BA in Psychology
Admission to the BA in Psychology is currently suspended. This program will be replaced in Fall 2024 with the BS in Psychology, please contact the Department of Psychology for further information.
Units required for Major: 46-50
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
With a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, graduates can qualify for positions requiring an understanding of human behavior in public service, education, or business. The undergraduate Behavior Analysis Certificate qualifies students for positions requiring the application of behavior analysis in educational settings and health and human service agencies.
The Psychology program at Sacramento State is highly sought after and the undergraduate major is officially impacted. Students wishing to become Psychology majors must meet eligibility requirements before applying for admission to the program. It is highly recommended that interested students speak with a Psychology advisor as soon as possible.
Students interested in a Psychology major or minor should contact the Psychology Department in Amador Hall room 350.
Minimum Grade Requirement
Once admitted to the program, PSYC 2, PSYC 8, AND PSYC 121 must each be completed with a minimum grade of "C-" or better.
Coursework Sequencing
The Psychology Department strongly recommends that Psychology Majors sequence their courses in the following manner to provide them with an optimal learning experience:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Freshmen and Sophomores | ||
| Juniors | ||
| Seniors | ||
Upper division GE requirements, any upper division Psychology courses, Psychology capstone course and electives | ||
It is important to choose courses in the sequence outlined above. Otherwise, there could be a delay in completion of the major and graduation.
Note: Transfer students must take at least 15 units of Psychology courses in residence at Sacramento State; 12 of those units must be upper division.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Courses (13 Units) | ||
| PSYC 2 | Introductory Psychology 1,2 | 3 |
| CHAD 30 | Human Development | 3 |
| PSYC 4 | Navigating Psychology: The Major and Careers | 1 |
| PSYC 8 | Methods of Psychology 2 | 3 |
| PSYC 9 | Introductory Statistics for Psychology | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Courses (33-37 Units) | ||
| PSYC 100 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 121 | Methods and Statistics in Psychological Research 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following methods courses: 3 | 3 - 4 | |
| Advanced Methods and Statistics in Psychological Research | ||
| Psychological Testing and Measurement | ||
| Qualitative Research in Psychology | ||
| Behavioral Research Methods | ||
| Select one of the following biological processes courses: | 3 - 4 | |
| Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Neuroscience | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Drugs and Behavior | ||
| Select four courses, with at least one from Cognitive/Learning and one from Individual/Social Processes | 12 - 13 | |
| Cognitive and Learning Processes | ||
| Perception | ||
| Learning Theories | ||
| Motivation | ||
| Cognitive Psychology | ||
| Cognitive Neuroscience | ||
| Experimental Analysis of Behavior | ||
| Individual and Social Processes | ||
| Organizational Psychology | ||
| Personality Theories | ||
| Community Psychology | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Child Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Applied Behavior Analysis | ||
| Select one of the following human diversity courses: | 3 | |
| Psychology of Multicultural Groups | ||
| Psychological Aspects of Aging | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | ||
| Psychology of Exceptional Children | ||
| Select one of the following capstone courses: | 3 - 4 | |
| Controversial Issues in Psychology | ||
| Human Factors Psychology | ||
| Practicum in Community Psychology | ||
| Psychological Aspects of Health, Wellness, and Illness | ||
| Industrial Psychology | ||
| Special Topics Capstone: Advanced Study in Psychology | ||
PSYC 183 | ||
| Clinical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis | ||
| History and Systems of Psychology | ||
| Cooperative Research | ||
| Prospects for Success: Peer Mentor | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
Select one additional upper division Psychology course (numbered 100-199) | ||
| Total Units | 46-50 | |
- 1
Course also satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.
- 2
Must be completed with a minimum grade of "C-" or better.
- 3
Select PSYC 102 if planning to enter a graduate program in Psychology.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units) | ||
| A1 - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| A2 - Written Communication | 3 | |
| A3 - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (10 Units) | ||
| B1 - Physical Science | 3 | |
| B2 - Life Forms | 3 | |
| B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) | 1 | |
| B4 - Math Concepts | 3 | |
| B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. 3 | 0 | |
| Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units) | ||
| C1 - Arts | 3 | |
| C2 - Humanities | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course | 3 | |
| C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area D: The Individual and Society (6 Units) | ||
| Area D Course | 3 | |
| Area D Course 3 | 0 | |
| Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements. | 3 | |
| Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units) | ||
| Area E Course | 3 | |
| Area F: Ethnic Studies | ||
| Area F Course | ||
| Total Units | 40 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Department recommends ANTH 4, ENVS 11, or SOC 8 to meet Area A3.
- 3
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2 | 6 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html