Welcome

The Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) is one of the largest majors sought at CSUMB, because it encompasses a broad range of disciplines including psychology,history,sociology,economics,archaeology,anthropology, and geography/GIS. Our faculty are well-published experts in their field and provide a good student-to-teacher ratio that ensures students get the attention they need to have a successful career at CSUMB.

We provide a strong foundation in classic and modern social theory for all students, who then use their interdisciplinary training within their specific fields of study. Students often borrow from aligned disciplines, making SBS capstones some of the most unique approaches in undergraduate scholarship in the state.

If you are thinking of acquiring a degree in SBS, please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

SBS Updates:

Transfer Students

Transfering into the Social & Behavioral Sciences program? Check out our transfer student registration guide to get started selecting courses. You can also contact our division advisor at 831.582.4364.

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Mexico Summer Researh Program 2009

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Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

The Center offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS). The core curriculum and related courses present a thoughtfully planned set of learning pathways with faculty mentors acting as guides to the curriculum. The difference between SBSI's interdisciplinary format and the more traditional pathways available at other universities is an important one. The CSUMB approach encompasses all of the interrelated social and behavioral sciences while encouraging students to focus on their chosen career or graduate school objectives in one or more areas of the social and behavioral sciences.

Preparation for the Major

Interested first year and transfer students must petition to major in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. This involves preparing an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) which includes a tentative course of study and a statement of what the student expects to gain from that planned course of study. Until a faculty mentor/advocate has been selected or assigned and an ILP filed with the Center, students are matriculated as "candidates" for the major rather than as "majors." The Center has a full-time assessment specialist, a member of the faculty, whose task it is to keep students informed of academic progress toward fulfillment of their respective learning plans.

  • First-year students are expected to complete the Freshman ProSeminar which serves to introduce students to the SBSI major and the unique outcomes-based approach to teaching and learning at CSUMB
  • Second year students should complete SBS 200 which provides them with their initial introduction to the interdisciplinary nature of the SBS major.
  • Third year, and junior transfer students are each assigned an academic advisor-via SBSI 308-who provides guidance to them as they develop their ILPs. The ILP documents the primary learning outcomes that each student intends to achieve competency through specified Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) and University Learning Requirements (ULRs).
Posted on Aug 23, 2010 -