The Department of Psychology offers a major program that gives students a choice of courses from many fields within psychology: clinical, developmental, educational, and social. Above and beyond offering students a wide selection, the psychology program encourages students to pursue advanced coursework by taking seminars and internships as a way of preparing them for graduate study in psychology – including an optional, selective, and accelerated B.A./M.A. track, and for the world of meaningful work. Students completing a major in psychology will acquire knowledge of the research process in psychology, will learn to apply their acquired knowledge of psychology to real-life situations, will be ready to pursue graduate work in psychology or related fields, and will be ready to perform effectively in entry-level positions/settings which require psychosocial and interpersonal skills.

Major Requirements for a B.A. in Psychology

General Education Requirements 57 to 58 credits

Electives

Dual Degree Program in Professional Counseling

General Education and Elective Requirements 57 to 58 credits

Undergraduate Electives

Required Graduate Courses

Dual Degree Program in School Counseling

General Education and Elective Requirements 57 to 58 credits

Note:

Undergraduate Electives

Required Graduate Courses

Minor Requirements, Psychology Track

PSY-0100 Basic Concepts in Psychology
An introductory course designed to make students aware of the diversity of the field of psychology and the ways in which human behavior can be studied. Goals, methods, and applications of the science of psychology in learning, language, thinking, perception, and the emotions are investigated. Prerequisite for all psychology courses. Offered fall and spring semesters. 3 credits. This course fulfills the Developing the Core/Social Science requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

PSY-H100 Honors Basic Psychology
In this course, students are introduced to the scientific study of behavior. Special attention is given to the biological, psychological, and social processes underlying human behavior. We will focus on the following areas: the goals of psychology and research methods, human development, learning and memory, biological basis of human behavior, personality, psychological disorders, psychotherapy, and human adjustment and coping behaviors. Emphasis will be placed on the applications of concepts to current issues. The course is designed to teach students how to learn independently, how to think critically and creatively, and how to communicate psychological ideas effectively. 3 credits.

PSY-0200 Developmental Psychology
A study of the development of the individual from infancy to old age with special emphasis on childhood. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall and spring semesters. 3 credits.

PSY-0210 Descriptive Statistics
An introduction to the concepts of descriptive statistics in the social sciences. Students learn to compute basic statistical analysis and discuss the application of the analysis to research in the social sciences. This course provides practical application of statistical principles and introduces the use of the computer for statistical analysis. Prerequisite: MAT-0115 or the equivalent. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0241 Cognition and Perception
A study of sensory, perceptual, intellectual, and linguistic processes that regulate how individuals experience, think about, and understand the world. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0250 Social and Interpersonal Psychology
A systematic study of the influence of the socialization process on the origin and development of the self, of the way an individual influences and is influenced by other persons, and of the way an individual thinks, feels, and behaves in social situations over time. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0260 Psychological Inquiry and Writing
The application of methods and techniques in the process of psychological inquiry. Special emphasis on conducting a literature search and mastering APA writing style. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. 3 credits.

PSY-0270 History of Psychology
A study of the origin and development of various areas of contemporary psychology. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. 1 credit.

PSY-0275 Psychology for Sustainability: Transformation of Self and World
The sustainability of human life on Earth in the future is in danger. The primary cause of all environmental problems is human behavior. These problems are not really problems of the environment, but are the result of a mismatch between the ways in which human beings fulfill their needs and the natural processes that maintain ecological integrity. As experts on human behavior, psychologists have the potential to serve a crucial role in halting our ecologically-destructive trajectory and promoting a sustainable future. This course will examine the connections between human behavior and its impact on the environment. It will address the need to promote environmentally responsible behaviors by applying cognitive and social theories to behaviors such as energy conservation, recycling, and material consumption. No prerequisite. 3 credits. This course fulfills Sustainability requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program.

PSY-H275 Psychology for Sustainability: Transformation of Self and World
The primary cause of all environmental problems is human behavior. These problems are not really problems of the environment, but are the result of a mismatch between the ways in which human beings fulfill their needs and the natural processes that maintain ecological integrity. This course will examine the connections between human behavior and its impact on the environment. It will address the need to promote environmentally responsible behaviors by applying cognitive, behavioral, and social theories to behaviors such as energy conservation, recycling, and material consumption. The course is designed to teach students how to learn independently, how to think critically and creatively about environmental issues, and how to apply information toward solving local and national environmental challenges. Expectations for reading, writing, and discussion are higher than in a non-Honors section of the same course. Prerequisite: Students must meet the UC qualifications for the Honors Program.  3 credits. This course fulfills either the Sustainability or Developing the Core/Social Science requirement in the Undergraduate College’s General Education program. 

