The B.S. in Public Health program serves students who are interested in pursuing careers in public health. The program prepares students to plan, implement and evaluate health and human service programs and to work in the field of public health. Graduates of this program are employed by public and private health and human service agencies (city, county, state and national), hospitals, schools, corporations, and nonprofit and professional consulting organizations.

Program Mission

The mission of the CSUN Public Health program is to prepare professionals to:

- Identify and assess needs and assets of diverse communities.

- Plan, implement and evaluate programs.

- Apply analytic and research methodologies to public health practice.

- Serve as leaders and advocates in their community and profession.

- Provide solutions for current and future public health challenges.

- Collaborate across interdisciplinary and community sectors.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon degree completion, BSPH graduates will have the knowledge and skills to address the following nine Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH) Bachelor’s Public Health Domains:

1. Overview of Public Health: Address the history and philosophy of public health, as well as its core values, concepts and functions across the globe and in society.
2. Role and Importance of Data in Public Health: Address the basic concepts, methods and tools of public health data collection, use and analysis and why evidence-based approaches are an essential part of public health practice.
3. Identifying and Addressing Population Health Challenges: Address the concepts of population health and the basic processes, approaches and interventions that identify and address the major health-related needs and concerns of populations.
4. Human Health: Address the underlying science of human health and disease, including opportunities for promoting and protecting health across the life course.
5. Determinants of Health: Address the socioeconomic, behavioral, biological, environmental and other factors that impact human health and contribute to health disparities.
6. Project Implementation: Address the fundamental concepts and features of project implementation, including planning, assessment and evaluation.
7. Overview of the Health System: Address the fundamental characteristics and organizational structures of the U.S. health system, as well as the differences in systems in other countries.
8. Health Policy, Law, Ethics and Economics: Address the basic concepts of legal, ethical, economic and regulatory dimensions of health care and public health policy and the roles, influences and responsibilities of the different agencies and branches of government.
9. Health Communications: Address the basic concepts of public health-specific communication, including technical and professional writing and the use of mass media and electronic technology.

Notice: The Honors in Psychology program has been suspended as of Fall 2019.

The purpose of the Honors in Psychology program is to recognize and support the development of exceptional Psychology students. The Honors program allows students the opportunity to engage in advanced-level coursework to better prepare for graduate coursework and/or careers in the field of Psychology. Interested students should consult the Department of Psychology website for details and an application.

Admission to the Honors in Psychology program: granted by approval of the Department of Psychology Honors Committee.

The course of study and the requirements for the B.A. degree in Psychology provide an opportunity for students who (a) desire to extend their education in the liberal arts with an emphasis in psychology, (b) wish to prepare themselves for graduate work in psychology or (c) plan to enter one of several professional or occupational fields for which a substantial background in psychology is essential.

Student Learning Outcomes

SLO 1:  Knowledge Base in Psychology

Students should demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends and empirical findings to discuss how psychological principles apply to behavioral problems. Students completing foundation courses should demonstrate the breadth of their knowledge and application of psychological ideas to simple problems; students completing a baccalaureate degree should show depth in their knowledge and application of psychological concepts and frameworks to problems of greater complexity.

1. Describe key concepts, principles and overarching themes in psychology.
2. Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains.
3. Describe applications of psychology.

SLO 2: Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking

The skills in this domain involve the development of scientific reasoning and problem-solving, including effective research methods. Students completing foundation-level courses should learn basic skills and concepts in interpreting behavior, studying research and applying research design principles to drawing conclusions about psychological phenomena; students completing a baccalaureate degree should focus on theory use, as well as designing and executing research plans.

1. Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena.
2. Demonstrate psychology information literacy.
3. Engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem-solving.
4. Interpret, design and conduct basic psychological research.
5. Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific inquiry.

SLO 3: Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World

The skills in this domain involve the development of ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity. Students completing foundation-level courses should become familiar with the formal regulations that govern professional ethics in psychology and begin to embrace the values that will contribute to positive outcomes in work settings and in building a society responsive to multicultural and global concerns. Students completing a baccalaureate degree should have more direct opportunities to demonstrate adherence to professional values that will help them optimize their contributions and work effectively, even with those who do not share their heritage and traditions. This domain also promotes the adoption of personal and professional values that can strengthen community relationships and contributions.

1. Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice.
2. Build and enhance interpersonal relationships.
3. Adopt values that build community at local, national and global levels.

SLO 4: Communication

Students should demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal communication skills. Students completing foundation-level courses should write a cogent scientific argument, present information using a scientific approach, engage in discussion of psychological concepts, explain the ideas of others and express their own ideas with clarity. Students completing a baccalaureate degree should produce a research study or other psychological project, explain scientific results and present information to a professional audience. They should also develop flexible interpersonal approaches that optimize information exchange and relationship development.

1. Demonstrate effective writing for different purposes.
2. Exhibit effective presentation skills for different purposes.
3. Interact effectively with others.

SLO 5: Professional Development

The emphasis in this goal is on the application of psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills and career preparation. Foundation-level outcomes concentrate on the development of work habits and ethics to succeed in academic settings. The skills in this goal at the baccalaureate level refer to abilities that sharpen student readiness for post-baccalaureate employment, graduate school or professional school. These skills can be developed and refined both in traditional academic settings and in extracurricular involvement. In addition, career professionals can be enlisted to support occupational planning and pursuit. This emerging emphasis should not be construed as obligating psychology programs to obtain employment for their graduates, but instead as encouraging programs to optimize the competitiveness of their graduates for securing places in the workforce.

1. Apply psychological content and skills to career goals.
2. Exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation.
3. Refine project-management skills.
4. Enhance teamwork capacity.
5. Develop meaningful professional direction for life after graduation.

This option offers students an in-depth study of public law and the philosophies upon which our legal system is based. The option may be selected by students who wish to pursue a career in law or to prepare for careers in government, politics and public offices within public and nonprofit organizations or the private sector.

Student Learning Outcomes

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Political Science will provide the student with:

1. The basic concepts, theories, research methodology and empirical findings within the discipline of political science.
2. A knowledge of Western and non-Western political systems, processes, values and patterns of interaction among these systems.
3. An understanding of the political institutions through which public plans are formulated and implemented.
4. A working knowledge of research designs, measurement, computer-assisted data analyses, use of the Internet and the ability to interpret the result of using these tools.

This option offers a variety of courses in Public Policy and Management and allows students to form a thorough understanding of the political institutions through which public plans are formulated and implemented. The option may be selected by students who wish to prepare for careers in government, politics and public offices within public and nonprofit organizations or the private sector.

Student Learning Outcomes

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Political Science will provide the student with:

1. The basic concepts, theories, research methodology and empirical findings within the discipline of political science.
2. A knowledge of Western and non-Western political systems, processes, values and patterns of interaction among these systems.
3. An understanding of the political institutions through which public plans are formulated and implemented.
4. A working knowledge of research designs, measurement, computer-assisted data analyses, use of the Internet and the ability to interpret the result of using these tools.

This option offers a variety of courses in domestic and global politics and policy. The curriculum may be selected by students who (a) wish a liberal arts education; (b) who desire to pursue graduate education in political science or other fields, such as law; (c) who wish to enter government; or (d) who intend to teach in secondary schools.

Social Science Subject Matter Program for the Single Subject Credential

Political Science majors interested in teaching social studies at the middle school or high school level may combine their major program with the Single Subject Social Science Subject Matter Program to meet the requirements for entering a Single Subject Credential Program. View Social Science Subject Matter Program for Secondary School Teachers (.pdf) for more information. The Political Science department advisor also can provide assistance in coordinating the completion of both the major and the subject matter program simultaneously. See also the disclosure statement regarding Programs Leading to Licensure and Credentialing.

Student Learning Outcomes

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Political Science will provide the student with:

1. The basic concepts, theories, research methodology and empirical findings within the discipline of political science.
2. A knowledge of Western and non-Western political systems, processes, values and patterns of interaction among these systems.
3. An understanding of the political institutions through which public plans are formulated and implemented.
4. A working knowledge of research designs, measurement, computer-assisted data analyses, use of the Internet and the ability to interpret the result of using these tools.

The B.S. program in Physics is designed for students who desire to (1) pursue a career in physics-related research and development either in industry or government or (2) prepare for graduate work in physics or related subjects. The B.S. program in Physics has two options: Option I—Physics, and Option II—Astrophysics.

