Psychology is a scientific field that primarily focuses on the study of behavior and mind. It involves investigating how we interact with one another and our environment. Psychology is practical; it is concerned with improving the quality of life. In order to achieve these ends, psychologists work in a broad range of research and applied settings.
The Department of Psychology offers a 41 unit Major and 21 unit Minor. The Psychology major is designed to provide each student with a comprehensive overview of the major fields of psychology, the methods used in psychological research, and the applications of psychological knowledge. The major is also designed to assist the student in selecting elective courses which can form a concentration in an area of each student's interest. These specialty areas might include clinical, social, developmental/child, industrial/organizational, learning/cognitive and biological psychology. The major provides a basis for careers in a variety of psychology related occupations including mental health agencies, hospitals, teaching, business and public organizations. The major also prepares students for graduate training in fields such as clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, teaching, social work, law, business management, and public administration.
Psychology is one of the most popular majors at CSUF. Once you have decided to major or minor in psychology be sure to see a Psychology Academic Advisor.
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Psychology Major (Fall 2024 and Beyond)
Lower Division Requirements (9 units)
PSYC 101 - Introductory Psychology (3) PSYC 201 - Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (3) PSYC 202 - Research Methods in Psychology (3)
Laboratory (2 units) PSYC 302L - Laboratory in Learning and Memory (2) PSYC 303L - Laboratory in Sensation and Perception (2) PSYC 304L - Laboratory in Comparative Animal Behavior (2) PSYC 305L - Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology (2) PSYC 306L - Laboratory in Biopsychology (2)
Diversity (3 units) AFAM 322 - Black Psychology (3) ASAM 346 - Asian American Psychology (3) PSYC 322 - Black Psychology (3) PSYC 324 - Cultural Psychology (3) PSYC 325 - The Psychology of Prejudice and Discrimination (3) PSYC 346 - Asian American Psychology (3) PSYC 456 - Psychological Study of LGBTQ Experiences (3)
Two of the Following Courses (6 units) PSYC 331 - Psychology of Personality (3) PSYC 341 - Psychological Disorders (3) PSYC 351 - Social Psychology (3) PSYC 361 - Developmental Psychology (3)
One of the Following Courses (3 units) PSYC 311 - Educational Psychology (3) PSYC 317 - Legal Psychology (3) PSYC 362 - Psychology of Aging (3) PSYC 391 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
Plus the following (6 units) PSYC 300 - Intermediate Research Methods and Statistics (3) PSYC 495 - Field Placement in Psychology (3)
Electives (6 units):
PSYC 300-499* (Excluding PSYC 494 and PSYC 495)
* A minimum of 3 units must be 400-level; any 400-level course from Diversity will satisfy this requirement.
Psychology Major (Before Fall 2024)
Lower Division Requirements (9 units)
PSYC 101 - Introductory Psychology (3) PSYC 201 - Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (3) PSYC 202 - Research Methods in Psychology (3)
Laboratory (2 units) PSYC 302L - Laboratory in Learning and Memory (2) PSYC 303L - Laboratory in Sensation and Perception (2) PSYC 304L - Laboratory in Comparative Animal Behavior (2) PSYC 305L - Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology (2) PSYC 306L - Laboratory in Biopsychology (2)
Two of the following (6 units) PSYC 331 - Personality Psychology (3) PSYC 341 - Psychological Disorders (3) PSYC 351 - Social Psychology (3) PSYC 361 - Developmental Psychology (3)
One of the following (3 units) PSYC 311 - Educational Psychology (3) PSYC 317 - Psychology and Law (3) PSYC 362 - Psychology of Aging (3) PSYC 391 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
Plus the following (6 units) PSYC 300 - Intermediate Research Methods and Statistics (3) PSYC 495 - Field Placement in Psychology (3)
Elective 300- and 400-Level Courses (9 units):
Two 300- or 400-level electives in Psychology (6) One 400-level elective.
Psychology Minor
Lower Division Requirements (9 units)
PSYC 101 Introductory Psychology (3) PSYC 201 Introduction to Statistics in Psychology (3)* PSYC 202 Research Methods in Psychology (3)**
Upper Division Requirements (6 units)
One of the Following Experiments Courses (3 units): PSYC 302 Learning and Memory (3) PSYC 303 Sensation and Perception (3) PSYC 304 Comparative Animal Behavior (3) PSYC 305 Cognitive Psychology (3)
One of the Following Courses (3 units): PSYC 331 Psychology of Personality (3) PSYC 341 Psychological Disorders (3) PSYC 351 Social Psychology (3) PSYC 361 Developmental Psychology (3)
Upper Division Electives (6 units):
Take 6 units of upper division psychology electives
* Students who complete PSYC201 or who have completed an articultated community college equivalent, take 6 units of upper-division psychology electives. Alternatively, students may substitue for PSYC 201 (CSUF SOCI303, KNES/PUBH349, ISDS 361B, MATH 338, or another course approved by the department) and then take 9 units of upper-division electives. ** Students who complete PSYC202 or who have completed an articulate community college equivalent take 6 units of upper-division psychology electives. Alternatively, students may substitute for PSYC202 (CSUF CAS301, MATH337, or another course approved by the department) and then take an additional 3 units of upper division electives in psychology.
Students who minor in Psychology can take an articulated course at a community college to fulfill PSYC 101, 201, and 202. Please refer to www.assist.org to determine the course equivalency
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Each course counted toward the minor must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher (overall GPA in PSYC must be 2.0 or higher).
