Cal State Channel Islands (CSUCI) is expanding its academic offerings with new degree programs designed to connect students with emerging fields, community needs, and evolving career opportunities, the school said.

The new programs include bachelor degrees in Sustainable Agriculture, Black Studies, Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation, and Statistics, and a master’s in Psychology degree.

Together, they emphasize interdisciplinary study, applied learning, and preparation for careers in fields ranging from agriculture and data science to research, public policy and language services.

“These new programs reflect Cal State Channel Islands’ commitment to providing students with innovative and relevant educational opportunities that connect classroom learning with the needs of our region and the broader world,” said Susan Andrzejewski, interim president.

“By expanding our academic offerings across disciplines, students now have more pathways to discover their interests, develop meaningful skills, and prepare for their futures,” she said.

B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture: The interdisciplinary program, welcoming its first cohort in Fall 2027, combines natural and social sciences with hands-on learning, giving students a foundation in plant and soil science, pest management, agricultural policy, labor rights and food-system social movements.

The program is connected to the university’s Ventura County setting, where agriculture directly employs more than 25,000 people and represents a $2.1 billion industry.

Students will gain practical experience through fieldwork, laboratory courses, community partnerships and a required internship with local agricultural companies or organizations.

Through a collaboration with the University of California’s Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Camarillo, students will be able to raise crops in a farming practices course and work with bees in an apiary designed to accommodate up to 80 colonies.

The curriculum also addresses challenges facing regional agriculture, including water shortages, climate change, labor issues and emerging pests and pathogens.

Learn more at Sustainable Agriculture program.
 
B.A. and Minor in Black Studies: Focused on the histories, cultures and contributions of people of African descent around the world, the interdisciplinary program combines academic study with experiential and community-engaged learning.

Students will examine historical, economic, political and social forces shaping Black life while exploring contemporary theories of Blackness and questions of identity in a global context.

Students can engage in research, creative projects and public scholarship, with coursework incorporating film, media production, writing, podcasting and digital storytelling.

The program emphasizes intersectional and global perspectives, connecting race with gender, class, sexuality and nationality.

Potential career paths include law and public policy, media and journalism, education, business, nonprofit leadership and international relations.

Learn more at Black Studies.

B.A. in Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation: The first such degree in the California State University system, the program prepares bilingual students for translation and interpreting work in areas including healthcare, community services, media, gaming and global business.

Students will work on real-world projects while learning to use translation software and artificial intelligence tools, including machine-translation post-editing, quality control and professional practices related to privacy and ethics.

All upper-division major courses will be offered online, combining asynchronous coursework with live Zoom classes.

Students will also complete a professional-level capstone project that can form part of a career portfolio.

Learn more at Spanish-English Translation and Interpretation program.

B.S. in Statistics: Starting in the Fall 2027 semester, the program will prepare students to use mathematical and statistical reasoning to address complex, real-world problems.
 
B.S. in Statistics emphasizes mathematical modeling, computational methods and data-driven decision-making.

Students will develop skills in statistical programming, data visualization and predictive analytics, while learning to communicate findings through reports and digital media.

Program faculty members provide hands-on learning and face-to-face classroom and laboratory instruction. Opportunities for graduates in statistics are plentiful in Ventura County and the greater Los Angeles region.
 
Learn more here.
 
M.A. in Psychology: CSUCI is recruiting students for Fall 2027 for a new M.A. in Psychology. The program is designed for students interested in advanced psychological research, doctoral study or research-oriented careers.

Students will study psychological theory and advanced quantitative methods while developing skills for analyzing complex data and conducting evidence-based research.

The two-year program is in-person on CSUCI’s main campus.

While the program does not provide clinical training or prepare students for professional licensure, graduates may pursue doctoral programs, research and academic careers, and will be equipped for positions with public, nonprofit, government and business organizations.

Learn more about the M.A. in Psychology here.