Certificate Programs

Certificate Programs

The College of Liberal Arts offers 12 academic programs leading to the award of a Certificate. Certificate programs normally require completion of 24 to 27 units of course work. Certificate programs differ from baccalaureate minors and degree programs in the special overall emphasis given in them to practical and applied uses of knowledge in a specific area of human enterprise. Certificates may be earned only concurrently or following award of the baccalaureate degree. Courses taken to fulfill the requirements for the baccalaureate may also be applied to Certificate requirements; only 15 units may be applied from graduate degree programs. You are to notify the relevant department of your intention to pursue the course of study as soon as possible so as to receive early advisement on the program.


 

Certificate in Africana Studies (code 1-8425)

Students majoring in other departments of the University but interested in Africana Studies may concurrently pursue this certificate. Courses used to meet the certificate requirement may, where applicable, also be used simultaneously to meet General Education requirements or the major and minor requirements of cooperating departments.

Requirements

  1. A major in another academic discipline. Certificate can be completed prior to or simultaneously with completion of the B.A. requirement.
  2. A minimum of 24 units of which at least 12 must be in upper-division courses, with two or more courses selected from each of the following:
    • Group A: AFRS 110, 154, 210, 325, 330, 332, 335, 370, 420
    • Group B: AFRS 160, 343A, 346, 363, 450
    • Group C. AFRS 120, 121, 200, 201, 304, 330, 337, 354, 400, 410, 454

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Certificate in American Indian Studies (code1-8000)

Students pursuing any approved degree or credential program of the University may at the same time earn a Certificate in American Indian Studies. Courses taken to meet the requirements may be used, where applicable, to meet General Education requirements or the degree or credential requirements of cooperating departments. Certification of successful completion of requirements will be issued upon the recommendation of the American Indian Studies Program Director.

Requirements

  1. A Bachelor’s degree with a major in a traditional discipline. (Certificate requirements may be completed prior to the completion of B.A. requirement).
  2. Submission of all college/university transcripts to the academic advising coordinator, who will work with the student to develop a well integrated program of studies. Interested students are strongly encouraged to meet with the academic advising coordinator after having completed the lower division core courses.
  3. A minimum of 24 units, distributed as follows.

Core Courses

Lower Division Core:

Take 9 units from the following courses:

  • AIS 101, 105, 106, 200, 215, 222.

Upper Division Core:

Take 15 units from the following courses:

  • AIS 300, 308, 319, 320, 335, 340, 400, 420, 485, 490, 497, 499

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Certificate in Asian Studies (code 1-8508)

A student may earn a Certificate in Asian Studies with a concentration on China, Japan, India, or Southeast Asia. Where applicable, courses used to meet the certificate requirements also may be used to satisfy the General Education requirement and the major and teaching minor requirements of the cooperating departments. Students may only pursue the certificate program in combination with a CSULB degree program.

Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree, with a major in a discipline other than Asian Studies. May be completed concurrently;
  2. A minimum of two semesters or its equivalent of an approved Asian language which is to be selected in accordance with the area of concentration;
  3. Take all of the following:
    • A/ST 306 Traditional Asia (3)

      Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, one or more Exploration courses, and upper-division standing.

    • A/ST 307 Modern Asia (3)

      Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirements, one or more Explorations courses, and upper-division standing.

Take 12 units of upper-division work divided among two or more disciplines. These are to be selected in accordance with the area of concentration and in consultation with the student’s advisor. No more than 6 units in any one discipline shall apply towards the Certificate.

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Certificate in Geographical Information Science

Co-Directors: Christopher Lee, Suzanne Wechsler

This certificate provides experience in quantitative spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems software, remotely sensed imagery and field-derived data, and effective communication through maps. The certificate serves as a supplement to standard degree programs. Further information on the GIScience Certificate is available from the program director or the Geography undergraduate advisor, and online at www.csulb.edu/geography.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid. Please see the department web site for required Federal disclosure information.

Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree, which may be earned concurrently.
  2. Consultation with the certificate advisor in the Geography Department.
  3. Satisfactory completion of prerequisites (9 units):
    • GEOG 200 Introduction to Research Methods for Geographers (3)

      Prerequisite: None

    • GEOG 280 Intro Geospatial Techniques (3)

      Prerequisite: None

    • GEOG 380 Map Interpretation and Analysis (3)

      Prerequisite: None

  4. A minimum of 23 units distributed as follows:

A. Core Courses. Take all the following courses:

  • GEOG 400 Geographical Analysis (4)

    Prerequisite: GEOG 200 or any introductory statistics course or consent of instructor.

