2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Nov 02, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Psychology Major


The psychology major is designed for students who desire to learn the fundamentals of behavioral science within the context of a traditional liberal arts education. Students receive a comprehensive exposure to the foundations of psychological theory and application, and are introduced to laboratory and field research. The psychology major prepares students for a wide variety of professional and business careers, and it provides the necessary foundation for graduate study in psychology or related disciplines.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will:

  • Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology
  • Respect and use critical thinking, skeptical inquiry and a scientific approach to understanding human behavior and psychological processes
  • Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation
  • Apply psychological theory, methodology and findings to develop a greater understanding of the whole person, as an individual and as a member of a large community, society, and culture
  • Be able to communicate psychological information effectively in a variety of formats
  • Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity

Major Requirements (48 units)


Note:


Students must obtain at least a “C” grade in each required course in the major. Courses that receive a grade of C- or below will not count toward the Psychology Major or Minor Programs. Students may retake no more than one course applied towards the Psychology major. The Pass-Fail option is not allowed for courses required by the Major or Minor.

Degree Planner


First-Year


Fall Units
Core - E: PSYC 101 - General Psychology    4
Core - A1: Public Speaking 4
RHET 110 - Written Communication I  (for most freshmen, non-transfer students; prerequisite for RHET 203  4
Language - Course 1 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Core - A2: RHET 203 - Writing in Psychology   4
Core - B1: PSYC 260 - Psychological Statistics   4
Language - Course 2 4
Core 4
Total Semester Units 16

Sophomore Year


Fall Units
PSYC 265 - Research Design    4
PSYC 270 - Biological Psychology   4
Language - Course 3 4
Core 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Psychology Breadth Course: PSYC 310 PSYC 312 PSYC 313 PSYC 318  or PSYC 319   4
Psychology Breadth Course: PSYC 310 PSYC 312 PSYC 313 PSYC 318  or PSYC 319  4
Core  4
Core 4
Total Semester Units 16

Junior Year


Fall Units
Psychology Diversity Course: PSYC 301 PSYC 302 PSYC 305 PSYC 306 PSYC 307 PSYC 316 PSYC 317 PSYC 331  or PSYC 335   4
Psychology Breadth Course: PSYC 310 PSYC 312 PSYC 313 PSYC 318  or PSYC 319   4
Core 4
Core 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
PSYC 387 - ART: Advanced Research Topics  or PSYC 388 - Advanced Research Methods  (ARM) 4
Core 4
General Elective 4
General Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

Senior Year


Fall Units
Psychology Upper Division Elective Course (any PSYC Course 300 & above) 4
General Elective 4
General Elective 4
General Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Psychology Upper Division Elective Course (any PSYC Course 300 & above) 4
General Elective 4
General Elective 4
General Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information. 

*Students must obtain at least a “C” grade in each required course in the major. Courses that receive a grade of C- or below will not count toward the Psychology Major or Minor Programs. Students may retake no more than one course applied towards the Psychology major. The Pass-Fail option is not allowed for courses required by the Major or Minor.