This interdisciplinary program provides an in-depth examination of human behavioral development from infancy through adolescence as a basis for developing new and applying existing knowledge. It provides an in-depth examination of cognitive, biological, and socio-emotional development from infancy through adolescence studied in multiple contexts.

The Art History Program offers personal attention from faculty and a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary training. Faculty teach the theory of art historical interpretation, the methodology of art historical research and writing, and specialized fields. These fields include the art and architecture of ancient Mediterranean societies, early and modern China, early and modern Islamic societies, early modern Italy, and Europe and America from 1750 to the present. Course of study also includes histories of photography, architecture and urban design, collecting, and museums.

Do you want to work abroad one day? A major in Chinese is the gateway to the world’s most widely spoken language and to the rich and diverse traditions of a complex society. By studying in small classes, you will develop competency in written and spoken Mandarin, even with no prior knowledge of Chinese. You can also further your knowledge of China's literary and cultural heritage through study abroad in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong. Majoring in Chinese will enable students to find enhanced opportunities in business, law, education, and governmental careers.

The Ph.D. program in education critically engages students in contemporary issues that impact education research, policy, and practice. The program focuses on five areas of emphasis: language, literacy and culture; learning and mind sciences; mathematics education; science and agriculture education; and school organization and educational policy.

The Master of Arts in Education provides a course of study for examining research and theory about learners, teachers, schools, and related social institutions. The program prepares professionals to conduct research about the education of children, youth, and adults in a multicultural society. Graduates may assume leadership positions in school districts, state education agencies, and private organizations concerned with instructional research, policy, and practice.

The School of Education offers credential/M.A. programs to prepare elementary teachers and secondary teachers in the following areas: agriculture and vocational agriculture specialist, English, mathematics, science, and social sciences. The program offers the bilingual authorization, which authorizes credential candidates to provide instruction in Spanish and English to students who are English language learners. During the first academic year students fulfill all requirements to receive their credential.

The Native American Studies Graduate Group’s interdisciplinary and hemispheric approach includes attention to the increasing diaspora of indigenous peoples throughout the Americas, and calls upon the authority of native intelligence to address the issues that concern native peoples. Topics of study include history; religion; philosophy; government; politics; society; and language and linguistics, as well as indigenous community development for autonomy and sovereignty; colonialism, racism, and self-determination; and ethnohistory. At both the M.A. and Ph.D.

During the last decade, the need for nutrition specialists in public health and maternal and child health programs has increased, along with the recognition that low birth weight, diabetes, and childhood overweight and obesity are important national health concerns. There is also an increasing demand for lactation specialists, as greater numbers of women choose to breast-feed their infants. In response, private and public health agencies have focused on improving the nutrition of mothers and children.

Students gain advanced knowledge of structural/theoretical linguistics, second language acquisition and development, bilingualism and multilingualism, and formal and descriptive linguistics. The program offers both a Ph.D. and a M.A. The Ph.D. program is supported by a wide array of faculty and encompasses numerous research areas.

Do you want to deeply explore the Chicano/Latino experience? Chicana/o Studies is an international, cross-disciplinary program of research, teaching and public service that provides students with the opportunity to study the experiences, values, cultural representations and socio-economic issues of the Chicano/Latino community. Knowledge of its theoretical and methodological framework also serves students seeking comparative analysis with other populations and global communities.

How is the twitch of a muscle fiber related to the silent explosion of a supernova? Every happening in the universe is linked at an atomic level by the principles of chemistry. Chemists analyze substances and test environmental samples. They create new substances, as in medical and product manufacturing, and test theories using chemical analysis. They also measure the properties of substances, like the strength of materials used in engineering.

Asian American studies introduces and expands on the Asian American experience for all students. Those in the major deeply explore culture, tradition, challenges and successes throughout a variety of Asian American communities. Accompanying the major is our internship program with the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies and the New Vietnam Studies Initiative, where students can participate in volunteer and research-based projects. Students completing the major leave with newfound knowledge and context of Asian experiences.

