Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies

at California State University - Fresno USA

The special option for the Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration provides an opportunity for students who are well grounded in the core areas of study required for the undergraduate degree in Business Administration to individualize a course of study not accommodated by any of the ten standard areas of specialization.

Audiology, speech-language pathology, deaf education and interpreting are concerned with many issues related to speech, healing, and language. Professionals in audiology and speech-language pathology ?elds are devoted to providing diagnostic, rehabilitative, and educational services to children and adults with communicative challenges. Professionals in deaf education and interpreting ?elds are devoted to providing educational services and community-related services to children and adults who communicate in American Sign Language and/or other communication modalities.

Bachelor of Arts
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Sciences provides the students with a liberal arts foundation integrated with courses designed to provide a basic understanding of speech, language, and hearing development and communicative problems. Students pursuing deaf studies have three options: deaf education, deaf studies, and sign language interpretation. Students majoring in deaf education and speech-language pathology can continue their options in our graduate program.

The Department of Finance and Business Law offers three options (areas of emphasis) within the Bachelor of Science in the Business Administration degree program.

The Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Option provides the background for a wide range of career opportunities in addition to residential and commercial real estate sales. These areas include development, lending, banking, appraising, escrow, property management, and construction. Usually students who enroll in the real estate option will complete all courses necessary to take the California Brokers License Examination.

The B.A. in Art History is designed to provide students with the communication skills, research techniques, and methods of critical inquiry that have become a vital part of contemporary life. Course offerings cover a wide range of topics in world art, encouraging students to become responsible citizens through an understanding of the aesthetic, cultural and ethical choices inherent in human development. Students successfully completing the B.A. in Art History are eligible to compete for admission to M.A. and Ph.D. programs and for entry-level positions in the art world and related fields.

The Master of Science in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling is a 60-unit professional degree program designed for persons who desire to practice in the field of counseling. The degree may qualify graduates for employment in private or agency counseling practices, county mental health programs, employee assistance programs, drug and alcohol abuse centers, and hospital mental health settings. Completion of the M.S. in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling fulfills the educational requirements for the state of California Marriage and Family Therapist License.

Students seeking licensure should contact their program advisor for information regarding licensing. This degree program is designed to meet the requirements of Division 2, Chapter 13, Section 4980.37 of the California Business and Professions Code. The MFCC degree is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Students are qualified to take the National  Counselor Exam upon graduation, which is used in the professional counselor licensing process in several states and leads to the National Certified Counselor Credential.

On October 11, 2009, the State of California approved a new mental health counseling license by adopting SB 788: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), which was sponsored by the American Counseling Association (ACA). It has been approved and signed into law by the Governor. At this time, all coursework required for the LPCC license is offered by the Counselor Education Program. Special advising is required to determine exact coursework and sequencing. This special advising coordinates acquisition of LPCC courses while a student is pursing one of the specific counseling degrees offered by the department.

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Plant Science is a 30-unit program designed to provide advanced studies and in-depth knowledge in the fundamentals of plant science, as well as experimental design, technical writing, and formal presentation of research. Coursework provides a broad understanding of crop production and physiology, and thesis research allows for specialization. Areas of specialization include agronomy, pomology, horticulture, weed science, entomology, plant pathology, soils and irrigation, and mechanized agriculture. Graduate courses are offered in the late afternoon or evening permitting students to earn a degree within two or three years when working closely with an adviser.

Mathematics and related subjects play important dual roles in our culture. On the one hand, mathematics is a study in its own right; on the other hand, it is an indispensable tool for expressing and understanding ideas in the sciences, engineering, and an increasing number of other fields. As a consequence, employment opportunities for mathematicians have been expanding in recent years. The courses offered by the department are designed to develop skills in, and an appreciation and understanding of, both roles.

Because there are so many different areas in which a trained mathematician can find employment or continue studies, the department offers a large number of electives within the mathematics major. By selecting appropriate courses, students have considerable flexibility to accommodate their individual interests. Students should consult with a department adviser for specific recommendations as to which electives are suited to their career paths.

Electives in statistics and probability provide a foundation for students planning to work as statisticians for industry or government agencies. They also can enhance employment opportunities in the bioscience and health-related fields. Statistics courses (in addition to MATH 75 [or 75A and B], 76, and 77) are essential for the first two Actuarial Examinations offered by the Society of Actuaries.

The B.A. in Interior Design allows students many unique opportunities in the field of design. The interior design major is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, formerly FIDER. Students use advanced computer-aided-design (CAD) and animation programs as well as traditional methods in developing sophisticated design solutions for a variety of architectural projects. Interior design students gain an excellent foundation in subjects such as color theory, space planning, presentation techniques, rendering, drawing, building systems and codes, and material and design for special populations. (Internship opportunities are available.)

The Master of Arts degree program in communication is designed to be a comprehensive program reflecting the history and breadth of the communication discipline. Four objectives serve as measures for competent M.A. graduates of the program. First, all graduates will have a comprehensive understanding of the historical and philosophical assumptions of the communication discipline, as well as the various theoretical perspectives underlying scholarship in the discipline. Second, all graduates will recognize and be able to use appropriate communication strategies in formal, informal, professional, and personal contexts. Third, all graduates will understand quantitative, qualitative, and/or rhetorical methods of research in communication. Fourth, all graduates will understand various communication perspectives and will have a clear understanding of their own personal perspective and ideologies.

The mission of the graduate program in chemistry is guided by the mission of the university; it seeks to provide comprehensive undergraduate and graduate degree instruction for qualified students, and to contribute to the needs and well being of the people of the San Joaquin Valley and California.

The California State University, Fresno graduate program in chemistry is primarily oriented toward two groups of students: students who are preparing themselves for employment in chemistry-based occupations (including teaching) and students interested in additional training in chemistry and biochemistry to prepare for advanced Ph.D. graduate work.

The degree program course requirements are rigorous, and the approach to an M.S. curriculum is a demanding one. However, as the quality of training in all of chemistry's subdivisions remains high, we perceive this diversity as the primary strength of the program.

For students in the first category, the program stresses strengthening the student's chemistry background while also providing advanced training in both theory and research - training that is very beneficial in today's competitive job market. Furthermore, the program also strives to meet local and regional needs for individuals with advanced training in chemistry and biochemistry, needs that are strongly tied to the agricultural nature of the valley.

For students in the second category, the program's emphasis on improving chemistry background and basic research skills prepares students for work at the Ph.D. level and enhances their chances for success.