Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Academic Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Developmental Psychology Concentration


View information for the Department of Psychology , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

The Developmental Psychology concentration is available to students earning the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology .

Psychology majors need not select a concentration. However, the concentration in Developmental Psychology provides an opportunity to study human developmental processes from a psychological perspective. The concentration prepares students for careers in such settings as child development centers, child welfare clinics, and related agencies. Moreover, it provides the academic background for those planning graduate work in Developmental Psychology and related fields. In addition to a firm grounding in basic psychology, the concentration extends psychological principles to various aspects of human development.

Requirements


1. Complete University General Education requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree.


(51 units minimum)

Click here to view General Education requirements. 

2. Foundations of Psychology:


(10 units)

Receive a passing letter grade or credit in all of the following prerequisites to the major:

Note:


Students are advised to complete these courses as soon as possible, since they are prerequisites to many upper-division psychology courses.

3. Social Sciences:


(3 units)

Receive a passing letter grade or credit in any one of the following courses in supporting fields:

4. Biological Sciences:


(4 units)

Receive a passing letter grade or credit in either of the following courses or course combinations in supporting fields:

5. Complete the major of at least 36 upper-division units, as described below and approved by the major adviser.


A passing letter grade of a D- or higher is required in most courses for the major. No minor is required. Students seeking an exemption from any of the requirements for the major should consult with their major advisers and file a petition with the chair of the Psychology Department.

The Major


(36 units minimum)

The major in Psychology with a Concentration in Developmental Psychology requires a minimum of 9 units in Research Skills and a minimum of 27 units in the Science of Psychology.

Research Skills


(9 units minimum)

A. Experimental Methods and Design


(4 units)

Receive a passing letter grade in PSYC 3000 Experimental Methods and Design (4 units).

Note:

Students are expected to take PSYC 3000 immediately after completing PSYC 2020 and MATH 1600.  These courses may not be taken concurrently with PSYC 3000.

B. Research Seminars


(5 units minimum)

Note: Check course prerequisites when selecting Research Seminars; enrollment requires completion of one or more prerequisites.

1. Receive a letter grade of C- or better in the Research Seminar below:

This is a WP course and must be taken after passing PSYC 3000; the courses may not be taken concurrently.  Students must pass the writing proficiency screening test (WPST) before they can be admitted to this WP course.

2. Receive a passing letter grade in one additional Research Seminar, selecting from the list below:

Seminars at the 4000 level are WP courses and must be taken after passing PSYC 3000; the courses may not be taken concurrently with PSYC 3000.  Students must pass the writing proficiency screening test (WPST) before they can be admitted to any WP course.

The Science of Psychology


(27 unit minimum)

Receive a passing letter grade (D- or higher) in 27 units of upper-division Psychology, selecting from areas C through F below. Courses may be taken on CR/NC basis only if letter grading is not offered. No more than 6 units of Credit-graded courses can be applied toward the major.

A minimum of 6 units each must be completed in areas C, D and E. A minimum of 9 units is required in area F. Coursework in Area G is not required, but is strongly recommended for students planning graduate work in Psychology. These students should also check prerequisites for admission to their graduate program(s) of choice when selecting courses for the undergraduate major. Fieldwork, internships, and cooperative education may together contribute no more than 3 units toward the major.

Note: Check course descriptions carefully when selecting classes; enrollment may require completion of one or more prerequisites.

D. Psychology as a Social Science


(6 units minimum)

G. Psychology as an Integrated Science


(0 unit minimum)

These courses are recommended for students planning graduate work in Psychology and those interested in developing more understanding of Psychology as an integrated discipline. Students entering doctoral programs after graduation are advised to complete History of Psychology and/or a Senior Honors Thesis. Students entering graduate programs (e.g., Counseling Psychology, Applied Behavior Analysis, or Clinical Psychology) should do appropriate fieldwork under advisement from a faculty member from that discipline.