A major in studio art allows you to explore and expand your creative abilities, regardless of whether you plan a career as a professional artist. As an art student, you will develop and practice skills in problem-solving and cultivate your aesthetic sensitivity and visual awareness. These skills and traits will enrich your life, broaden your perspective and prepare you to succeed in any career requiring creativity and artistic sense.

How can we approach the increasingly complex visual world we find ourselves in today? Through the study of art history! Art historians study the changing visual expression of values, beliefs and experiences across diverse cultures and over time. The art history major provides training in historical, social and aesthetic understanding, critical thinking, scholarly research, and lucid, thoughtful analysis and writing. More than any other discipline, art history sharpens its students’ visual acuity and deepens their visual literacy.

Not sure what you want to study? No problem. Take advantage of our diverse academic offerings and flexibility to sample a variety of majors and career options before making up your mind.

Do you want to help people live longer, healthier lives? Nutrition scientists study the components of food that may hold the key to living longer, healthier lives. Students in the major also examine food availability and safety in less industrialized parts of the world. Nutritionists and nutrition scientists work in research lab settings, food companies, health systems, public health organizations, nutrition education programs and nutrition policy. In addition, nutritionists educate people in healthy food choices, helping them manage and potentially prevent common diseases.

Are you interested in the ways that culture, economics and technology affect agriculture? Do you want to build your skills and knowledge to help produce and distribute food to the people of emerging economies? Students in the international agricultural development major learn about how to improve food production, nutrition, marketing and health in less technically advanced countries. Students in this major are trained in technical and societal areas of agriculture that can be applied to the problems of world hunger and health. 

Are you interested in the ways that biology and the environment affect how people change, from birth through adulthood? Human development explores the developmental process in humans throughout the life cycle. Students in this major learn about the social, emotional and cognitive development of humans, all within the context of everyday lives, families and communities. The major emphasizes hands-on learning experiences.

Do you know where your next meal is coming from? Whatever you choose, it was probably grown, processed, delivered and prepared using techniques developed by food scientists and technologists. Food scientists help solve problems of producing and distributing food safely across broad geographical ranges and in varying climatic conditions. They also respond to market demands by creating food products that meet modern consumers’ needs for nutrition, taste and convenience.

Do you want to explore the relationships among the environment, law, policy, people and community planning? Students in the environmental policy analysis and planning (EPAP) major apply coursework in natural sciences to analyze environmental problems and formulate policy options and solutions. Issues of resource quality, pollution, energy use and recreational policy are all addressed by EPAP majors. Students gain skills in the growing areas of environmental impact assessment and geographic information systems.

How can we address the challenges of our increasingly high-tech world? The science and technology studies (STS) major unites the perspectives of the humanities and social sciences together with science, technology and medicine. STS students learn to think critically, explore controversies, create innovative and responsible solutions to urgent problems, and engage directly with the world-changing effects of scientific, medical and technological revolutions.

Are you interested in learning a foreign language that will give you a powerful career advantage? How about reading some of the greatest works of literature ever written? Knowledge of Russian opens up a wealth of professional opportunities, particularly in fields such as international relations, law, technology and governmental service. It is also one of the most widely spoken foreign languages in the greater Sacramento and San Francisco areas.

Why is religion a major force in the human experience? Religion is one of the major and most persistent expressions of human culture. Studying religion answers questions about why people believe what they do, why people fight wars about their beliefs but also seek peace and justice because of their beliefs. By immersing you in the diversity of the world’s religious traditions, religious studies prepares you for careers in medicine, law, public policy, government, academia and much more.

Are you fascinated by human behavior? Do you want to understand how to people think, feel, act and interact? Psychologists conduct studies to learn about what makes people the way they are — including their biology, environment and culture. This knowledge can be used to solve real-world problems in nearly every field, including business, counseling, teaching and technology, and help people who suffer from neuropsychiatric disorders or experience psychological distress.

Are you interested in how laws and regulations get made? Who influences public policy? It could be you! If you choose to major in Political Science: Public Service, your curriculum will help you focus specifically on how policy is formulated, implemented, evaluated and interpreted.