Psychology stands at the intersection of the biological sciences and the humanities because of its study of mental processes, cognition, and behavior. To further understanding, psychology is involved in research with both animals and people. The psychologist is interested in how the brain and nervous system function, how perception evolves from sensation, how we learn and know, and what it is that motivates us.
Psychology covers the total life span to learn more about how individuals function in family, community and society. Psychologists want to learn what can go wrong in development, how it can be changed, and how to resolve organizational, personal, international, and family conflict. It is a dynamic field in which new knowledge leads to new understandings that grow out of a base in research. The hope is that these can be applied in practical situations in the lives of individuals.

Psychology graduates find positions in a wide range of programs such as those dealing with human abuse, homelessness, and crime. Typical positions include personnel managers, industrial psychologists, psychiatric aides, probation officers, mental health workers, drug abuse counselors, employment counselors, and space program researchers. Advanced degrees enlarge opportunities for basic research, licensing as clinical psychologists or marriage and family counselors, and as college and university instructors. Psychologists also work as consultants in government and industry, as well as in human resources, marketing, and business management.

• English proficiency: ENGL 1A, ESL 26 or equivalent.
• Mathematics proficiency: MATH 105 or equivalent.
A minimum of 90 units required to include:
• All General Education requirements
• PSYC 1 General Psychology (5 Units)
• Core courses (25 Units)
• Support courses (8 Units)
• Electives and other graduation requirements as appropriate.

NOTE: All courses pertaining to the major must be taken for a letter grade. In addition, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required in all Core and Support courses for the Degree.

AA = Associate in Arts Degree.

NOTE: Students having difficulty attaining an Associate in Arts Degree because of timing or availability of classes should consult with a counselor to submit a petition for course substitution.

Select any combination of the following to complete 25 units:
MATH 10 Elementary Statistics (5 Units)
PSYC 4 Introduction to Psychobiology (4 Units)
PSYC 10 Introduction to Social Research (4 Units)
PSYC 14 Childhood & Adolescence (4 Units)
PSYC 21 Psychology of Women: Sex & Gender Differences (4 Units)
PSYC 22 Psychology of Prejudice (4 Units)
PSYC 25 Introduction to Abnormal Psychology (4 Units)
PSYC 30 Social Psychology (4 Units)
PSYC 33 Introduction to the Concepts of Personality (4 Units)
PSYC 40 Human Development (4 Units)
PSYC 49 Human Sexuality (4 Units)
PSYC 50 Psychology of Crisis (5 Units)
PSYC 55 Psychology of Sports (4 Units)

ANTH 2A Cultural Anthropology (4 Units)
BIOL 10 General Biology: Basic Principles (5 Units)
or BIOL 14 Human Biology (5 Units)
HIST 4C History of Western Civilization III (4 Units)
or HIST 4CH Honors History of Western Civilization (4 Units)
or HIST 9 History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units)
or HIST 9H Honors History of Contemporary Europe (4 Units)
PHIL 4 Introduction to Philosophy (4 Units)
PSYC 34H Honors Institute Seminar in Psychology (1 Unit)
PSYC 35 Department Honors Projects in Psychology (1 Unit)
PSYC 36 Special Projects in Psychology (1 Unit)
SOC 40 Aspects of Marriage & Family (4 Units)
WMN 5 Introduction to Women's Studies (4 Units)

*Students may also use courses listed as “Core Courses” for Support courses.