Psychology B.A. Program Requirements


Psychology B.A. ~ Program Requirements

Credits Required

Total credits: 120

Credits at CSUMB: 25

Credits in the major: 41

Lower-division requirements: PSY 100, PSY 200/200L, GE-certified statistics CSU-B Area B4

Outcomes, Courses and Assessment

To officially begin the major, complete the Lower Division Core and then enroll in PSY 300 where you will work with your professor to create an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). That ILP maps out how you will achieve each of the Major Learning Outcomes designed below by successfully completing the listed courses or alternative assessment options. You conclude the major by completing your Capstone, a publicly presented project that displays your cumulative learning in the major. Learn more at CSUMB.EDU/capstone.

The Psychology major adheres to the five recommended goals for "knowledge, skills and values consistent with the science and application of psychology" by the American Psychological Association Board of Educational Affairs.

Major Learning Outcomes
PSY MLO 1 Theory and Content of Psychology ~ Demonstrate familiarity with major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends. Outcomes include describing and applying psychology's concepts, language and theories, explaining its major perspectives and demonstrating understanding of its breadth and depth.

PSY MLO 2 Research Methods in Psychology ~ Understand and apply basic research methods, including research design, data analysis and interpretation. Outcomes include differentiating research methods, evaluating aptness of research conclusions, designing and conducting basic studies and generalizing research conclusions appropriately.

PSY MLO 3 Critical Thinking Skills in Psychology ~ Respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry and the scientific approach. Outcomes include using and engaging in critical thinking, using reasoning in arguments and persuasion and approaching problems with sophistication.

PSY MLO 4 Application of Psychology ~ By applying psychological training, the interdisciplinarity of the program becomes evident. Students understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social and organizational issues. Outcomes include identifying psychology's major applications, articulating how it can be used toward social understanding and public policy and recognizing the ethical complexities of applying psychology.

PSY MLO 5 Values in Psychology ~ The "Values" outcome also demonstrates the interdisciplinarity of the major, especially through its emphasis on ethics and respect for science. Students weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically and reflect other values underpinning psychology. Outcomes include understanding the need for ethical behavior, tolerance of ambiguity, demonstration of skepticism and intellectual curiosity, attunement to scientific evidence, civic responsibility and respect for human diversity.
Courses and Assessment

Complete the MLOs by fulfilling these cumulative requirements:

  • Major core courses (three total)
  • One 300-level course from each of the five areas of psychology, plus an additional elective course from one of these five areas (six courses total)
  • Biological Psychology (any course in series 310-319)
  • Clinical Psychology (any course in series 320-329)
  • Cognitive Psychology (any course in series 330-339)
  • Developmental Psychology (any course in series 340-349)
  • Social Psychology (any course in series 350-359)