Master of Science in Special Education

at California State University - East Bay USA

Biology is concerned with living matter in all its forms, responses, and interactions. It deals with the study of anything that has been or is alive: microbes, fungi, plants, “protists” and all animals, including humans. The science of biology includes a large number of highly integrated sub-disciplines such as microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, evolutionary biology, physiology, systematics, and behavior. Biologists must draw upon a wide variety of academic disciplines to make observations and form conclusions, and well-trained biologists have solid backgrounds in chemistry, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, and the humanities, as required by graduate programs and professional schools, to meet the demands of professions in the life sciences.

The Environmental Studies Undergraduate Major is characterized by its focus on equitable, just, and sustainable environmental solutions. Environmental professionals who emerge from the program are generalists who can identify and synthesize the ecological, social, ethical, economic, technical, and behavioral dimensions of critical environmental problems. Using qualitative and quantitative problem-solving concepts, approaches, and tools, our students are prepared to synthesize and communicate appropriate environmental solutions.

Majors are typically involved in campus and community sustainability projects such as greenhouse gas assessment, water resource and sustainability assessment, climate action and sustainability planning, and urban restoration projects. The program engages actively in collaborations across the campus, locally, and internationally. The Major benefits by close association with the Geography Program, providing students access to training in the spatial analytical tools that can greatly leverage their expertise for careers as sustainability directors and environmental resource managers. The program also benefits from aggressive regional and state programs to promote environmental sustainability and social justice that make the San Francisco Bay Area a national hotspot for environmental careers.

The Art Department offers three programs of study in the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree. The Art History and Visual Studies concentration develops students’ skills in research, visual analysis, and argumentation, leading to a range of careers in the arts or to graduate study. The concentration in Studio Arts and the concentration in Design provide broad survey art and design practices in preparation for continued professional development or creative and design careers.

The Studio Arts Concentration is offered for students who want to develop a rigorous foundation in fine art practice. With an emphasis on 2D, 3D and emergent art media, students will gain a working knowledge of drawing, painting, digital media and photography. Following 2-3 semesters of study, faculty advisors work with students to design a coherent course of study, with focus in at least one area. Through hands-on studio courses, as well as art historical research, students will conclude their studies with a solo art exhibit and demonstrate a critical understanding of historical and contemporary art practice. (Intermediate and upper division courses in hands-on media are available to students pursing either the B.A. or the B.F.A. degrees.)

The College of Business and Economics, which offers the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) program, is committed to providing life-changing, quality business education to prepare students from diverse backgrounds to become successful business professionals and leaders. The B.S.B.A. program imparts students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the changing global business environment and to prepare students for success in their professional careers.

The B.S.B.A. major program is structured around a set of core courses enabling students to develop general business perspective and skills. Students are required to choose an area of specialization, i.e., concentration, corresponding to their desired career path. In addition, the program allows students flexibility to customize their specialization by choosing business elective courses. These electives may be chosen to further strengthen their preparation in their chosen concentration.

The undergraduate and the graduate programs in the College of Business and Economics are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB).

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. Many psychologists work primarily with people to understand how they think, respond to stress, learn and forget, develop into unique personalities, and interact with one another. Others study the behavior and nervous systems of animals in order to find general principles that apply across species. Psychologists apply their knowledge to do therapy and counseling, to improve practices in schools, prisons, and rehabilitation centers, and to enhance performance in industrial and business settings.

The B.S. programs are designed for more specialized purposes. The concentration in Industrial/Organizational Psychology provides preparation for careers related to business, with an emphasis on personnel management. The concentration in Ergonomics and Human Factors provides preparation for careers in the design of work environments to take account of human limitations and strengths, for example, the design of equipment (computers, aircraft, automobiles) or the design of industrial procedures.

