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OFFICE OF THE DEAN
ASC, Wing B, 223
Phone: (323) 343-5693
E-mail: nss@calstatela.edu
Website: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/nssd/

Administrators:

Dean: James P. Henderson
Associate Dean: Rennie B. Schoepflin
Fiscal/Administration: Donny Hua

The College of Natural and Social Sciences (NSS) includes more than over 200 outstanding and dedicated faculty who have won numerous Statewide Outstanding Professor Awards. Composed of fourteen different departments offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, the College curriculum embraces a range of subjects from A to Z (anthropology to zoology).

At the undergraduate level, the College is strongly committed to liberal arts and sciences with courses offered in all six blocks of the present General Education program. All of the courses in the American Institutions, Natural Science, and Quantitative Reasoning sections are taught by faculty in NSS. In addition, the College offers courses in the Humanities, Social Science, Lifelong Learning and Critical Thinking blocks of the GE program.

Faculty in Chicano Studies, the Korean American and Korean Studies Center, Latin American Studies, Pan African Studies, and Religious Studies combine with their counterparts in Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology to significantly promote the university goals of multiculturalism and diversity through teaching, curriculum development and service.

Students taking classes in NSS can choose majors leading to a liberal arts degree as well as degrees aimed at preparing for professions in law, medicine, teaching, and science. The Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Psychology work together in the highly successful Minority Biomedical Research Support Program (MBRS). The Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geography and Urban Analysis, and Geological Sciences work together in the federally funded CREST program that supports students pursuing careers in environmental sciences. The latter program represents a prime example of fruitful collaboration encouraged by the unique presence of both natural and social science disciplines in one college.

The Department of Political Science offers a Pre-legal Option in its major and a Prelaw minor for students interested in a legal career.
The Biology, Chemistry, Geology, History, Math, Physics, and Natural Science programs offer students a program for a single subject credential.The Department of Chicano Studies offers a multiple subject teaching option for students interested in a teaching career.

The College of Natural and Social Sciences houses several programs designed to facilitate collaboration between Cal State L.A. and other institutions. Bridges to the Future is a partnership with the Pasadena, Los Angeles and East Los Angeles community colleges to increase the transfer of minority students in the biomedical sciences disciplines at Cal State L.A. Bridges to the Ph.D. is a collaborative effort by Cal State L.A., UCLA, USC, and UCI aimed at increasing the number of minority students in Ph.D. programs in the fields of biomedical sciences and the CSU, Los Angeles Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation is a partnership with East Los Angeles College and Pasadena City College to increase graduation rates of underrepresented students in science, engineering and mathematics disciplines, to prepare for graduate school. Several projects sponsored by the Environmental Biology Faculty Group, including the Cal State L.A. Marine Biology Research Project, facilitate collaboration with scientists from the National Marine Fisheries Service to provide internships and learning projects for Cal State L.A. students interested in the study of biological, oceanographic and global change.

NSS also has a variety of programs and projects that facilitate collaboration between faculty in the biological, health and environmental sciences. In addition to the MBRS and CREST programs mentioned above, these include the Environmental Sciences Office, Center for Spatial Analysis and Remote Sensing (CSARS), the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC), and Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Mission Statement

The College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles is committed to programs of academic excellence in the fields of natural and social sciences that provide access and opportunity for our uniquely diverse student body. The College provides innovative degree programs leading to the baccalaureate and master’s degrees in an environment that encourages research participation by students and faculty. The College is committed to providing a broad educational experience for all university students, thereby enhancing their ability to contribute to society. Interaction among the natural sciences, social sciences and the community is an essential component of our programs.

Undergraduate Programs

The College of Natural and Social Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles is committed to programs of academic excellence that provide educational and research opportunities for our diverse student body. Faculty from sixteen departments and programs are dedicated to instruction, scholarship, and university and community service. In general education and undergraduate and graduate programs, the faculty support students in developing creative and critical thinking skills in preparation for careers or for admission to competitive graduate or professional programs in their respective disciplines. The College prides itself in the close interaction between faculty and students, and in its collaborative research environment that encourages student discovery. The College seeks to inspire in our students an appreciation for the biological, physical, and social aspects of our earth and a life-long commitment to improving the lives of its inhabitants.

Anthropology
B.A. , Minor 

Asian and Asian-American Studies
B.A. , Minor 

Biology
B.S. , Supplementary Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credential Option, Minor 

Biochemistry
(Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry)
B.S. in Biochemistry 

