Psychology B.A.*

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.

A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

1. Units and Residency  (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
2. Grade Point Average  (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
3. General Education  (minimum of 49 units)
4. Upper Division Writing Proficiency  (minimum of 3 units)
   - Pass the Writing Proficiency Screening Test (WPST)
   - Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
5. United States Constitution and California State and Local Government  (minimum of 3 units)
6. Multicultural Requirement  (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)

Subsequently all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor, department chair, and Director of Academic Advising. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree 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.

• PSYC 2010 - Introduction to Psychology

• or equivalent

• PSYC 2020 - Introduction to Psychological Methods

• or equivalent (approved substitutes include 

  SOCL 3030
    and
  CJ 3170
   )

• MATH 1600 - Statistics

• or equivalent (approved substitutes include MATH 1602 ,

  MATH 1610
   , and
  MATH 1620
   )

3. Social Sciences:

(3 units)

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

• ANTH 2060 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology

• or equivalent

• COGS 2100 - Introduction to Cognitive Studies

• or equivalent

• COMM 2011 - Introduction to Communication Studies

• or equivalent

• SOCL 1010 - Introduction to Sociology

• or equivalent

4. Biological Sciences:

(4 units)

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

• BIOL 1010 - Principles of Biology

• and

• BIOL 1020 - World of Biology Laboratory

• or equivalent

5. Complete the major of at least 33 upper-division units, as described below and approved by the major adviser.

A passing letter grade of D- or higher is required in most courses for the major. No minor or concentration 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.

Research Skills

(9 unit minimum)

The Science of Psychology

(24 unit minimum)

Receive a passing letter grade in 24 units of upper-division Psychology, selecting from areas C through F below. Courses may be taken on a 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. An additional 6 units of upper-division Psychology coursework will bring the total to 24 units. These are elective courses. Additional Research Seminars beyond the two required also may be used to meet the 24-unit minimum.

Coursework in Area F 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 may contribute no more than 3 units toward the major.

Note: Students are reminded to check course descriptions carefully when selecting classes; enrollment may require completion of one or more prerequisites.

Developmental Psychology Concentration

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.

To view concentration requirements, click here .

Experimental Psychology Concentration

The Experimental Psychology concentration is tailored for the undergraduate psychology major who intends to pursue graduate training in the area of experimental or clinical psychology. It provides a strong background in the area of statistics and experimental methodology, which are two areas required for admission by psychology graduate schools. In addition to methodology, the student is exposed to a greater breadth of content areas in the field of experimental psychology than is required by the major. Finally, the student is provided with technical skills that greatly enhance the ability to conduct independent research, a requirement of graduate programs.

To view concentration requirements, click here .