  • GEOG 473 Remote Sensing (4)

    Prerequisites GEOG 200 (or equivalent) and GEOG 280 or consent of instructor.

  • GEOG 485/585 Principles of Geographic Information Science (4)

    Prerequisites: GEOG 200 or equivalent and GEOG 280; or consent of instructor.

B. Specialization (three courses):

Students are encouraged to select a specialization in one of the following three areas, although courses can be selected between categories with advisor approval.

  • Geographic Information Systems: GEOG 487A/587A, 487B/587B, 488/588
  • Remote Sensing: GEOG 474, 475
  • Cartography: GEOG 482, 484/584

The following courses may be substituted for the above courses with advisor consent: GEOG 481, 492, 494, 497, 697, 680. Substitutions may also be made for courses in database, computer programming, surveying and/or web design and visualization with approval from the Certificate Advisor.

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Certificate in Latin American Studies (code1-8090)

This certificate offers students, with a baccalaureate degree in any field, an opportunity to supplement their education with a focus on the interdisciplinary study of Latin America. Courses used to meet this certificate may be counted also, where applicable, toward General Education requirements, and the major or minor requirements of the cooperating departments. Recommended: successful completion of two college intermediate level courses in Spanish, Portuguese or any other language appropriate to concentration area of the equivalent fluency as determined by the program advisor.

Please be aware that this program is not eligible for Financial Aid unless pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Requirements

The following are the requirements for the Latin American Studies Certificate.

  1. 1. Consultation with the program advisor, including formal declaration of the Certificate, and application for graduation.
  2. 2. Completion of 24 units distributed as follows:

A. Core (required of all students).

Take one of the following:

  • LAS/HIST/SOC 161; SPAN 445

B. Electives. 21 units from the following courses, selected from at least two disciplines:

  • ANTH 323, 324, 345, 440*, 490*, 499*; AH 457C/557C, 458/558, 459/559 CHLS 352, 380, 395, 400, 420, 490*, 499*; CWL 440, 499*; ECON 490*, 499*; FEA 392C; HIST 362, 364, 366, 461, 462, 463, 466A, 466B, 466C, 490*, 495*, 498*; LAS 161/HIST 161/SOC 161; POSC 358, 359, 481, 497*, 499*, R/ST 467; SOC 341, 490*, 499; SPAN 341, 441, 442, 444, 445, 450, 490*, 492, 493*, 550.

*Special Topics and Independent Study courses in the area of Latin American Studies (including Short Term Study Abroad) must be approved by the advisor.

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Certificate in Legal Studies (code COLAT03)

This certificate is designed for students who are interested in the study of law as a cultural product and as a field of critical inquiry. It is not a professional program in para-legal education. The certificate may be earned in conjunction with any baccalaureate degree. Courses taken in the program may be used to satisfy major, minor, other credential or general education requirements. No more than 12 units, however, may be in the candidate’s major.

The Legal Studies Certificate may be earned concurrently with or following the award of the baccalaureate degree from CSULB or another accredited institution. Please be aware that this program is not eligible for Financial Aid unless pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Requirements

Twenty-four total units distributed as follows:

  1. Three units which must include one of the following: CRJU 350 Constitutional Criminal Procedure; HIST 308 Law and Civilization; HIST 479 US Constitution: Origins & Early Development; PHIL 352 Philosophy of Law; POSC 311 Constitutional Law: Powers; POSC 312 Constitutional Law: Rights.
  2. Twenty-one units selected from the Legal Studies Courses listed below. The courses taken in the program must be from a minimum of three departments. The selection of courses is made by the student in consultation with the adviser in the program.
  3. Optional Project Paper (3 units which can be included as part of the 21 units required). To be written during the senior year under the supervision of a faculty member participating in the program. The paper can be either an exploratory project (in which a subject is researched in a detailed and original manner) or an analytic effort (where fewer sources are used but the discussion of the material is developed more fully).

Legal Studies Courses

  • ASAM 346; AFRS 332; AIS 485; BLAW 220, 320/520; CHLS 362; CLSC 410; COMM 441; CRJU 301, 340, 350, 420, 430; ECON 355; HIST 308, 479, 480, 489; JOUR 430; PHIL 352, 451, 552; POSC 311, 312, 322, 376, 412, 414, 423, 424; PSY 495; SOC 342; SW 350; WGSS 308.

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Certificate in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
(code 1-6010)

Students may only pursue the certificate program in combination with a CSULB degree program.

Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree with an approved major. Certificate may be completed prior to the completion of the B.A. requirement or while in the process of working toward an advanced degree.
  2. Consultation and approval of the program with a faculty advisor.
  3. Intermediate level language proficiency on the college level, including a course in medieval or Renaissance literature of the language. It is expected that the language will be Anglo-Saxon, French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, or Spanish, but with consent of the advisor another language may be substituted.
  4. Twenty-four units selected from the following courses. Students should
    elect to concentrate in either the medieval or Renaissance period.

 

A. Required courses (12 units):

One of the following sequences for six units:

  • HIST 316, 317, or 317,332, or 332, 333.

One of the following literature courses for three units:

  • CWL 330A, 431, 432, 531, 532; ENGL 451, 452, 453, 552, 553, 554.

One of the following Art history courses for three units:

  • AH 408, 409, 410, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 508, 509, 510, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527.

B. Nine units selected from the following courses (without repeating the required core):

  • AH 408, 409, 410, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 470A, 470B, 497†, 498†; CWL 330A, 349†, 414, 422, 430, 431, 432, 449†; ENGL 363, 432, 451, 452, 453, 462, 463, 468, 469†, 489†, 498†; FREN 335, 470, 471, 472, 490†; GERM 398†, 415, 498†; GK 490†; HIST 316, 317, 318, 319, 332, 333, 334, 335, 351, 353, 400I, 431, 443, 495†, 499†; ITAL 335, 414, 473, 490†; LAT 490†; MUS 360, 400R, 400S; PHIL 413, 490†; POSC 493†, 497†; RGR 450; R/ST 314, 331, 471, 472, 490†; SPAN 330†, 400, 438, 446†, 450, 490†; THEA 221, 490†. Graduate courses: AH 508, 509, 510, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 570A, 570B, 597†, 598†; CWL 530, 531, 532, 549†, 550†; ENGL 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 562, 568, 583†, 652, 653, 681†, 683†; FREN 570, 571, 572, 590†, 688†; GERM 511†; HIST 510†, 531, 543, 590†, 611†, 631†; MUS 561, 600R, 600S; PHIL 513, 590†, 630†, 690†; R/ST 590†; SPAN 500, 538, 546†, 550, 590†; THEA 690†.

C. Three units of directed research on a medieval or Renaissance topic in any of the following courses:

Undergraduate Courses

  • AH 495, 496; CWL 499; ENGL 499; FREN 499; GERM 499; GK 499; HIST 498; ITAL 499; LAT 499; MUS 499; PHIL 499; POSC 499; R/ST 499; SPAN 499; THEA 498.

Graduate Courses

  • AH 595, 596; ENGL 598, 697; FREN 697; GERM 599, 697; HIST 695, 697; PHIL 697; POSC 599, 697; R/ST 697; SPAN 599; THEA 694.

†With an approved medieval or Renaissance topic; certain special studies topics may be repeated for credit with approval.

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Certificate in Peace and Social Justice Studies

This certificate is designed for students who are concerned about issues of peace and social justice in contemporary society. It is founded on the principle that peace requires not only the absence of violence but also the presence of justice.

This certificate can be earned in conjunction with any baccalaureate or graduate degree, can be earned through the General Education Pathway in Conflict & Peace Studies while simultaneously meeting all general education requirements.

Requirements

Twenty-four (24) units in a program approved by the Director of Peace Studies, to include the following:

1. Core Theory Course (3 units):

Take one of the following:

  • I/ST 317, POSC 371

2. Core Skills Course (3 units):

Take one of the following:

  • COMM 411, SW 491

3. Elective Courses (15 units):

Take at least one course from each of the following groups, and one additional course from any group.

  • Group A: Perspectives on Peace, Conflict, Violence, and War (3 units minimum):
    • ANTH 305; COMM 490; CRJU 101; HIST 304, 377, 495; I/ST 318, 355; POSC 220, 371, 455; PHIL 351; PSY 350
  • Group B: Laws, Rights, Responsibilities in Peace and Conflict (3 units minimum):
    • COMM 441; PHIL 352, 376; POSC 412
  • Group C: Culture, Race, Gender Influences on Peace and Conflict (3 units minimum):
    • ANTH 315, 311; AFRS 325; COMM 330, 412; HIST 309; LING 470; SOC 346; HIST 490F; WGSS 401, 430
  • Group D: Empowerment and Peace-Building (3 units minimum):
    • COMM 410, 421; CAFF 309 or FIN 309; EDP 434B; FEA 486; H SC 429; NRSG 481; PSY 336; SOC 427; SW 423

4. Peace Project (3 units, optional):

Students in the Certificate program only should complete three units of an independent study project during their senior year with any Peace Studies faculty. Students who are simultaneously completing the General Education pathway in Conflict & Peace Studies need to take an additional 300- or 400-level GE course from groups A, B, C. or D above to complete the 24 required units in this Certificate.

