College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Africana Studies (AFRS) major is a multidisciplinary academic major (45 units) designed for students who want to gain an understanding of the history, psychology, sociology, literature, culture and education of African-Americans and other Africans in the diaspora and the continent. The three specific options within the major enable students to concentrate their efforts on …

The Africana Studies (AFRS) major is a multidisciplinary academic major (45 units) designed for students who want to gain an understanding of the history, psychology, sociology, literature, culture and education of African-Americans and other Africans in the diaspora and the continent. The three specific options within the major enable students to concentrate their efforts on …

The Africana Studies (AFRS) major is a multidisciplinary academic major (45 units) designed for students who want to gain an understanding of the history, psychology, sociology, literature, culture and education of African-Americans and other Africans in the diaspora and the continent. The three specific options within the major enable students to concentrate their efforts on …

Anthropology involves the study of people, their origins, their biological variations and characteristics, their languages and cultural patterns, their social structures and institutions, and their adaptation to their environment. The department offers a major, a minor, an optional major program and a master’s program with two options. The major is designed to contribute to a …

The Criminology and Justice Studies program promotes the theoretical, analytical and practical understanding of crime, victimization and the criminal justice system from a social scientific perspective. The program provides a foundation for the study of criminology and criminal justice based in critical thinking and application, theory and research methodology, understanding diversity and global perspectives, writing, …

The History department offers a B.A. in History for undergraduate students. In the History major, students take a mix of larger survey classes, upper-level classes on more specific topics and several required seminars teaching skills in historical research and critical analysis. Students have many choices of courses and are encouraged to develop areas of interest. …

The Four-Year Integrated (FYI) and Junior-Year Integrated (JYI) History Subject Matter Programs for the Single Subject Credential, which represent a collaboration between the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, prepare students for a career teaching History-Social Science at the middle school and/or high school level. The FYI/JYI …

The Four-Year Integrated (FYI) and Junior-Year Integrated (JYI) History Subject Matter Programs for the Single Subject Credential, which represent a collaboration between the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, prepare students for a career teaching History-Social Science at the middle school and/or high school level. The FYI/JYI …

This option offers a variety of courses in domestic and global politics and policy. The curriculum may be selected by students who (a) want a liberal arts education; (b) who desire to pursue graduate education in political science or other fields, such as law; (c) who want to enter government; or (d) who intend to …

This option offers students an in-depth study of public law and the philosophies upon which our legal system is based. The option may be selected by students who want to pursue a career in law or to prepare for careers in government, politics and public offices within public and nonprofit organizations or the private sector.

This option offers a variety of courses in Public Policy and Management and allows students to form a thorough understanding of the political institutions through which public plans are formulated and implemented. The option may be selected by students who want to prepare for careers in government, politics and public offices within public and nonprofit …

The course of study and the requirements for the B.A. degree in Psychology provide an opportunity for students who (a) desire to extend their education in the liberal arts with an emphasis in psychology, (b) want to prepare themselves for graduate work in psychology or (c) plan to enter one of several professional or occupational …

Notice: The Honors in Psychology program has been suspended as of Fall 2019. The purpose of the Honors in Psychology program is to recognize and support the development of exceptional Psychology students. The Honors program allows students the opportunity to engage in advanced-level coursework to better prepare for graduate coursework and/or careers in the field …

The B.A. degree program in Public Sector Management (PSM) is designed for students who want to gain an understanding of the policy and management issues of government and nonprofit organizations and their impact on the communities they serve. Students, while being exposed to the political context in which public sector decisions are made, will be …

The B.A. in Sociology provides a liberal arts background, which teaches students to think critically; conceptualize problems; apply theories and concepts to real-world issues; collect, analyze and interpret data; carry out research projects; and understand issues of diversity. These skills prepare students for a wide variety of careers in fields such as social and human …

Urban Studies and Planning is an interdisciplinary program providing an undergraduate course of study that focuses on solutions to the major problems stemming from the complexities of contemporary urban life. The Urban Studies and Planning curriculum is designed for students who: Want to enter professional graduate schools in such fields as urban planning, urban design, …

The Geographic Information Science program features a strong technical component based on applications of geographic information science (GISci), cartography and remote sensing, along with training in geospatial analysis and data presentation. Students in the program will explore the application of GISci in various industries including, health and human services, public safety, natural/environmental sciences, retail, urban …

The Geography and Environmental Studies program prepares students to understand the environment around us and to interpret the patterns found across Earth’s surface. Comprised of 48 units, this major allows flexibility in course selection, while providing a solid background in human, physical and regional aspects of the discipline. Social Science Subject Matter Program for the …

Students should consult an advisor to design a program that complements their major. Students may choose courses from a wide range of offerings that provide a background in several areas critical to their understanding of the African world experience.