PSY-0280 Inferential Statistics
A study of the theory and applications of inferential and correlation statistical techniques to data in the social sciences. This course provides practical application of statistical principles. Students work with computers and conduct research in social sciences. Prerequisite: PSY-0210. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0295 Industrial and Organizational Psychology
A study of the application of psychological theories and techniques to the work setting. Emphasis will be placed on the use of psychometric techniques in the selection and training of individuals in work settings as well as on the use of diagnostic instruments for the assessment of stress and motivation related problems. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. 3 credits.

PSY-0300 Personal Growth and Adjustment: A Humanistic Approach
An investigation of the characteristics and context that contribute to or interfere with the promotion of personal growth and growth of others. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0310 Psychological Evaluation
An introduction to the use of psychological evaluations in education and industrial settings and for counseling and guidance. Students will examine the potential and limitations of tests of intelligence, aptitude, achievement, interest, and personality. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered spring semester. 1 credit.

PSY-0320 Physiological Psychology
The study of the structure and function of the nervous system and its relation to emotion, cognition, and behavior. Special emphasis on neurological correlates of abnormal behavior. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered spring semester. 3 credits

PSY-0326 Research Methods
The investigation of qualitative and quantitative approaches to research and of strategies for establishing validity in descriptive, relational, and experimental design. Special emphasis on how to design, conduct, and present independent research projects according to APA guidelines. Prerequisite: PSY-0210, PSY-0260, and PSY-0280, and Junior or Senior Psychology major status. 3 credits.

PSY-0328 Psychopathology of Childhood
This course offers a clinical-developmental approach to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of social, emotional, and behavioral problems in children. Issues explored, include, but are not limited to, disorders of self-control, pervasive developmental disorders, development of aggressive and delinquent behavior, drug abuse, assessment of child pathology, therapeutic services, and prevention. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered every fall. 3 credits.

PSY-0330 Adolescent Psychology
A study of psychological theories of adolescence, together with an overview of adolescent development. The contemporary problems of adolescence are considered. Prerequisite: PSY-0200 or Permission of Instructor. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0340 Psychology of Personality
A study of leading personality theorists with an emphasis on normal personality development. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0361 Educational Psychology
A study of the principles of human learning and cognition as applied to the educational context. Consideration of effective instructional techniques and current research. Prerequisite: PSY-0200. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0366 Media Psychology
This course examines the impact of mass media such as television, books, magazines, movies, video, music, videogames, and marketing and advertising on individuals, groups, and subcultures with an emphasis on psychological theory and research. Issues explored will include, but are not limited to: how media information influences the way we think, the way we act, our attitudes, values, and beliefs about the world; how media shapes our use of leisure and work time, limits and expands our recreational outlets, and influences our sense of self and historical and cultural identity. Prerequisite: PSY-0100. Offered every spring. 3 credits.

PSY-0380 Abnormal Psychology
A study of selected theoretical formulations concerning the development and structure of abnormal reaction patterns. Supporting clinical and experimental data. Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Prerequisite: PSY-0340 or Permission of Instructor. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0405 Women and Psychology
A psychological analysis of the behavior and experience of women. Cultural, interpersonal, and intrapersonal determinants of women’s actions, thoughts, and feelings will be explored. Prerequisite: PSY-0100 and Junior or Senior Psychology major status. Offered fall semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0410 Theories of Counseling
A survey of the major theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Emphasis will be placed on the need for theories of counseling and their applications in dealing with human problems. Prerequisite: PSY-0100, PSY-0340, and PSY-0380. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0450 Seminar in Contemporary Readings
Readings and discussion aimed toward critical evaluation of current research and theory in psychology. Prerequisite: Senior Psychology major status or permission of instructor. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0460 Independent Study
The area of study is selected by the student. Prerequistite: Junior or Senior Psychology major status or consent of department. 1 to 3 credits.

PSY-0461 Internship
Individual placement in a social, psychological, or educational agency or institution. Minimum of eight hours per week with ongoing meetings on-campus with instructor. Prerequisite: permission of instructor and 3.000 GPA. Graded pass/fail. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.

PSY-0471 Senior Seminar
A seminar based on current psychological topics. Prerequisite: Senior Psychology major status. Must be taken with PSY-0461 Internship. Offered spring semester. 3 credits.