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.
