Psychology (PSYC)

DEGREE
A.A. — Psychology

Required Program (units)
PSYC 300 General Principles (3)
PSYC 312 Biological Psychology (4)
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3)
PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (3)
PSYC 335 Research Methods in Psychology (3)

A minimum of 3 units from the following:
PSYC 340, PSYC 351, PSYC 354, PSYC 356, PSYC 358, PSYC 360, PSYC 368, PSYC 370/FCS 324, PSYC 372/ECE 312, PSYC 380, PSYC 495, PSYC 499
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED 19

This A.A. degree may be obtained by completion of the Required Program, plus General Education Requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total.

The psychology degree is designed to facilitate students' successful transfer to BA programs, completion of which prepares them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs. Psychologists with graduate degrees and professional certificates have a broad range of employment opportunities including, but not limited to, clinical practice, research, and teaching. Clinical psychologists work in a variety of settings and with a wide range of clients. Research psychologists work in a range of fields associated with the study of human behavior, including biomedical, sports psychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
- Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation
- Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes.
- Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
-Weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline.
- Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity.
-Develop insight into their own and others' behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement.
- Apply psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings.

DEGREE
A.A. — Psychology for Transfer     
This program is designed to provide a clearly articulated curricular track for students who wish to transfer to a CSU in Psychology and meets the requirements of the statewide transfer model curriculum. Additionally, this program will expose students to the core principles and practices of the field in order to build a foundation for their future personal, academic, or vocational paths. In addition to transfer, this foundation would be appropriate for entry into a variety of paraprofessional careers and careers in related fields.

NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS: Students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university to pursue a bachelor's degree in this major should meet with a counselor to confirm the courses required for lower division preparation in the major. Transfer institutions may vary in terms of the required preparation.

Career Opportunities: The Psychology degree is designed to facilitate students' successful transfer to four-year Psychology programs which prepare students for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs and for entry level positions in a variety of careers such as sales, marketing, teaching, and law enforcement. Psychologists with graduate degrees and professional certificates have a broad range of employment opportunities including, but not limited to, clinical practice, research, and teaching. Clinical psychologists work in a variety of settings and with a wide range of clients. Research psychologists work in a range of fields associated with the study of human behavior, including biomedical, sports psychology, and cognitive neuroscience.

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:
• differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge versus pseudoscience within the field of psychology.
• compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in psychology.
• define basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express it clearly when writing or speaking about psychology.
• evaluate psychological data, use the scientific method, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these to personal, community, and scientific problems.
• employ psychological principles that lay the foundation for life-long personal growth and development of interpersonal and social skills.
• demonstrate appropriate interpersonal and social skills in interactions with a diverse population using principles of equity, justice, and inclusion.

Course List
Required Program
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
PSYC 312 Biological Psychology 4
PSYC 320 Social Psychology 3
PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences 3
PSYC 335 Research Methods in Psychology 3
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
PSYC 351 Human Behavior (3)
PSYC 354 The Psychology of Family Life and Intimate Relationships in a Diverse Society (3)
PSYC 356 Human Sexuality (3)
PSYC 358 Principles of Interpersonal Relations (3)
PSYC 360 Psychology of Women (3)
PSYC 368 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)
PSYC 370 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
or FCS 324 Human Development: A Life Span (3)
PSYC 372 Child Development (3)
or ECE 312 Child Development (3)
Total Units: 19

Associate in Arts for Transfer Degree
The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Updated 12/5/11