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Overview Requirements Program Updates Progress Forms Frequently Asked Questions Advising |
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Requirements
The Psychology major provides a broad academic program that combines research skills with an understanding of the principles and theories of human behavior. Students complete 17-18 units of lower-division work in preparation for the major and a minimum of 33 units within the major itself.
Prerequisites to the Major (17-18 units)
Psychology students complete three foundation courses, one social science course, and a biological sciences course with a lab before beginning the Psychology major.
Foundations Of Psychology (10 units)
Psychology students take the three courses below to build a knowledge base necessary for upper-division Psychology courses.
- PSYC 2010 Introduction to Psychology, 3 units, or equivalent
- PSYC 2020 Introduction to Psychological Methods, 3 units, or equivalent
- MATH 1600 Statistics, 4 units, or equivalent
Social Sciences (3-4 units)
Psychology students take a minimum of one social science course to gain an understanding of the basic principles used to explain social behavior. Students are advised to select from the courses below:
- ANTH 2060 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology, 3 units, or equivalent
- COGS 2100 Introduction to Cognitive Studies, 3 units, or equivalent
- SOCL 1010 Introduction to Sociology, 3 units, or equivalent
- COMM 2011 Approaches to Human Communication, 4 units, or equivalent
Biological Sciences (4 units)
Psychology students take a minimum of one biological sciences course, accompanied by a lab, to gain an understanding of the basic principles and methodology of biology. Students are advised to select from the courses below:
- BIOL 1010 Principles of Biology, 3 units, and BIOL 1020Ð1029 Special Laboratory Studies, 1 unit, or equivalent
- ZOOL 1050 Introduction to Zoology, 4 units, or equivalent
The Psychology Major (33 unit minimum)
The major in Psychology requires a minimum of 9 units in Research Skills and a minimum of 24 units in the Science of Psychology.
Research Skills (9 units minimum)
Research Methods
An upper-division research methods course, accompanied by a lab, builds research skills and knowledge about statistical analysis. Students are advised to enroll in this course immediately after completing PSYC 2020.
- PSYC 3000 Experimental Methods and Design, 4 units with co-requisite
PSYC 3002 Experimental Methods and Design Laboratory, 0 units
Research Seminars
Research Seminars allow help students learn more about research strategies and techniques while conducting research on a topic of their own choosing. Two seminars are required, one of which must be at the 4000 level. Students are reminded to check course prerequisites when selecting courses in this section since each has a content course prerequisite (e.g., Introduction to Social Psychology) that must be completed prior to taking the seminar.
- PSYC 3405 Research Seminar in the Psychology of Perception, 2 units
- PSYC 3610 Applied Behavior Analysis Research Seminar, 2 units
- PSYC 3705 Research Seminar in Human Learning, 2 units
- PSYC 3800 Experimental Psychology Research Seminar, 2 units
- PSYC 4102 Research Seminar in Behavioral Neuroscience, 3 units (PSYC 4103 co-requisite)
- PSYC 4120 Human Development Research Seminar, 3 units (PSYC 4123 co-requisite)
- PSYC 4310 Research Seminar in Social Psychology, 3 units (PSYC 4313 co-requisite)
- PSYC 4410 Research Seminar in Cognitive Psychology, 3 units (PSYC 4411 co-requisite)
- PSYC 4725 Experimental Analysis of Behavior Research Seminar, 3 units (PSYC 4720 co-requisite)
The Science of Psychology (24 units minimum)
Upper-division courses focusing on a variety of topics with Psychology provide students with a broad perspective of the discipline. Psychology majors design their own program of 24 units, selecting a minimum of 3 units in each of the areas listed below and 9 units of electives.
Students are reminded to check course descriptions carefully when selecting 4000 level classes; enrollment may require completion of one or more prerequisites. Students wishing to substitute an alternate upper-division Psychology course in one of the areas below should consult an adviser in the Psychology Department for more information on the petition process.
- Fundamentals of Psychology
- Biological Bases of Psychology
- Principles of Human Behavior
- PSYC 3140 Human Development I: Childhood, 3 units
- PSYC 3240 Human Development II: Adolescence, 3 units
- PSYC 3310 Introduction to Social Psychology, 3 units
- PSYC 3320 Introduction to Personality, 3 units
- PSYC 3340 Human Development III: Adulthood and Aging, 3 units
- PSYC 4810 Intimate Relationships, 3 units
- Foundations of Applied Psychology
- Capstone Course
Electives (9 units minimum)
Psychology majors complete their academic work within the major by selective 9 units of electives. Any upper-division Psychology course can be used as an elective. This includes research seminars beyond the two required, courses not selected to met the minimum requirements in areas 1 through 5 of the Science of Psychology section, and all upper-division Psychology courses listed in the University Catalog. Students are reminded to check course descriptions carefully when selecting 4000 level classes; enrollment may require completion of one or more prerequisites.
Concentrations (Optional)
Concentrations are available for those with special interest in Developmental or Experimental Psychology. The Experimental Psychology Concentration is designed to provide students going on to Ph.D. programs with more intensive study in the research areas of the discipline. For students entering schools or professions focused on children, the Developmental Psychology Concentration offers more specialized training in that area. Requirements for both concentrations are shown in the University Catalog.
phone: (209) 667-3386 . fax: (209) 664-7067 . Email: mpetersen@stan.csustan.edu