Bachelor of Arts, Major in Design Studies

at San Jose State University USA

The Master of Science program gives students the opportunity to further their knowledge in foundational and applied topics, preparing them for advanced industrial or research positions. Students are expected to complete six graduate level courses, two electives, and two semesters of project work. Full-time students generally take two years to complete the program. The program is available to students with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related discipline. In order to ensure small class sizes and individual supervision of projects, the size of the program is limited and applications are competitive.

The Journalism and Mass Communications Department's Public Relations program is nationally recognized and the only degree program of its kind in Northern California. One of the largest PR programs in the United States, this dynamic program has been a consistent leader in preparing students for success in a wide variety of strategic communications careers.

Program Highlights

• The most comprehensive PR curriculum in Northern California.
• Rated one of the 'premier' programs in the U.S. in a national survey conducted by Marquette University.
• All majors are required to complete an internship providing an excellent foray into the field of Public Relations.
• The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is 100 percent wired for the Internet with student-friendly Mac and PC labs.
• Students in campaigns class plan public relations programs for actual clients, including Cisco Systems, Intel, American Cancer Society.
• One of the few programs in the nation to have course electives in Special Events Management and the Principles of Fund-Raising.

The MA in Science Education is a flexible program designed for prospective and practicing science teachers in K-12 instruction, science teaching assistants, community college instructors, as well as for people with interests in informal and outdoor education. The curriculum is designed to augment and broaden the candidate's knowledge of current advances in science education research and to examine best practices.

Qualified students who have earned a multiple or single subject credential at San José State University may apply up to 12 units of credential coursework, which included SCED 273 (3 units), toward the MA. Students who completed a California single subject credential somewhere besides SJSU may transfer 9 units of coursework from their credential to their Master's program. Students who transfer units into the program can complete the degree in two to four semesters. 

MS Physics, concentration in Modern Optics is offered by the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The students in this concentration receive instruction in fundamental areas of physics and gain experience and knowledge in a wide range of subjects related to Modern Optics. All candidates are required to complete a thesis including the defense (Plan A) or take an oral comprehensive examination as culminating experience (Plan B).

If you see your future career as a call to adventure, the International Business concentration may be for you. The concentration provides a broad base of business courses and additional coursework focused on global business. As a graduate, you will be well prepared for a career with a global business or organization. Your further marketability will depend on your personal characteristics, your life experience, and your academic performance in the International Business concentration. Employing companies or organizations then provide further training necessary for the job. An undergraduate degree in International Business is not a professional degree or one that targets a specific job. Rather, it is an excellent base on which to build.

Are you currently working in the area of tax and want to gain a greater understanding of the rules, improve your research skills, become a better tax planner or broaden your career opportunities? Or maybe you’re an accounting undergraduate or working professional in need of an additional 30 units to become a CPA.

Our Master of Science in Taxation is a unique and flexible program designed to serve both working tax professionals and those pursuing a new career in tax. For a quick overview of the advantage of earning an MST at SJSU, watch this short video.

Having “MST” after your name is a high distinction in the tax world. It indicates that you are well versed in the area of taxation, skilled at tax research and able to deal intelligently with the complexity of today’s tax rules. MST is a 30 unit program which allows you to enroll full-time and complete the degree in 12 months or part-time and be finished in 24­?36 months. Our classes are scheduled to work around the busy tax season.

The B.A. in Earth Science provides a broad background in the Earth Sciences. It is a path for students planning on teaching science in middle schools and high schools, or who are interested in interdisciplinary fields such as environmental and sustainability issues.

This degree provides a foundation for taking the relevant California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), which? is required by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) to verify subject matter competency in the Earth and Space Sciences. Students interested in becoming teachers must meet credential program standards and undergo screening for admission. See SJSU's Secondary Education homepage for information on application and admission to credential programs.

The MSE degree is an interdisciplinary program with the primary objectives of offering the practicing engineer the opportunity to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills needed to function in today's complex industrial environment.

The program is designed to provide flexibility for students who need coursework that is interdisciplinary and not available through the other engineering programs in the college. The MSE program typically includes courses from at least three different programs in the College of Engineering, and may also use courses in the College of Science or the College of Business.

Program Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Master’s of Science General Engineering Program will be able to:

• Evaluate and apply advanced engineering principles, methods, and tools to solving  problems or improving efficiency.
• Design and implement a component, system, or process to meet design specifications and objectives.
• Understand and advance the frontiers of emerging technologies.
• Understand the social, economic and political context of contemporary engineering practice and its ethics; understand the impact of engineering solutions on society and the environment.
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written forms.

Established over thirty years ago, the main objective of the Industrial Design Program is twofold: first, for students to understand the evolving needs of humanity; and second, for students to address those needs by giving form to solutions. Graduates will emerge from the program prepared to design sustainable solutions to world problems. They will be trained in designing for and from all perspectives and to take into account the diversity of human existence. In our program, students will get to put their concepts into practice from the convenience of our Seid Lab, funded by an alumni and holding the most cutting edge fabrication equipment, available strictly to Industrial Design students.

Our distinguished faculty recognizes that, to become impactful industrial designers, students must have a firm comprehension of all things related to the human experience. As such, the program takes full advantage of the university setting by collaborating with SJSU’s Anthropology, Business, and Engineering programs. Additionally, because of our ideal location at the center of Silicon Valley, guest speakers from local tech companies and design studios are often invited to give talks, as well as critique student work.

Industrial design is not just the design of objects that facilitate everyday living; it’s also the design around experiences and services. With the world in constant flux, we aspire to equip future industrial designers with essential tools—a balance of theory, skill, and practice—necessary to become global citizens and effect change throughout the world.

The Literature program offers students a solid grounding in literary genres, periods, and critical approaches to British, American, and World Literatures. Students are exposed to a wide range of canonical and non-canonical texts, and they learn to read closely and critically, and to write clearly and effectively. During their time at San Jose State, students will have an opportunity to develop and carry out research projects, and they will learn to locate, evaluate, and organize information effectively. Graduates of our program excel in close reading, critical thinking, and clear writing—all of which are crucial, marketable skills in today’s job markets.