Exceptions or substitutions may be made only with the approval of the Director of the Peace Studies Program.

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Certificate in Religious Studies (Code R/STCT01)

Please be aware that this program is not eligible for Financial Aid unless pursued concurrently with a degree program.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree with a major in a traditional discipline. The Religious Studies Certificate is organized into four areas of study. Religious Texts examines texts from the world’s religious traditions and their historical and cultural contexts. Religious Traditions (Group A) includes coursework in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and Religious Traditions (Group B), coursework in Buddhism, the religions of Japan, the religions of South Asia, the religions of Southeast Asia, and indigenous religions. The fourth area of study is Religion in the Contemporary World.

A minimum of 24 units in Religious Studies:

Lower Division:

A minimum of six units selected from the following:

  • R/ST 100, 101, 111, 200, 201, 202, 208, 210, 230, 240

Upper Division:

A minimum of 18 upper-division units, with at least one course selected from each of the following four course areas:

  • Religious Texts:
    • R/ST 210, 311, 312, 318, 319, 320A, 320B, 322, 375, 376, 490*
  • Religious Traditions (Group A):
    • R/ST 230, 314, 315, 317, 331, 337, 383, 460, 467, 471, 472, 490*
  • Religious Traditions (Group B):
    • R/ST 341, 344, 351, 352, 353, 358, 490*
  • Religion in the Contemporary World:
    • R/ST 202, 208, 240, 301, 302, 308, 362, 383, 391, 402, 410, 457, 458, 490*

*When the subject matter of a special topics course is applicable, the course may be used.
Courses with a subject focus on religion that are offered by other departments can be articulated into the certificate (up to 6 units).

Note: Students admitted to the M.A. in Religious Studies who have deficient preparation in Religious Studies must take up to 24 units from undergraduate courses.

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Certificate Program in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (code 1-6050)

This certificate is open to students from any field who desire graduate level training for teaching English to speakers of other languages. While the program may be begun as an undergraduate, at least 18 units must be completed as a post-baccalaureate student.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid. Please see the department web site for required Federal disclosure information.

Prerequisites

  1. Baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 on last 60 units.
  2. LING 325 Modern English Grammar (3) (or equivalent)

Requirements

    1. 1. Twenty-four units, including:
      • 21 taken in residence;
      • 18 taken as a graduate student;
      • 12 taken at a 500-600 level.

NOTE: Categories (A-C) combined need only equal 24 units.

    1. A GPA of 3.0 in all courses included in the program.
    2. Fulfill the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR).
    3. One course in each of the following eight categories:

A. Language Acquisition:

      • LING 329 Introduction to Language Acquisition (3)

Prerequisites: None

B. Intermediate Level Linguistics. One course from:

      • LING 420 Phonology (3)

Prerequisites: LING 170 or ANTH 170 or consent of instructor.

      • LING 421 English Syntax (3)

Prerequisite: LING 170 or ANTH 170 or consent of instructor.

C. Cross-cultural Communication:

      • LING 425/ANTH 421 Education Across Cultures (3)

Prerequisites: None

D. Basic TESOL Methodology:

      • LING 486 Second Language Teaching Methods (3)

Prerequisites: ENGL 325 or consent of instructor.

E. Curriculum:

      • LING 561 Second Language Curriculum Development (3)

Prerequisite: LING 325 or consent of the instructor.

F. Testing and Assessment:

      • LING 562 Second Language Testing & Assessment (3)

Prerequisite: LING 325 or consent of the instructor.

G. Specialized Methodology. One course from:

      • LING 560 TESOL Composition (3)

Prerequisite: None.

      • LING 575 Literacy and Linguistics (3)

Prerequisite: Six units in linguistics or consent of instructor.

H. Practicum:

      • LING 593 Practicum in TESOL (3)

Prerequisite: LING 486.

Students who have taken equivalent courses in the above categories but need units to complete certificate requirements may elect to take courses as advised. Students wanting graduate credit for 400-level courses which have not been approved for graduate credit by the home department must consult with the Program Director or Graduate Advisor before enrolling. Courses with an “I” suffix are not available for graduate credit, but may be used for the Certificate if they were taken while the student was an undergraduate.

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Certificate Program in Technical and Professional Communication (code 1-6060)

The Department of English offers a Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication to students interested in careers in writing and editing. Application forms and advising materials may be obtained from the department office.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid. Please see the department web site for required Federal disclosure information.

