College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Africana Studies (AFRS) major is a multidisciplinary academic major (45 units) designed for students who wish 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 certain aspects of this broad subject. These …

The Africana Studies (AFRS) major is a multidisciplinary academic major (45 units) designed for students who wish 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 certain aspects of this broad subject. These …

The Africana Studies (AFRS) major is a multidisciplinary academic major (45 units) designed for students who wish 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 certain aspects of this broad subject. These …

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, …

Geography/Standard Program prepares students to understand the environment around us and to interpret the patterns found across Earth’s surface. Comprised of 46 units, the Geography 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 Single Subject Credential …

Geography/Geographic Information Science features a strong technical component based on applications of geographic information science (GIS), cartography and remote sensing, along with training in geographical analysis and data presentation. Social Science Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential Geography majors who are interested in teaching social studies at the middle school or high school …

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. …

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

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 wish to prepare for careers in government, politics and public offices within public and nonprofit …

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 wish 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.

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) wish to prepare themselves for graduate work in psychology or (c) plan to enter one of several professional or occupational …

The purpose of the Honors in Psychology program is to recognize and support the development of exceptional Psychology students. The Honors in Psychology program allows students the opportunity to engage in advanced-level coursework to better prepare for graduate coursework and/or careers in the field of Psychology. Interested students should consult the Department of Psychology website …

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: Wish to enter professional graduate schools in such fields as urban planning, urban design, …

The minor in African Studies is designed to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of African history, literature, politics, geography and cultures. It provides a background for advanced study of Africa and for teaching Africa and world cultures in elementary and secondary schools. Students may take courses in several departments that satisfy the minor …

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 …

A minor in Asian Studies is of particular interest and value to students majoring in Anthropology, Business, Geography, History, Political Science, Economics or Religious Studies. The minor in Asian Studies consists of 18 units with no more than 6 lower division units. The student must consult with an Asian Studies advisor to develop an approved …

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.

The interdisciplinary minor in Human Sexuality is offered by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The minor serves students with a special interest in this area because of its relation to their career plans (in counseling, teaching, scholarly research, etc.) as well as those who want to take courses in this area as part …

The minor in Political Science is designed for students who wish 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 option prepares …

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 available both during the day and in the evening. The …

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 is required for admission to either classified or unclassified graduate standing. Please see additional …

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 is required for admission to either classified or unclassified graduate standing. Please see additional …

Clinical Psychology emphasizes theory and practice in psychological assessment and psychological interventions, together with the study of research methods and program evaluation. Students participate in fieldwork placements in clinical settings in our on-campus Community Services Center in Monterey Hall as well as in off-campus placements. In addition, students may opt to engage in independent research …

Notice: Effective Fall 2019, the General Experimental Psychology Option has been elevated to a standalone M.A. program in Psychological Science. For more information, please see the Department of Psychology website. CSUN’s General Experimental Psychology graduate program option provides rigorous training in advanced statistical methods, research methods and design, and theory in psychology for students who …

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 onto …

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 wish to improve their management knowledge and skills. The program has been designed to provide an academically sound and effective course of study for mid-career 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 mid-career 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 mid-career 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 mid-career 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 mid-career 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 mid-career 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 2-year program, students can obtain their M.S. degree and complete the Behavior Analyst Certification 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. This full-time program consists of two academic years and 20 courses equaling 60 credits, of which 12 are …

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 thoroughly …

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 Non-Profit 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 …

The certificate is available for individuals who are not seeking a master’s degree in Public Administration but who wish to update and expand their skills. Students must successfully complete all units of coursework in the field in which they wish certification. However, it is mandatory for students to make formal application to the program and to meet …

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 …

The purpose of this certificate is to provide students who are currently enrolled in the MSW cohort knowledge and professional skills specifically in the social work practice area with a focus on urban individuals and families. These courses align with the mandates of the accrediting body for social work programs, the Council on Social Work …