COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Mission/Purpose
The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences provides a framework in which the faculty
and students can cooperatively investigate human behavior in both individual and
social contexts. The fundamental approach of the college is that of the liberal arts, but
several of the programs have professional or pre-professional aspects. Interdisciplinary,
multicultural, and international perspectives are emphasized in the curricula, as are
methodological approaches appropriate to each discipline.
Undergraduate Studies
Encompassing a number of traditional and modern disciplines of the behavioral and
social sciences, the college offers the following undergraduate degrees.
(The numbers following the degrees and minors are used by this university to identify the
programs indicated. These numbers must be used on the application for admission,
registration forms, application for graduation, etc. )
Bachelor of Arts
Anthropology 22021
Economics 22041
Geography 22061
- History 22051
- Concentration in: Honors Program
- International Relations 22101
- Concentration in: Honors Program
Labor Studies 22993
Psychology 20011
Political Science 22071
Social Science (Interdisciplinary Studies) 22011
Sociology 22081
Urban Studies 22141
The college also provides an area of emphasis in the Liberal Studies Program (Area III)
and jointly offers the B.A. in American Studies with the College of Humanities.
In addition, the college offers the following minors which may be taken in conjunction
with any major.
African Area Studies
Asian Area Studies
Bisexual, Lesbian, and Gay Studies
Criminal Justice
Critical Social Thought
European Area Studies
Human Sexuality Studies
Latin American Area Studies
World Development Studies
The Center for Interdisciplinary Programs in the Behavioral and Social Sciences
The center has administrative responsibility for coordinating and supporting
interdisciplinary efforts within the college, including programs in Criminal Justice, Critical
Social Thought, Labor Studies, and Social Science.
Pre-MBA Program
The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, in cooperation with the College of
Business, offers a special program designed to prepare students for graduate study in
business. The program gives students strong advising support in selecting courses that
provide a foundation for MBA study. Structured around four Pre-MBA theme areas, the
program also provides rigorous academic training in the liberal arts. Special attention is
given to the selection of general education courses and the construction of
individualized programs to help students meet the admissions requirements of graduate
schools of business.
In order to complete the Pre-MBA program, a student must:
- complete a major in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences;
- complete the General Business minor in the School of Business;
- be a participant in the Pre-MBA program before completing 90 units of course work and meet with a Pre-MBA adviser at least once a semester.
Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, International Relations, Political Science,
Psychology, Social Science, Sociology, and Urban Studies participate in the Pre-MBA
program. Advising materials can be obtained from the College of Behavioral and Social
Sciences (HSS 359).
Computer Facilities
The BSS Computer Laboratory (HSS 383) and a satellite laboratory (PSY 329) provide
computer access for individual and class use, as well as software of particular relevance
to the behavioral and social sciences.
Specialized computer laboratories include the Economics Computer Laboratory (HSS
147), the International Relations Media Center (HSS 360A), and the Experimental
Psychology Laboratory (PSY 304), and provide hands-on experience in simulations,
experimentation, forecasting, and data analysis related to specific disciplines.
Specialized Resources and Facilities
Many other specialized resources and facilities are contained in the College of
Behavioral and Social Sciences, including:
- Center for Urban Anthropology coordinates research and teaching related to the study
of urban areas.
- Multidisciplinary Geographic Information Systems Center, Geography and Human
Environmental Studies, allows students and faculty to explore applications of GIS through
the processing and analysis of imagery from satellite photography. A separate
Cartography Laboratory also produces both manual and computer maps, charts, and
diagrams.
- Overseas Orientation and Training Program, International Relations, provides training and
orientation programs for professionals working in educational, business, and
governmental settings in the U.S. and Asia.
Graduate Studies
Graduate programs in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences cover a broad
range of professional and academic interests. There are literally thousands of potential
career applications available to graduates. Each program will provide information on
the admissions policies and career opportunities for its graduates, including the
experience of those working in the field, on request.
Applicants and candidates should realize the necessity of frequent contact with the
graduate major adviser and students should not undertake a program of study without
the express approval of a graduate major adviser. Because several graduate programs
in the college have application procedures which supplement those of the university,
applicants should contact the office of the program directly for information.
The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences offers the following graduate degrees:
(The numbers following the degrees and minors are used by this university to identify the
programs indicated. These numbers must be used on the application for admission,
registration forms, application for graduation, etc.)
Master of Arts
Anthropology 22021
- Economics 22041
- Concentration in: Applied Economics
- Geography 22061
- Concentration in: Resource Management and Environmental Planning
History 22051
International Relations 22101
Political Science 22071
- Psychology
- Concentrations in:
College Teaching 20012
Developmental Psychology 20091
Educational Psychology 08221
Physiological Psychology 20101
Psychological Research 20992
School Psychology 20013
Social Psychology 20051
Social Science: Interdisciplinary Studies 22011
Master of Public Administration 21021
Master of Science
- Psychology
- Concentrations in:
Clinical Psychology 20031
Industrial-Organizational Psychology 20081
Special Resources and Facilities
A broad variety of special resources and facilities are available within the College of
Behavioral and Social Sciences. These include major university centers described
elsewhere in this Bulletin, such as the Treganza Anthropology Museum, the BSS-
Geography Map Library, the Psychology Clinic, and the U.S.-Korea Institute, as well as
more specialized facilities, as described below.
- The Pre-Law Center, Political Science, provides advising and resource materials to
students interested in careers in law.
- The Cognitive Psychology Laboratory, Intercultural and Emotion Laboratory, Physiological
Psychology Laboratory, and Social Psychology Laboratory are among the specialized
facilities in the Psychology Department which provide instructional and research support
for students and faculty.
In addition, several departments in the college provide opportunities for research,
professional experience, career development, and student-faculty exchanges through
their sponsorship of student organizations; e.g., the History Students Association,
International Relations Student Association, La Raza Students in Psychology, and the
Sociology Club, and a number of journals are produced by students and faculty in the
college, including Urban Perspectives (Urban Studies), the Treganza Anthropology Papers
(Anthropology), Ex Post Facto (History), and the Journal of Homosexuality (Human
Sexuality Studies).