Chemistry
B.A. , B.S. , Supplementary Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credential Option
Chicano Studies
Minor 
Geography
B.A. in Geography , General Option, Geographic Information Systems Option, Urban Analysis Option, Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Sciences Geography emphasis Option, Minor , Certificate in Geographic Information Systems , B.S. Degree in Geology , Single Subject Science Credential Option, Minor 
History
B.A. , General Option, Teacher Preparation Single Subject Credential in Social Science Option, Minor , Minor in Labor and Working Class Studies , Minor in Religious Studies 
Latin American Studies
B.A. , Minor 
Mathematics
B.A. , General Mathematics Option, Pure Mathematics Option, Single Subject Teaching Traditional Option, Single Subject Teaching Blended Option, B.S., General Mathematics Option, Pure Mathematics Option, Applied Mathematics Option, Applied Mathematics/Computer Science Option, Single Subject Teaching Traditional Option, Supplementary Authorization for Single or Multiple Subject Teaching Credential Option, Subject Matter Authorization in Introductory Mathematics for Single or Multiple subject Teaching Credential Option, Minor 
Mexican American Studies
B.A. , General Program Option I, Mexican-American Studies Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option II , Blended Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option III, Elementary Subject Matter Teacher Preparation Option IV, Multiple Subject Credential Option, Minor in Central American Studies , Minor in Mesoamerican Studies 
Microbiology
(Department of Biological Sciences)
B.S. , Minor 
Natural Science
B.S. , Traditional Option, Biology Emphasis, Chemistry Emphasis, Geoscience Emphasis, Physics Emphasis; Blended Option, Biology Emphasis, Chemistry Emphasis, Geoscience Emphasis, Physics Emphasis, Single Subject Credential, Subject Matter Preparation Option
Pan African Studies
B.A. , Minor 
Physics
B.A. , B.S. in Physics , B.S. in Physics Option in Biophysics, Supplementary Authorization for Single Subject Teaching Credential Option, Minor in Physics 
Political Science
B.A. , General Option, Global Politics Option, Prelegal Option, Public Administration Option, General Minor , Global Politics Minor  , Prelegal Studies Minor , Public Administration Minor 
Psychology
B.A. , Minor 
Sociology
B.A. , General Option, Inequalities and Diversity Option, Law and Society Option, Minor , Minor in Law and Society , Minor in Social Gerontology 

Graduate and Postbaccalaureate Programs

Graduate Dean’s Office
ASC, Wing B, 223
Phone: (323) 343-2000
E-mail: nss@calstatela.edu
Website: http://www.calstatela.edu/academic/nssd/1GRAD_2ca.php

The College of Natural and Social Sciences offers fourteen master’s degree programs in the fields of natural and social sciences. These graduate programs prepare students for advanced study toward the Ph.D. degree and for careers as professionals in NSS disciplines, community college teaching, industry, and government. Please see below for listing of programs and visit our website for more information.

Nationally Accredited Programs:

Chemistry -
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Psychology (graduate) -
Association for Behavior Analysis: International
Public Administration (graduate) -
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
Master of Arts Degree in Anthropology provides training in five areas: culture theory, ethnography, archaeology, linguistics, and physical anthropology.

Master of Science Degree in Biology prepares students for biological research, doctoral study, and technical positions.

Master of Science Degree in Chemistry (also an option in Biochemistry) prepares students for employment in industry, teaching, or more advanced study toward the Ph.D. degree.

Master of Arts Degree in Geography prepares students for teaching at secondary and community college level, employment in government and private industry.

Master of Science Degree in Geological Sciences prepares students for professional employment in industry and government, teaching positions in community colleges, or advanced study toward the PhD degree. Two options are available: Geology and Environmental Hydrogeology.

Master of Arts Degree in History is designed for the attainment of a liberal education appropriate to careers in such professions as law, journalism, business, government service, and librarianship.

Master of Arts Degree in Latin American Studies provides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of one of the world’s major regions. The program prepares students to pursue careers in teaching, public service, nonprofit organizations, or commerce or to continue in Ph.D. programs in the social sciences.

Master of Science Degree in Mathematics prepares students for higher mathematical work in industry, business, government, and teaching.

Master of Arts Degree in Mexican American Studies Department of Chicano Studies prepares students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. or teach in community colleges.

Master of Science Degree in Physics prepares students for community college teaching, employment in industry, or further graduate study toward the doctorate in Physics.

Master of Arts Degree in Political Science emphasizes advanced studies for those interested in community college teaching or preparing for doctoral studies in political science.

Master of Science Degree in Public Administration (Department of Political Science) provides present and future public service employees the administrative skills and knowledge for personnel, financial, and coordination functions in public agencies.

Master of Arts Degree in Psychology is a rigorous mentor-based graduate program designed to develop research and conceptual skills for students whose primary interest is in continuing their education in a doctoral program. A key feature of the program is a close mentoring relationship with a faculty member who oversees the student’s progress toward his or her individual research goals.

Master of Science Degree in Psychology

Applied Behavior Analysis Option: Is designed to develop specialized professional competence in the application of behavior analysis to counseling, the education of normal children and the developmentally disabled.

Forensic Psychology Option: is designed for students whose primary interest is in working or studying in areas of psychology that intersect with the Criminal Justice system.

Marriage, Family Therapy Option: meets the educational requirements for state licensure as a Marriage, Family and Child Counselor as set forth by the State of California.  (Program suspended, 2011-2013)

Master of Arts Degree in Sociology prepares students for doctoral studies, teaching, or working in a professional capacity in governmental or private agencies.

Certificate Programs Offered:
Biotechnology

Geographic Information Systems
Pre-Health Professionals

Admission to the Master’s Degree Programs

The individual applies via CSUMentor for admission to the university and to the major department if necessary. The Admissions Office evaluates the CSUMentor application for minimum Title 5 criteria and sends the results to the major department. The academic department makes the final decision to admit the student to the graduate program.

College Rules and Regulations

In addition to University regulations, the College of Natural and Social Sciences has specific graduate regulations governing the following:

• Special Action Admission
• Eligibility of courses on probationary program
• Graduate Writing Proficiency Examination requirement
• Transfer credit on a master’s degree program
• Procedures for the master’s thesis
• Procedures for the comprehensive examination
• Changing option from comprehensive examination to thesis and vice versa
• Validation of expired courses on a master’s degree program

Please check with your major adviser or the Graduate Studies Office of the College for more information.

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