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Social Science and Special Programs

The BA in Social Science is designed for students who have a broad interest in the behavioral and social sciences. The social science program includes the disciplines of anthropology, child development, economics, geography and planning, public health and health services administration, history, political science, psychology, sociology, social work, and multicultural and gender studies.

Social Science Options

The Option in Multidisciplinary Studies is a 45-unit major with representative courses from the disciplines within the social sciences and history. Its primary intent is to give students a solid liberal arts grounding in the social sciences. This option also prepares pre-credential students for the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET) in Social Science, a subject matter competency requirement for secondary teacher preparation programs.

The Option in Specialization Studies allows students the flexibility to create a personalized program within the behavioral and social sciences. It is a 45-unit major, which consists of 21 units from a selected primary area of concentration and 15 units from a selected secondary area of concentration. There are 21 areas of concentration (AoC) from which to choose. The AoCs include all of the disciplines found within the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, plus history. Areas of concentration also include area studies, and topical concentrations like career and life planning, environmental studies and family relations.

The program core consists of three required courses: SOSC 210 Survival Skills for a Digital Age, SOSC 300 Great Books and Ideas in the Social Sciences, and SOSC 495 Capstone Seminar. The capstone is also the social science required writing proficiency course. Both options are available online to off-campus students. The Option in Specialization Studies, however, is limited to a primary area of concentration in sociology and a secondary concentration in career and life planning.

Program Minors

The Minor in California Studies provides an integrated set of studies which will increase students' knowledge and understanding of California.

The Minor in Career and Life Planning provides students with skills in career guidance and occupational resources, and the educational requirement for national certification as a Career Development Facilitator. This is beneficial to those entering service professions.

The Minor in Family Relations provides students with a systematic, interdisciplinary approach to the family as an institution, the current state of knowledge relating to family relations, gender relations, and child socialization. This coursework is a valuable complement to studies in psychology, social work, sociology, and child development.

The Minor and Certificate in Gerontology gives the undergraduate an opportunity to learn about the critical issues related to older adults and their families.

  • The Minor and Certificate in Gerontology consists of an interdisciplinary cluster of courses, which enables students to effectively work with older adults and their families in a variety of settings.
  • Students pursuing a Certificate in Gerontology complete an internship (135 hours) to give them first-hand experience working with older adults and their families.
  • The minor/certificate in gerontology augments individuals pursing majors in social work, recreation, nursing, psychology, sociology, nutrition, and other helping professions to work with older adults and their families.

Master's Program

The MA in Social Science is a flexible interdisciplinary program which allows students to tailor a program to their specific academic or career goals, drawing on curricula from departments in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, as well as history, and other university programs. While possibilities are varied, some examples include focusing on higher education administration, cultural and gender studies, and career development counseling.

Catalog Cycle:21