Units required for Major: 46-50
Total units required for BA: 120
Program Description
With a Bachelor of Science 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; prospective majors should also consult the Psychology Department website for information on the supplemental application process.
Minimum Grade Requirement
PSYC 2, PSYC 8, PSYC 9, 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 | ||
Upper division GE/GR requirements, PSYC 121, any upper division Psychology courses and electives | ||
| Seniors | ||
Upper division GE/GR requirements, any upper division Psychology courses, Psychology specialized topics 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 1 | 3 |
| PSYC 4 | Navigating Psychology: The Major and Careers | 1 |
| PSYC 8 | Methods of Psychology 2 | 3 |
| PSYC 9 | Introductory Statistics for Psychology 2 | 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 | ||
| Program Evaluation | ||
| Behavioral Research Methods | ||
| Select one of the following biological processes courses: | 3 - 4 | |
| Foundations of Behavioral Neuroscience | ||
| Neuroscience | ||
| Animal Behavior | ||
| Drugs and Behavior | ||
| Evolutionary Psychology | ||
| 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 1 | ||
| Psychological Aspects of Aging | ||
| Psychology of Women | ||
| Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity | ||
| Psychology of Exceptional Children | ||
| Select 3 or more units from the following specialized topics courses: | 3 - 4 | |
| Controversial Issues in Psychology | ||
| Human Factors Psychology | ||
| Practicum in Community Psychology | ||
| Psychology of Happiness | ||
| Psychological Aspects of Health, Wellness, and Illness | ||
| Industrial Psychology | ||
| Special Topics Capstone: Advanced Study in Psychology | ||
| Clinical Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis | ||
| Cooperative Research | ||
| Advanced Research I | ||
| Advanced Research II | ||
| Prospects for Success: Peer Mentor | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
Select three or more additional upper division Psychology units from among courses numbered 100-199 which have not already been used to fulfill another requirement. | ||
| 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.
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
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Psychology, BS: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| PSYC 2 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHAD 30 | Human Development | 3 |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PSYC 8 | Methods of Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC 9 | Introductory Statistics for Psychology | 3 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ENGL 20 | College Composition II | 3 |
| PSYC 4 | Navigating Psychology: The Major and Careers | 1 |
| PSYC 100 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| GE Area 3A - Arts 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PSYC 121 | Methods and Statistics in Psychological Research | 3 |
| PSYC Individual/Social Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Human Diversity Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Cognitive/Learning Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSYC Methods Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Biological Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Individual/Social or Cognitive/Learning Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PSYC Individual/Social or Cognitive/Learning Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Specialized Topics 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSYC Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Total Units | 121 | |
Psychology, BS: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| PSYC 4 | Navigating Psychology: The Major and Careers | 1 |
| PSYC 100 | Cross-Cultural Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC Individual/Social Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Cognitive/Learning Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSYC 121 | Methods and Statistics in Psychological Research | 3 |
| PSYC Methods Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Biological Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Individual/Social or Cognitive/Learning Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| PSYC Individual/Social or Cognitive Learning Processes Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Human Diversity Elective 3 | 3 | |
| PSYC Specialized Topics 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| PSYC Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| Elective of Choice | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.