Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Academic Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology, BA


The undergraduate degree, offered by the Department of Psychology , assures a broad coverage of the major areas of content and methods in psychology identified by the American Psychological Association as the backbone of a strong degree program. The goal of the breadth part of the degree requirements is to provide a strong background in general psychology. In addition, sufficient flexibility is offered through choices in fulfilling these requirements and through the electives so that students, in consultation with their advisors, can design a program of study which focuses on each student’s particular area of interest.

A carefully prepared multi-year program of study will ensure an appropriate sequencing of required courses (e.g., BIOL 21  or BIOL 65  is a prerequisite to PSYC 30 , STAT 95  is a prerequisite to PSYC 18  and PSYC 100W , PSYC 100W  is a prerequisite for PSYC 118 , PSYC 118  is also a pre- or co-prerequisite for PSYC 190 /PSYC 195 ). Use advisor’s expertise and the MyGPS planning tools for GE, SJSU Studies, and American Institutions course selection to ensure a strong foundation for future coursework. Seeking advising is especially important for those at risk for probation, those in the honors program, and those planning to go on to graduate school in psychology. The two and four-year planners give additional guidance in designing a particular program of study including suggestions about the order in which to take classes even if they are not governed by official prerequisite requirements. All of these materials as well as the extra coursework and other requirements for Departmental Honors are available on the department website or the department office.

Once declared as a psychology major, there are no minimum grade requirements for any particular course in the major other than a C- or better for the lower division statistics requirement, a C or better for PSYC 100W , and an overall 2.0 average across the courses in the major (i.e., a D- can “count” towards meeting psychology requirements even if it does not count towards General Education requirements).

The registration system may allow registration in a course prior to completion of the posted lower division prerequisite(s)-such enrollment neither removes the expectation for completion of the prerequisite prior to taking the course nor removes the prerequisite coursework from the students’ anticipated program of study. This is particularly relevant regarding BIOL 21 /BIOL 65  prior to PSYC 30  and PSYC 18  prior to PSYC 118 .

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 41
Major Preparation 3-4
Major Requirements 48
University Electives 27-28
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (27 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 12 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3 or B4 must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Note: Students who have completed the ADT Transfer degree (under SB 1440) for this major will have completed all lower division GE requirements and should follow the 60 unit guarantee roadmap. Meet with an advisor prior to registering for your first semester for the 60 unit roadmap or Specific questions.

Upper Division General Education (6 units)


Of the 9 units required by the university, 3 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6 unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ; 24 units) sequences satisfy the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see the course description for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education (2 units)


All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses 

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass both the SJSU Writing Skills Test (WST) and a 100W course. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found at Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .

A grade of C or better (C- not accepted) is required to meet graduation requirement.

Major Preparation (3-4 units)


Complete one course from:

Major Requirements (48 units)


Lower Division Core (12 units)


Psychology Electives (9 units)


In addition to any course with a Psychology or Statistics prefix not used elsewhere within the Psychology, BA major program, other courses that can be used as Psychology Elective units include: BIOL 129 , ENGR 120 GERO 114 , JS 161 , KIN 167 , PH 126 , PH 145 , POLS 177 , SOCI 145 .

  • Three units of upper or lower division psychology courses 3 unit(s)
  • Six units of upper division psychology courses 6 unit(s)
    PSYC 191  satisfies SJSU Studies Area S

University Electives (27-28 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)