Bachelor of Arts - BA in Social Sciences - Online California State University, San Bernardino - Online

Offered online through the College of Extended and Global Education

This program is designed for students who wish to teach social science subjects in California’s schools, middle school through high school, or who wish to build a unique BA in Social Sciences program that suits their interests and professional goals.

For those interested in teaching, in addition to this coursework, students will have to pass 2 California pre-credential exams in order to be admitted into a Teaching Credential Program, post-BA: the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), which encompasses knowledge and understanding primarily of history, but also economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology and the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) which is comprised of three subtests: basic math, reading, and writing skills for individuals planning a career in teaching.

The core discipline in the program is history, as that is the most widely taught social science subject in secondary schools. Students may choose an alternative core set of courses or discipline in consultation with an Advisor or the Program Coordinator.

Students also choose a second concentration in one of the other five disciplines: economics, geography, political science, psychology, or sociology.

Students interested in pursuing Teaching are encouraged to see their Social Science advisor early in their program for assistance in choosing courses.

For those with interests outside of teaching in multidisciplinary and individualized programs, this program is also designed for students with a varied set of academic and career interests. Students develop skills in areas that are deemed crucial in a wide array of contemporary professions: Globalism, Multiculturalism, and Intercultural Fluency, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Oral and Written Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, and Professionalism and Work Ethics. For students interested in the multidisciplinary and individualized programs, it is recommended that you first meet with an Academic Advisor in order to develop your program. All multidisciplinary and individualized programs must be approved by the BA in Social Sciences Coordinator.

Additionally, students looking to enhance their career prospects may elect to complete up to 6 units of SSCI 5750 Internship and 6 units of SSCI 5950 Independent Studies, for a total of 3-12 3 - 12 units, with the consent of the Program Coordinator.

California State University, San Bernardino is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in Inland Southern California. Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, the university serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually.

The ""value added"" by a CSUSB education ranks in the top 4 percent in the nation, according to the Collegiate Learning Assessment, a sequence of tests used by hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide that measure student learning in the freshman and then in the senior year. First-to-second year retention rates are third highest among all CSU campuses.

CSUSB reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire, and it has the second highest African American and Hispanic enrollments of all public universities in California. Seventy percent of those who graduate are the first in their families to do so.

The university offers more than 70 traditional baccalaureate and master's degree programs, education credential and certificate programs, and a doctoral program. In recent years, CSUSB added its first doctorate (educational leadership), engineering program (computer science and engineering) and M.F.A. programs in creative writing and studio art/design. Every CSUSB academic program that is eligible has earned national accreditation. The university also is home to the California Professor of the Year (Stuart Sumida).