Psychology Major

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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)

Foundational (20 units - 5 courses)

Usually taken freshman and sophomore years.

Breadth (12 units - 3 courses)

Complete 3 courses from the following:

Psychology Diversity (4 units - 1 course)

Complete 1 course from the following:

Upper Division Electives (8 units - 2 courses)

Courses counted toward the Psychology Breadth or the Psychology Diversity requirement may not also be counted toward the Psychology Elective requirement.

PSYC 301 - Diversity Issues in Psychology
PSYC 302 - Psychology of Prejudice
PSYC 305 - Multicultural Psychology
PSYC 307 - Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC 309 - Careers in Psychology
PSYC 310 - Social Psychology
PSYC 312 - Child Development
PSYC 313 - Abnormal Psychology
PSYC 316 - African American Psychology
PSYC 317 - Asian American Psychology
PSYC 318 - Theories of Personality
PSYC 319 - Cognitive Psychology
PSYC 321 - Clinical Psychology
PSYC 322 - Health Psychology
PSYC 324 - Forensic Psychology
PSYC 325 - Family Psychology
PSYC 326 - Learning and Memory
PSYC 328 - Child Psychopathology
PSYC 331 - Psychology of Sexuality
PSYC 334 - Generation to Generation
PSYC 335 - Psychology of Gender
PSYC 339 - Adulthood and Aging
PSYC 350 - Perspectives in Psychology
PSYC 351 - Human Neuropsychology
PSYC 354 - Adolescent Development
PSYC 369 - Child Maltreatment
PSYC 390 - Gen to Gen:CommunityEngagement
PSYC 396 - Psychology Practicum
PSYC 396: Psychology Practicum is only offered for 4 units during the Spring and Fall, but, if offered during the summer, may be taken for 2, 3, or 4 units.
PSYC 399 - Directed Reading & Research

Advanced Research Methods (4 units - 1 course)

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.