Anthropology teaches methodological and analytic skills with a focus on diversity and global issues. The Anthropology minor draws on the traditional, holistic emphasis in the field, which will serve students well in a variety of postgraduate experiences and career paths.

Applied Anthropology focuses specifically on how to operationalize anthropological knowledge and skills in non-academic settings and thus provides a focused complement to studies in many fields. A minor in Applied Anthropology will provide students with sufficient theoretical, methodological and substantive background to enable them to combine anthropological perspectives and skills with those of their chosen …

The Asian Studies minor is designed for students with diverse academic backgrounds who are interested in supplementing their degree with courses in interdisciplinary Asian Studies. The minor offers a wide range of courses on the history, culture, language, society, economy, and politics of countries in East Asia, Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Students …

The minor in California Studies is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses from a variety of disciplines, including biology, ethnic studies, geography, geology, history, political science and urban studies. The minor is designed to enhance faculty and student interaction in an interdisciplinary setting and assist both in exploring the connections among different perspectives on a …

A minor in GIS is comprised of 21 units focused on courses involving geographic information science and related technologies.

A minor in Geography is comprised of 20 units.

The History minor is a flexible 24-unit program ideal for students with other majors who are interested in History and who want to learn skills in writing and critical thinking. It offers the opportunity to take courses in a wide range of geographical areas and chronological periods.

Students in the Human Sexuality minor at CSUN will choose from a range of courses that cover three areas of human sexuality: (1) Health and Clinical Components; (2) Social and Psychological Components; and (3) Gender, Cultural, and Humanistic Components of Human Sexuality. The minor is intended to provide students with an interdisciplinary field of study …

The Interdisciplinary Studies of Africa (ISA) minor is designed to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the study of African history, politics, geography, literature, visual and performing arts, and culture. It provides a background for the advanced study of Africa, and for careers in international development, international law, international business, humanitarianism, journalism, museum curation, health, education …

The minor in Political Science is designed for students who want to have a formal secondary area of concentration. A minor is not required for a baccalaureate degree.

The minor in Psychology consists of 21 units.

The minor is designed for students interested in learning more about sociology and the theoretical ideas and research methods used by sociologists. Students can choose from a wide array of courses focused on topics such as gender, politics, family, social inequality, race/ethnicity, social movements, globalization, social justice and human sexuality. The minor requires the completion …

The minor in Urban Studies consists of 18 units.

The Anthropology master’s program emphasizes broad training in four fields of anthropology (archaeology, biological anthropology and human evolution, cultural anthropology and applied anthropology), while offering students some flexibility in degree planning and requirements. The master’s in Anthropology is particularly well-suited for students who want to enter a Ph.D. program in anthropology but may not have the preparation …

The Master of Arts in Geography provides the student with a high degree of flexibility in the selection of courses used to meet the program requirements. Courses may be selected from any of the graduate offerings in geomorphology, climatology, biogeography, economic geography, cultural geography, urban geography, regional geography, cartography and geographic information science. This degree …

The M.A. program in History offers students advanced training in historical research, writing and teaching. Seminars are small in size, providing students with unparalleled opportunities to work directly with faculty. Students have the option of pursuing their degrees full or part time, and classes are held in the afternoon and the evening. The graduate program …

The graduate program in Political Science is a liberal arts program based upon superior undergraduate preparation. It requires a higher level of achievement and places greater emphasis on independent study and research than does the baccalaureate program. Department evaluation and approval are required for admission to either classified or conditionally classified graduate standing. Additional information …

The graduate program in Political Science is a liberal arts program based upon superior undergraduate preparation. It requires a higher level of achievement and places greater emphasis on independent study and research than does the baccalaureate program. Department evaluation and approval are required for admission to either classified or conditionally classified graduate standing. Additional information …

CSUN’S graduate program in Psychological Science provides rigorous training in advanced statistical methods, research methods and design, and theory in psychology for students who plan to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology in a research-focused program. The program is comprised of faculty who are active researchers in their fields, and who are dedicated to training and …

The M.A. in Psychology (with options in Clinical Research or Clinical Fieldwork) emphasizes research and practicum training, along with theory and practice in psychological assessment and psychological interventions. Students in the Clinical Research option engage in independent research projects, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, leading to graduate theses. Students in the Clinical Fieldwork …

