Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is a comprehensive program that explores the human experience, including functions of the brain, social situations, and individual differences. Psychologists work in various industries related to human behavior, such as research, counseling, business, and education.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, students will be able to:

1. Knowledge Base in Psychology: Describe key concepts, principles, and themes in psychology, and apply psychological research and the scientific method to understand human behavior.
2. Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking: Use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena, demonstrate psychology information literacy, and engage in innovative thinking and problem-solving.
3. Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World: Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice, build interpersonal relationships, and adopt values that promote community and social responsibility.
4. Communication: Demonstrate effective writing and presentation skills for various purposes and audiences.
5. Professional Development: Apply psychological content and skills to career goals, exhibit self-efficacy and self-regulation, and refine project management and teamwork skills.

Program Requirements

The major includes 14 units of core curriculum, 18 units of basic courses, and 9 units of electives. Students must take PSY 200, PSY 305GW, PSY 371, and PSY 400 for a letter grade and achieve a grade of C or better in all four courses.

Core Curriculum (14 Units)

• PSY 200: General Psychology (3 units)
• PSY 303: Psychology: The Major and the Profession (online) (1 unit)
• PSY 371: Psychological Statistics (3 units)
• PSY 400: Introduction to Research in Psychology (3 units)
• PSY 305GW: Writing in Psychology - GWAR (3 units)
• PSY 690: Future Directions for Psychology Majors (online) (1 unit)

Basic Courses (18-21 Units)

Choose two courses from each of the following areas:

• Area 1: Basic Psychological Processes (6 units)
• Area 2: Psychological Development and Individual Differences (6-7 units)
• Area 3: Social, Cultural, Organizational, and Community Contexts (6-8 units)

Electives (9-12 Units)

Choose 3 elective courses from courses in Areas 1-3 not used to satisfy the Basic Course requirement and/or from additional upper-division psychology courses.

Complementary Studies

Bachelor of Arts students must complete at least 12 units of Complementary Studies from courses with a prefix other than PSY, and not cross-listed with PSY.

General Education Requirements

Students must complete the following General Education requirements:

• Oral Communication (3 units)
• Written English Communication (3 units)
• Critical Thinking (3 units)
• Physical Science (3 units)
• Life Science (3 units)
• Lab Science (1 unit)
• Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (3 units)
• Arts (3 units)
• Humanities (3 units)
• Social Sciences (3 units)
• US History (3 units)
• Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (3 units)
• Ethnic Studies (3 units)

Roadmaps

The university provides roadmaps for first-time students, transfer students, and SF State Scholars. These roadmaps outline the suggested course sequence for completing the degree in four years.

Transfer Student Information

Students transferring from other institutions should review the university's General Education requirements and transfer credit policies. The university accepts transfer credit from accredited institutions and provides a summary of completion of lower-division General Education units.

Academic Advising

Students are encouraged to seek academic advising from the Psychology department to ensure they are meeting the degree requirements and to discuss their career goals and interests.