Bachelor of Arts, Major in Music

at San Jose State University USA

The M.A. program in Communication Studies at San José State University is grounded in the theoretical and ethical foundations of communication studies; the modes of inquiry employed by communication scholars; and the practical application of these concepts and methods in professional and scholarly contexts.

We approach graduate study as an interdisciplinary exploration of multiple paradigms. Students are introduced to rhetorical, interpretive, quantitative, critical, and pedagogical frameworks.

Our curriculum is designed for new graduates, mid-career professionals, and those returning to school after a hiatus.

After completing the two-year program, alumni pursue careers in a range of fields: aspiring academics continue to doctoral programs, those with a passion for teaching pursue appointments at local community colleges, and many go on to careers in Silicon Valley or in the nonprofit sector

The goal of this concentration, offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy, is to give the candidate a thorough grounding in physics, computer programming, and numerical methods. All candidates are required to complete a thesis including the defense (Plan A) or take an oral comprehensive examination as culminating experience (Plan B).

The Department of Justice Studies at San José State University, located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, is less than one hour drive from San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. The Department of Justice Studies was founded in 1930, and is the oldest degree-granting program in criminal justice in the United States. Over the last 80 years it has undergone significant transformations, but its longstanding reputation of academic excellence continues today, as the Justice Studies program expands to meet the challenges of a global society.

Faculty in our department are internationally renowned scholars whose research interests include mass-incarceration, urban policing, immigration control, prisoner reentry, juvenile justice, gender and race in crime and punishment, politics of reproduction, forensic science, crime in the Caribbean, and drug policies. We offer a unique interdisciplinary graduate curriculum drawing upon Criminology, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Law and History. Areas of teaching and research in the Department include criminal justice, law & society, human rights, policy evaluation, critical legal studies, punishment & society, feminist criminology, race theory, and history.

The M.S. Justice Studies program prepares graduates for careers in criminal justice administration, research and policy centers, public institutions, community organizations, and nonprofit agencies, as well as for doctoral programs and research positions in public agencies.

The Master of Science in Data Analytics, offered by the Department of Applied Data Science, is developed in partnership with industry experts targeting students from diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Students receive the advanced education necessary to apply analytics to solve real-world problems by immersing them in the full data analytics process lifecycle.

Students learn how to build portfolios of data analytics projects by leveraging the interrelationship between domain data knowledge and emerging information technologies. Students advance their knowledge and skills through the integration of:

• Identifying domain-specific problems, defining requirements, and establishing measurable organizational objectives.
• Performing data exploration, preparation, visualization, and governance.
• Applying programming, statistics, database, data mining, and machine learning technologies to build models for descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive data analytics.
• Engaging in the development, validation, and monitoring of data analytics systems to meet requirements and objectives.

Today most organizations treat analytics as a strategic asset, and analytics is central to many functional roles and skills. This program prepares students for a career in data analytics in almost all industry domains. Potential career roles for graduates include data analyst, data administrator, business intelligence analyst, and information research scientist.

San Jose State University has an outstanding curriculum in molecular biology that includes courses providing a strong theoretical background as well as intensive hands-on laboratory experience. Graduates from this program typically pursue PhDs, MDs and other health science-related graduate degrees, or careers in the biotechnology industry. Biotechnology is one of the most rapidly growing industries in the Bay Area and the world with an accelerating need for employees with training in the biological sciences. Career opportunities for students with a concentration in Molecular Biology include teaching, research, drug development, marketing, management, and patent law.

The faculty in the Molecular Concentration were trained at prestigious institutions including UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, the Salk Institute, and Stanford University, and their research is funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.  Students in our program have the opportunity to directly interact with their professors, an important advantage over programs at many other universities.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe and explain how peoples and societies evolve across time and space demonstrating the importance of context (social, political, economic, cultural, environmental, ideological, and technological).
• Illustrate the complexity of historical causality and describe past events from multiple perspectives.
• Analyze the credibility of historical sources and arguments, revising interpretations as new evidence warrants.
• Conceive and carry out historical research, constructing persuasive evidence-based arguments using primary and secondary sources according to recognized standards of the historical discipline.

This program prepares students for intellectually and aesthetically challenging careers in Graphic Design by providing courses that emphasize theory and professional practice. The curriculum concentrates on the organization and visual communication of information and includes typography, form and image, information architecture, user interface, interactive design, and motion graphics. Additionally, students have the opportunity to attend special classes and workshops led by studio professionals and faculty members.

To be admitted to the program, students must pass two portfolio reviews. To advance to the BFA GD program, students must pass two Junior and two Senior Reviews.

In the world of competitive business, companies are always looking to gain an edge for their products or services. Advertising gets them that edge. Successful modern advertising takes creativity and innovation. The School of Journalism and Mass Communications can give you the skills to make a difference in this dynamic field.

The BS Meteorology degree program, offered by the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, is designed to develop meteorologists who, upon graduation, are ready to begin professional practice in the private sector or in government, or are ready to enter graduate programs in atmospheric science.

The Professional Science Master of Biotechnology Program (MBT) is a formal 2-year degree program that integrates advanced, hands-on training in laboratory-based biotechnologies with MBA-level business courses from the College of Business. Through elective choices, students supplement the core program with additional hands-on science or MBA courses to support their career goals. MBT program graduates are highly trained individuals who have had direct exposure to the biotechnology corporate world and are ready to make immediate contributions to biotechnology companies. Graduates have been hired for research, product development, marketing, regulatory affairs, clinical affairs, project management, quality control, and other types of positions.