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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 325: Biopsychology) 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: Drug 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: Human Factors & Environmental Design. 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 OLD Major

Downloadable .pdfs

The Major Contract Form
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 200 - Research Design (3 units)
· Psych 241 - Introductory Statistics (4 units)
· Psych 280 - Perspectives on Psychology (1 unit)

· Psych 321 - Biological Bases of Behavior
· Psych 322 - Learning and Motivation
· Psych 323 - Sensation and Perception
· Psych 324 - Cognitive Psychology

· Psych 311 - Human Development
· Psych 335 - Social Psychology
· Psych 337 - Personality Theory
· Psych 438 - Dynamics of Abnormal Behavior

· Psych 320 - Behavior Analysis *
· Psych 325 - Psychobiology *
· Psych 389 - Psychology Lab (1 unit)**
** This is offered with a variety of upper division Psych courses or the required laboratory with either

· Psych 403 - Social/Organizational Skills
· Psych 454 - Interviewing & Counseling Techniques
· Psych 457 - Group Dynamics

Nine units in Upper Division Psychology

· Psyc 485 - Senior Seminar
· Psyc 486 - History and Systems of Psychology
· Psyc 416 - Developmental and Comparative Psychology
· Psyc 480 - Selected Topics in Psychology
· Psyc 541 - Advanced Statistical Techniques
· Psyc 600 series - Advanced Seminars (IA)

Download the Minor Contract Form here as a .pdf 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

· Psych 321 - Biological Bases of Behavior
· Psych 322 - Learning and Motivation
· Psych 323 - Sensation and Perception
· Psych 324 - Cognitive Psychology

· Psych 311 - Human Development
· Psych 335 - Social Psychology
· Psych 337 - Personality Theory
· Psych 438 - Dynamics of Abnormal Behavior

Six units in Psychology to bring a total of 15 units overall with a minimum of 9 upper division units.