Prerequisites

  1. Formal consultation with a faculty advisor in the Technical and Professional Communication (TPC) Certificate program;
  2. Submission of an application to enter the program, supported by transcripts;
  3. Upper division or post-baccalaureate standing at CSULB with a grade point average of at least 2.75 overall;
  4. Admission to a degree program in this university or possession of a degree from an accredited university;
  5. Successful completion of ENGL 317, Technical Communication, with a letter grade of “C” or higher.

Requirements

  1. A baccalaureate degree, which may be taken concurrently with the Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication;
  2. A minimum of 24 units in courses approved for the Certificate Program at this University, preferably completed within 10 years of the first credit granted toward the Certificate (consult an advisor concerning any transfer or extension credit that may be allowable);
  3. A letter grade of “C” or higher in every course in the Certificate program (a grade of “CR” is acceptable in no more than one course);
  4. Completion of a program of courses in Areas I through IV, developed in consultation with an advisor in the Technical and Professional Communication Certificate program, and approved by the Program Director and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts (or the Dean’s designee);
  5. Demonstrations (in or outside the program of courses) of competence in the use of computers and graphic media;
  6. Development of a portfolio of reports, written and edited by the student during enrollment in the Certificate program, for review and approval by faculty in the Technical and Professional Communication Certificate program (required for a grade in ENGL 492A/B, Area IV).

Course Requirements

For each of the following courses, TPC Certificate students have been granted enrollment rights equal to those of students majoring in the Department offering the course. Substitutions are possible, especially in more advanced courses, with approval by the Program Director.

Area I: Technical and Professional Writing (9 units):

Take all of the following:

    • ENGL 417 Proposal Writing (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.

    • ENGL 418 Manual Writing (3)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.

Take one of the following:

  • AH 447; ENGL 419; GEOL 420; IS 301; JOUR 316, 319B

Area II: Language Studies (4 units):

Take one of the following:

    • ENGL 320 English Grammar (4)

Prerequisite: None

    • ENGL 416 Technical Editing (4)

Prerequisite: GE Foundation requirements.

Area III: Electives from the following (minimum 8 units):

Analytical Reading:

  • COMM 301; ENGL 380, 423, 488; GEOG 380; HIST 400; NSCI 375; PHIL 381

Business/Professional Skills:

  • ACCT 201; BLAW 220; COMM 334, 335, 344; JOUR 370; MKTG 300, 330

Computer Applications:

  • CECS 174; JOUR 331; MGMT 426; NSCI 200; IS 300; SOC 260

Creative Writing:

  • ENGL 404, 405, 406, 407; FEA 304, 404; THEA 380

Intercultural Communication:

  • ANTH 412, 413; COMM 330; MKTG 480

Visual Communication:

  • ET 170; GEOG 200; JOUR 305; MAE 172

Area IV: Practical Writing (3 units):

  • ENGL 491 (1 or more units), ENGL 492A or 492B (2 or more units). No grade in ENGL 492 will be assigned without an approved portfolio, as indicated in Paragraph 6, General Requirements.

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Certificate in Urban Studies (code1-8120)

The Urban Studies Certificate, housed in the Department of Geography, takes an interdisciplinary approach. Students take a core of courses in Geography and take courses from one of two concentrations (Urban Theory and Practice or Applied Urban Geography). For further information, go to http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/cla/departments/geography/.

This certificate program is eligible for Financial Aid. Please see the department web site for required Federal disclosure information.

Requirements

    1. A bachelor’s degree, which may be earned concurrently.
    2. Consultation with the undergraduate advisor in the Geography Department.
    3. A minimum of 23 units distributed as follows:

Core requirements (6 units):

Take the following courses:

      • GEOG 301 The Urban Scene (3)

Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement, one or more Exploration courses, and upper division standing.

      • GEOG 464 Urban Geography (3)

Prerequisite: GEOG 100, 120, or 160 or consent of instructor; GEOG 360 recommended.

Concentration Requirement (minimum 17 units)

Choose One Option:

      • Concentration A – Applied Urban Geography: GEOG 446, 467, 485*, 487B; and one of the following: ASAM 435; CHLS 470, CAFF 322, 422; GEOG 471 or HCA 471.
      • Concentration B – Urban Theory and Practice: Take six of the following courses: GEOG 467, 468; HIST 469, 474; ANTH 416; POSC 327; CHLS 421; WGSS 432; DESN 367.

*Students must also take GEOG 280 before enrolling in this course. This course is a prerequisite and does not count toward the Certificate.

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