The Master of Science in Community Sustainability provides students with opportunities to engage in integrated and applied research and acquire professional skills.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below. Students may not be admitted to both the Master of Science degree in Community Sustainability and the Master of Science degree in Sustainable Tourism and Protected Area Management.
Admission
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree or comparable degree requirements from an educational institution. Relevant experience and strong academic backgrounds in the natural, physical, or social sciences are encouraged for applicants to the Master of Science in Community Sustainability. All applicants for admission are required to submit scores from the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination. Collateral courses may be required to overcome deficiencies in addition to the requirements for the master’s degree. Collateral course work will not count toward the master’s degree.
Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Community Sustainability
The student may elect either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). Plan A emphasizes integrated and applied research and is designed as the foundation for doctoral study. Plan B focuses on the acquisition of well-defined professional skills, appropriate for a terminal degree and for professional employment.
A minimum of 30 credits is required for the degree under Plan A and Plan B. The student’s program of study must be developed in cooperation with and approved by the student’s guidance committee and must include the requirements specified below.
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| Requirements for Plan A and Plan B |
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| 1. |
All of the following courses (9 credits): |
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CSUS |
800 |
Foundations of Community Sustainability I |
3 |
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CSUS |
801 |
Foundations of Community Sustainability II |
3 |
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CSUS |
802 |
Introduction to Interdisciplinary Inquiry |
3 |
| 2. |
A minimum of 12 credits in course work in a focus area selected in consultation with the student’s guidance committee. At least 6 credits of this focus area must be in Community Sustainability courses. |
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| Additional Requirements for Plan A |
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| 1. |
A minimum of 3 credits of quantitative or qualitative methods to be selected in consultation with the student’s guidance committee. |
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| 2. |
A minimum of 6 credits of Community Sustainability 899. |
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| 3. |
Completion and public defense of the master’s proposal and thesis. |
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| Additional Requirements for Plan B |
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| 1. |
A minimum of 3 credits of a techniques or skill-building course relevant to the student’s academic and career goals, to be selected in consultation with the student’s guidance committee. |
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An additional 3 credits in the identified focus area |
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A minimum of 3 credits in CSUS 898 Master's Professional Project that focuses on developing an independent professional or project experience appropriate to the student's academic and career goals. |
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| 4. |
Successful completion and public defense of the master’s professional project proposal and final paper based on the professional development project and its contribution to the student’s professional goals. |
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