemistry or chemistry is required.  The B.A. program is not certified by the American Chemical Society.

Environmental Studies is an interdisciplinary B.A. degree program that examines interactions of human society and nature through approaches of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.  Courses introduce foundation principles of ecology and environmental science in relation to issues of policy, politics, law, economics, social aspects, planning, pollution control, and natural resources management.  Two degree concentrations are designed to prepare students for a broad field of environmental career pathways: Environmental Sustainability and Environmental Systems.  Upon successful completion of the Environmental Studies B.A. degree program, students who want further training may go to graduate school in the natural sciences, public administration, planning, environmental law, environmental health, or education.

The Environmental Studies B.A., Environmental Sustainability Concentration, focuses on the concept of sustainability from an interdisciplinary perspective. This concentration includes instruction in sustainable development, environmental policies, ethics, ecology, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, economics, natural resource issues, sociology, and anthropology.  Career pathways explored by this concentration include the work of government agencies and non-governmental organizations, natural resource planners and managers, environmental regulators, K-12 educators, and advocates. This concentration is recommended for students that want a broad and flexible liberal arts program that allows them follow diverse interests.

The Environmental Studies B.A., Environmental Systems Concentration, focuses on the application of biological, chemical, and physical principles to the study of environmental problems and solutions, including subjects such as abating or controlling environmental pollution and degradation; physical interactions between human society and the natural environment; and approaches to natural resources management. This concentration provides a science-intensive background with instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, environmental health, climatology, statistics, and mathematical modeling.  Career pathways explored by this concentration include the work of environmental specialists in consulting firms, governmental agencies that monitor and protect environmental quality, as well as in multiple fields of scientific research on human impacts to the environment.  This concentration is recommended for students preparing to pursue a graduate degree in the natural sciences, or preparing for an environmentally related technical career.

The Bachelor of Science in Mathematics program is designed for the student who, upon graduation, plans to pursue graduate studies in mathematics, begin a career in mathematics or closely related field, or pursue teaching. We offer three distinct concentrations. Students are encouraged to speak to a mathematics faculty advisor to select the appropriate concentration and elective courses that will best fit their career goals.

Our M.A. is one of only two in the CSU system to focus specifically on rhetoric and composition studies, and one of only a few nationwide. The program enables students to become socially committed, rhetor­ically flexible writers who make significant contributions in their cho­sen fields and communities. Our graduates are well prepared to pursue secondary or college teaching, advanced graduate study, and other ca­reers emphasizing writing, research, and analytical thinking.

Any student accepted for admission to CSUSB can declare music as major and pursue the BA in Music degree.  Examinations and auditions are available for advanced placement only, not as an entrance requirement.

All students enrolled as full-time music majors in the BA in Music are required to participate each semester until graduation in a major performing ensemble most appropriate to a student's applied emphasis.

Placement in the B.A. in Music is based on:

• A theory placement examination (proficiency in music fundamentals equal to that of MUS 1100 and MUS 1110),
• A piano proficiency audition, and
• An applied music audition (performance proficiency equal to collegiate applied music at the 1400-1450 level.

The B.A. in Geology, General Geology Concentration is recommended for students planning a career in public service and education (e.g. government agencies, park rangers and K-12 science teaching), non-profit or non-governmental environmental organizations, or pre-environmental law. This Concentration has maximum elective flexibility to produce an experience tailored to the needs of the student.

The B.A. in Geology, Field and Applied Geology Concentration is recommended for students planning to become professional geologists employed by environmental and geo-technical firms, governmental agencies, oil and mining companies, and for those students planning to pursue a graduate degree in geology. Emphasizing field and applied geology courses, and experiential learning, this program is designed to permit students to meet existing requirements for Professional Licensing.