HSU Psychology Department

HUMBOLDT STATE UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Undergraduate Studies

The Psychology Undergraduate Major

Click here for information on the minor.

Psychology is a social and behavioral science that includes multiple disciplines. The course requirements for the major in psychology are designed to provide students with a broad understanding and perspective as to the major disciplines within the field, as well as familiarity with methods used by researchers in psychology to advance scientific knowledge.

The 45 units of core requirements provide a strong foundation from which students may go on to graduate school in psychology or a related discipline, or into jobs for which a degree in psychology provides a useful background. For students who are going on to graduate school, it is recommended that beginning in their junior year, students should begin to decide on the area of psychology or occupation within psychology they wish to pursue in graduate studies.

In collaboration with their advisor, it is recommended that students select electives or take additional courses that are important to your graduate plans. For example, for students who are thinking of going on for a career in experimental or biological psychology, additional courses related to these domains (for example, Psych 325L: Adv Behavorial Neuroscience) would be useful. Students who plan to pursue graduate training in clinical or counseling psychology should consider taking courses that deal with social and mental health issues (for example, Psych 433 Stress & Wellness, Psych 473: Substance Use & Abuse). Students who are interested in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O) should take courses such as Psych 404: Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and Psych 405: Environmental Psychology. Courses specific to various fields of graduate training, such as school psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology and others, can be recommended by faculty advisors.

Course Requirements for the Major
(For the former major, go here.)

Downloadable Forms

The Major Contract Form
One Page Course List
The Major Academic Plan (MAP)

Total Number of Psychology Units Required: 45
Lower Division Required (11 units) (recommended to take prior to upper division courses)

Psych 104 - Introduction to Psychology (3 units)
Psych 241 - Introductory Statistics (4 units)
Psych 242 - Research Design (4 units)

Upper Division Required (34 units)

Core Content Areas (18 units required; 19 units if Lab course taken from this area) Lab courses are marked with an "L" after the course number and can be taken from this section or the Breadth section.

Choose from the following:

PSYC 311 - Human Development or
PSYC 311L - Human Development with Lab

PSYC 321 - Intro Behavioral Neuroscience
PSYC 322 - Learning & Motivation
PSYC 323 - Sensation & Perception

PSYC 324 - Cognitive Psychology or
PSYC 324L - Cognitive Psychology with Lab

PSYC 335 - Social Psychology or
PSYC 335L - Social Psychology with Lab

PSYC 337 - Personality Theory & Research
PSYC 438 - Dynamics of Abnormal Behavior

Breadth Requirements(12 units required; 13 units if Lab course is taken from this area) Lab courses are marked with an "L" after the course number and can be taken from this section or the Core Content section. Course substitutions must be approved by advisor, Undergraduate Committee, and Department Chair.

Choose from the following:

PSYC 300 - Psychology of Women
PSYC 301 - Psychology of Creativity
PSYC 302 - Psychology of Prejudice
PSYC 303 - Family Relations in Contemporary Society
PSYC 309 - Thinking Consumer in Materialistic Society
PSYC 320L - Behavior Analysis
PSYC 325L - Adv Behavorial Neuroscience
PSYC 336 - Social Influence & Persuasion
PSYC 341 - Intermediate Statistics
PSYC 345L - Psychological Testing and Measurement
PSYC 400 - Health Psychology
PSYC 403 - Social/Organizational Skills
PSYC 404 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
PSYC 405 - Environmental Psychology
PSYC 406 - Forensic Psychology
PSYC 412 - Psychology of Infancy and Early Childhood
PSYC 414 - Psychology of Adolescence and Young Adulthood
PSYC 415 - Adult Development and Aging
PSYC 418 - Developmental Psychopathology
PSYC 433 - Stress and Wellness
PSYC 435 - Applied Social Psychology
PSYC 436 - Human Sexuality
PSYC 437 - Sexual Diversity
PSYC 454 - Interviewing & Counseling Techniques
PSYC 457 - Group Dynamics & Procedures
PSYC 473 - Substance Use & Abuse
PSYC 474 - Community Psychology Experience

Note: Only 3 units from this section may be applied to Breadth requirement:

PSYC 480 - Selected Topics in Psychology
PSYC 482 - Field Study
PSYC 495 - Research in Psychology
PSYC 496 - Psychology Research Seminar
PSYC 497 - Mentoring
PSYC 499 - Independent Study

Capstone Experience (3 units)

Choose from the following:

PSYC 480 - Selected Topics in Psychology
PSYC 485 - Senior Seminar
PSYC 486 - History & Systems of Psychology
PSYC 487 - Evolutionary Psychology
PSYC 495/499 - Taken as Senior Honors Thesis
PSYC 541 - Advanced Statistical Techniques
PSYC 600 - series Advanced Seminars (IA; course must be listed as meeting capstone requirement)

The Psychology Undergraduate Minor

Download the Minor Contract Form here as an Excel file.

Students who wish to obtain their BA degree with a Minor in Psychology are required to take 15 units of Psychology courses, with 9 of these units from upper division courses. At least 3 units must be completed at Humboldt.

Introductory Phase (3 units)

Psyc 104 - Introduction to Psychology

Core Areas (6 units)

Two courses from this area in the approved major courses.
Upper Division Breadth (6 units)

Two courses from this area in the approved major courses.