Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Pre-Psychology)

at California State University - Fresno USA

The Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation offers three master’s degrees and one credential program for post-baccalaureate students seeking careers in the counseling and rehabilitation profession. All academic offerings utilize the services and facilities of community agencies and school districts within the university service area and throughout the Central Valley. Emphasis is placed on preparing highly trained, culturally competent, well-rounded professionals who are civic-minded in their service and leadership to clients and communities.

The Child and Family Science Department is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and families through education, research, and service. The department offers two degree options toward this end: (1) Child Development and (2) Family Science.

The department is housed in the Family and Food Sciences (FFS) Building on the west side of campus. The department maintains laboratory facilities that support our academic programs. These include a child and family observation lab and two child care labs serving infants, toddlers, and preschool children, where students study child behavior and development under the supervision of faculty and laboratory teaching staff.

Family Science Option. The Family Science program focuses on the scientific study of the family relationship context of child and adult development. Courses correspond with suggested content areas outlined by the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), including internal dynamics of families, interpersonal relationships, human growth and development, families in society, parent education, family resource management, family law and public policy, and family life education. Graduates pursue opportunities in family life education (e.g., parenting education and relationship enrichment), military family support, and child and family service agencies. It provides an excellent foundation for graduate training in family therapy.

The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Administration for individuals who are committed to the recreation and leisure services profession. The major in Recreation Administration prepares students with the knowledge, understanding, ability, and skill necessary to successfully function in professional positions related to the major.

Curriculum
Accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism, and Related Professions, the department offers a B.S. and a Minor in Recreation Administration.

Students in the recreation administration major complete a core of courses. These courses are designed to assist students in acquiring competencies related to the principles of recreation, leadership, group dynamics, and leisure behavior. Courses also cover legal and financial aspects of recreation service, advanced program planning, organization and administration of leisure services, evaluation, and professionalism.

Students develop specific skills in the areas of communication, human behavior, youth services, entrepreneurism, and adventure-based recreation and tourism, finance, management, marketing, funding, resources, program planning and supervision, and facility management.

Under the guidance of a practitioner, students in recreation administration are encouraged to acquire 1,000 hours of paid or voluntary hands-on experience in a variety of recreation, clinical, or leisure services agencies. In addition, they complete full-time internships with commercial recreation and tourism enterprises, public recreation agencies, nonprofit organizations, park-oriented agencies, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and other service organizations.

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.

A major in music is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching, performance, or music-related fields. It enhances their knowledge of the musical art and increases their sensitivity to the musical world around them.

The Department of Music provides the following:

• undergraduate instruction in music for those planning professional careers as performers, composers, and studio teachers, as well as those preparing for advanced degrees in performance and composition
• state-approved subject matter preparation required for a California teaching credential in music
• graduate education for students planning professional and academic careers or seeking professional growth as K-12 teachers or junior college instructors
• broad acquaintance with music for the community and non-music majors

Why study physics? Physics is a fundamental science that is the basis of all sciences, from chemistry, engineering, to medicine. What do physicists do? We ask questions such as what is matter made of? The answers we get from our theoretical models and experiments are applied to study microscopic and macroscopic properties of matter, to diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders, and to study the origin and evolution of the entire universe.

The Biology Department offers a research-intensive Master of Science in Biology with the opportunity for specialization in several areas of study. Among these areas are ecologically oriented field studies in fresh water, terrestrial, and marine environments; molecular, cellular, and developmental biology of plants, animals, and microbes; physiology of microbes, plants, and animals; entomology; microbiology; parasitology; botany; zoology; systematics; and animal behavior. The program also prepares candidates for teaching biological science disciplines at the secondary and community college education levels. The master's program provides a strong foundation for those seeking advanced education at universities offering the research doctorate (Ph.D.) or other professional degrees. The Biology Department has further informational materials available on request.

The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is intended for students who plan to pursue a career in biochemical research, chemistry research, and suitable for a student pursuing health professions (medical, pharmaceutical, dental, and other clinical and health professions). The B.S. program is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary program to prepare students for graduate study in pursuit of a Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in areas related to biochemistry.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department provides (1) undergraduate training in chemistry for students planning professional careers in chemistry, biochemistry and allied professions, and for those contemplating graduate work for advanced degrees; (2) undergraduate training in chemistry for those planning careers in professions such as medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, pharmacy, etc.; (3) participation in the preparation of teachers of chemistry and the other physical sciences in the teaching credential programs; (4) teaching of the basic chemical sciences required by students majoring in related fields such as physics, biology, nursing, engineering, geology, agriculture, home economics, and criminology; (5) stimulation of interest in and understanding of the achievements and contributions of chemistry to our civilization for non-science students, as a part of General Education; and (6) graduate instruction in chemistry for the Master of Science degree for students who intend to enter the chemical industry, pursue further advanced study, or who wish to improve their qualifications as teachers in secondary schools and community colleges. The multi-disciplinary forensic science degree program prepares students for continued success by integrating instruction with active forensic research, collaboration with local crime laboratories, and real world experiences.

The Department of Kinesiology offers advanced study designed to enhance professional competencies in pedagogy (M.A. in Kinesiology), exercise science (Exercise Science Option), sport administration (Sport Administration Option), and sport psychology (Sport Psychology Option). These offerings prepare students for more advanced degrees, applied research, and/or careers in clinical settings, teaching, administration, coaching, or the sport industry.

The Computer Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Computer engineering is a discipline which allows the student to obtain expertise in the design, programming, and applications of computers. It prepares the graduate for professional practice or graduate studies.

The program combines the following:
a. A strong emphasis on electrical engineering (primarily electronic circuits and systems)
b. A broad basis in mathematics, physical science, and general engineering
c. Fundamentals of computer science including programming methodology, software engineering, and operating systems
d. Introductory and advanced concepts in the design of computers and computer systems

A rich set of technical area courses is available to allow students to broaden their knowledge within any of several computer engineering areas.