Option II specializes in applications of physics to astrophysical problems and may be tailored to be more experimental or theoretical in nature.

The B.S. program in Physics is designed for students who desire to (1) pursue a career in physics-related research and development either in industry or government or (2) prepare for graduate work in physics or related subjects. The B.S. program in Physics has two options: Option I—Physics, and Option II—Astrophysics.

Option I is a balanced program in experimental and theoretical physics. This option can be specialized toward applications in engineering or a more mathematical approach to theoretical physics. This is accomplished by the appropriate choice of the elective courses via consultation with the department undergraduate advisor.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Physics

Students will be able to:

1. Describe natural phenomena in general and in their chosen program option using principles of physics.

2. Scientific Methods

Students will be able to:

1. Set up laboratory experiments and collect data from observations and experiments.
2. Combine insights and techniques from the various courses in the program (integrate knowledge).
3. Derive quantitative predictions from a model through mathematical analysis.
4. Analyze data, provide error analysis, and test a model or hypothesis by comparing with data.
5. Competently use computer tools, including software programs for data analysis and presentation, numerical analysis, and computer simulations.

3. Communication

Students will be able to:

1. Convey physical concepts with mathematical expressions (quantitative literacy).
2. Clearly communicate physical concepts, findings, and interpretations through oral presentations (oral communication).
3. Write clear, organized and illustrated technical reports with proper references to previous work in the area (written communication).
4. Search for and read scientific literature (information literacy).

4. Responsibility and Ethics

Students will be able to:

1. Make unbiased and objective judgments of theories and experiments.
2. Maintain integrity in their research and adhere to ethical principles regarding plagiarism, data collection, and selective data sampling.
3. Give proper attribution.
4. Practice lab safety.

The B.A. program in Physics is designed for students who are seeking a broad foundation in physics as part of a liberal arts education in the arts and sciences. It is particularly appropriate for those students (1) seeking a secondary teaching career or (2) planning to combine physics with other disciplines, such as music, law, and business.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Physics

Students will be able to:

1. Describe natural phenomena in general and in their chosen program option using principles of physics.

2. Scientific Methods

Students will be able to:

1. Set up laboratory experiments and collect data from observations and experiments.
2. Combine insights and techniques from the various courses in the program (integrate knowledge).
3. Derive quantitative predictions from a model through mathematical analysis.
4. Analyze data, provide error analysis, and test a model or hypothesis by comparing with data.
5. Competently use computer tools, including software programs for data analysis and presentation, numerical analysis, and computer simulations.

3. Communication

Students will be able to:

1. Convey physical concepts with mathematical expressions (quantitative literacy).
2. Clearly communicate physical concepts, findings, and interpretations through oral presentations (oral communication).
3. Write clear, organized and illustrated technical reports with proper references to previous work in the area (written communication).
4. Search for and read scientific literature (information literacy).

4. Responsibility and Ethics

Students will be able to:

1. Make unbiased and objective judgments of theories and experiments.
2. Maintain integrity in their research and adhere to ethical principles regarding plagiarism, data collection, and selective data sampling.
3. Give proper attribution.
4. Practice lab safety.

The characteristic activity of philosophy, from its beginning to the present day, has been reasoned reflection about ourselves, our world, the good life and our relations with one another. Philosophy deals with issues of fundamental human importance—the scope and limits of human knowledge, the nature of reality and truth, what it means to be a person, the relation of mind to body, the sources of value and obligation, the evaluation of social institutions and practices, and the nature of logic and correct reasoning.

The Philosophy major is designed to acquaint students with the distinctive nature of the philosophical activity and to help them think critically about matters of fundamental philosophical concern.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. Develop a critical understanding of the work of central thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition.
2. Read and comprehend philosophical texts.
3. Respond critically and analytically to philosophical positions, arguments and methodologies, including positions, arguments and methodologies involved in the investigation of significant issues in epistemology, metaphysics and value theory.
4. Defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
5. Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly articulate philosophical positions and arguments.
6. Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly and effectively present and defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
7. Apply the basic concepts essential to a critical examination and evaluation of argumentative discourse, where this includes learning how to determine whether an argument is valid and whether it is sound.