The Master of Arts degree in History is designed to meet the varied needs and interests of students seeking an advanced degree in history. The program educates students in advanced skills in historical research, writing, interpretation and research, and provides opportunities for training in teaching and public history. Four areas of concentration permit students to plan their coursework to best suit their goals within the overall program requirements and the range of courses offered. The program includes graduate course offerings in historical research and historiography, a  portfolio course, reading seminars, graduate elective units, a scholarly practicum, and a culminating master’s experience. Elective units may be taken in other fields with the approval of the History Graduate Coordinator. The Master’s culminating experience may be a university thesis, examinations in major and minor fields, a public history project or a graduate teaching project, depending on the concentration chosen. Because the majority of students in the master’s program are employed full-time during the day, graduate courses are offered in the evening, usually on a one-night-a-week basis, in fall and spring semesters. This schedule allows students time to complete regular assignments, carry on research, and make regular progress toward the M.A. degree.

Kinesiology is the disciplinary study of physical activity and how it impacts individual and societal health and well-being.  The discipline explores physical activity from a wide range of cognate disciplines, including, but not limited to, biomechanics, physiology, history, psychology, sociology, philosophy, and pedagogy.  It involves areas of study that include sports performance, fitness leadership, sports medicine and related allied health professions, socio-cultural analysis of sport, sport and exercise psychology, physical education, and coaching.    

The BS in Kinesiology degree prepares students for careers in the fitness and exercise and allied health professions. Our mission is to prepare graduates who are knowledgeable, professional, and take a multidisciplinary approach to promoting physical activity.  The degree not only examines the theoretical underpinning of sport, exercise, fitness and health, but is committed to addressing the practical issues concerning coaching and instructing, exercise, fitness and sport. It also addresses prescription; programming and safety in promoting health and performance-related physical activity; and issues of social justice in and through sport. The diverse curriculum strives to be innovative and encourage creative thinking and practice.

This program is designed to prepare teachers and educational professionals advanced training and integrated competencies in the area of Curriculum and Instruction. The program is committed to the philosophy that teachers are dedicated to the academic achievement of all students in the T-K-12 arena and beyond. National, state and local documents are analyzed in coursework to promote inclusive and diverse instruction. Evidenced-based pedagogies, inquiry-based learning and social justice are examined through a critical lens. This 3-semester program caters to the working practitioner and classes are offered at convenient times. Students take a series of classes designed to prepare them to become creators and consumers of curriculum and implement an action-research project in an educational setting. This degree is intended for the T-K-12 teacher and other instructors.

The Department of Social Work offers graduate study leading to the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.). This program trains social workers for leadership and direct practice positions in social work and is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. The program has a multicultural focus, preparing graduates to work in both non-profit and public agencies and to be proficient in serving diverse populations in urban communities.

The mission of the California State University, East Bay Master of Social Work program is to graduate culturally responsive urban social workers in the areas of Children, Youth, and Families and Community Mental Health. Social work graduates are prepared to address individual, family, group, and community needs caused by inequalities of class and identity including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, caste, and other forms of social injustice. Advocacy and social change around these injustices form the core of the MSW program.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides a strong education in chemistry and biochemistry that prepares its students to function and thrive in our society. The department attempts to increase the problem solving and critical thinking skills of all students. Non-science students learn about the scientific and chemical aspects of everyday life that allow them to understand issues related to the environment, energy production, disease prevention, and nutrition. Students of the sciences learn the fundamentals of chemistry that control the interactions of elements and molecules. Chemistry majors receive extensive instruction in predicting chemical reactivity. Building on an understanding of mathematics and physics, chemistry majors receive a background in the major disciplines of chemistry including inorganic, analytical, organic, physical, and biochemistry. Students learn the protocols and techniques for working safely with chemicals. The department recognizes the importance of the pursuit of new knowledge in the development of skilled scientists and productive members of society, and encourages its students to participate in research projects and cooperative educational opportunities.

The Chemistry, B.A. degree prepares students for work as chemists in a variety of careers in industry or government. The Chemistry, Chemistry Education Concentration, B.A. program is designed for students interested in teaching at the high school level but also prepares graduates to work as chemists in industry or government.