The M.A. in Psychology (with options in Clinical Research or Clinical Fieldwork) emphasizes research and practicum training, along with theory and practice in psychological assessment and psychological interventions. Students in the Clinical Research option engage in independent research projects, under the guidance of a faculty mentor, leading to graduate theses. Students in the Clinical Fieldwork …

The Public Archaeology master’s program prepares students to work in the field of cultural resource management and to attend Ph.D. programs that place an emphasis on public archaeology and cultural heritage management. Public Archeology students are required to take seminars in anthropological theory, archaeology and the management of archaeological resources; archaeological laboratory methods; and elective …

The master’s degree program in sociology provides advanced training in the core areas of sociological theory and research methods, as well as specialized studies in a number of areas, including culture, gender, sexuality, political sociology, race/ethnicity, social movements, sociology of education, evaluation research, immigration, health and social psychology. Graduates of the program have gone on …

This program offers an education in understanding and evaluating current practices, including environmental, social and economic considerations, and in choosing and implementing best practices through application of this knowledge. The five required courses ground students in the foundations of sustainability, best practices and the regulatory framework in which pro-environmental decisions must be made, as well …

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the appropriate professional degree program for administrators who are currently employed in the public, private or nonprofit sectors and who want to improve their management knowledge and skills. The program has been designed to provide an academically sound and effective course of study for midcareer professionals who have …

Notice: The MPA Geographical Information Systems and Technologies Option has been suspended as of Fall 2022. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the appropriate professional degree program for administrators who are currently employed in the public, private or nonprofit sectors and who want to improve their management knowledge and skills. The program has been …

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the appropriate professional degree program for administrators who are currently employed in the public, private or nonprofit sectors and who want to improve their management knowledge and skills. The program has been designed to provide an academically sound and effective course of study for midcareer professionals who have …

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the appropriate professional degree program for administrators who are currently employed in the public, private or nonprofit sectors and who want to improve their management knowledge and skills. The program has been designed to provide an academically sound and effective course of study for midcareer professionals who have …

Notice: The MPA Public Policy Analysis and Management Option has been suspended as of Fall 2022. The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the appropriate professional degree program for administrators who are currently employed in the public, private or nonprofit sectors and who want to improve their management knowledge and skills. The program has been …

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is the appropriate professional degree program for administrators who are currently employed in the public, private or nonprofit sectors and who want to improve their management knowledge and skills. The program has been designed to provide an academically sound and effective course of study for midcareer professionals who have …

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program is designed to provide advanced graduate-level training for students who have strong and well-defined interests in the scientific study of behavioral principles as applied to individuals and organizations. In this two-year program, students can obtain their M.S. degree in preparation for independent practice as Board …

The Department of Geography and Environmental Studies offers, within the Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci) degree, a highly structured specialization program in which most of the requirements are met with graduate courses dealing with various aspects of GIS. This program is designed for students who want to pursue a career in this highly …

The Master of Social Work degree at CSUN provides students with a strong academic program with professional skill development that provides social services to the San Fernando Valley and adjacent cities, as well as state, national and global communities. The MSW program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education and offers one specialization: …

The Master of Urban Planning provides a broad-based education in urban planning, especially as it is practiced in the State of California, where a wide range of state laws and mandates have created a planning environment that is distinct from its practice in much of the rest of the United States. The degree’s curriculum is …

For those who lack sufficient foundational knowledge in anthropological method and theory, the CSUN Foundations of Anthropological Knowledge curriculum provides excellent preparation for entry into the master’s degree program in Anthropology. Students will complete coursework in general anthropological method and theory, as well as topical work in three of the core subfields of anthropology: archaeology, …

For those who lack sufficient foundational knowledge in archaeological method and theory, the CSUN Foundations of Archaeological Knowledge curriculum provides excellent preparation for entry into the master’s degree program in Archaeology or Anthropology. Students will complete coursework in the method and theory used by anthropological archaeologists, as well as topical work in the archaeology of …

Today’s nonprofit-sector professionals must possess a range of managerial and organizational skills that will enable them to function successfully in diverse environments as well as across multiple disciplines. The CSUN Nonprofit Sector Management Certificate program, which is embedded in the Master of Public Administration degree, provides participants with in-depth exposure to administrative and managerial issues …

Essentials of Public Administration for Public Sector Professionals The graduate credit Certificate in Essentials of Public Administration for Public Sector Professionals is designed for individuals seeking to expand their professional skills. This graduate certificate allows students to get exposure to the fundamental and essential issues in public administration. There are six graduate-level courses required for the …