Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology, BS


All new psychology students are admitted into the BA in Psychology degree program. The BS is still available, but students must meet with an advisor to discuss the merits of this degree plan before switching to this degree program.

The BS degree is a regimented degree plan for students who wish to develop a focused set of skills in research focused scientific and methodological training. The BS degree program, offered by the Department of Psychology , has more course requirements than the BA (i.e., fewer electives). Students should seek early and frequent advice from departmental advisors.

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 for PSYC 30 , STAT 95  is a prerequisite for PSYC 100W , PSYC 100W  is a prerequisite for PSYC 120 , PSYC 120  is a prerequisite for PSYC 121A -PSYC 121E , and PSYC 120  is also a pre- or co-prerequisite for PSYC 190 /PSYC 195 ). Use the advisor’s expertise for GE, SJSU Studies, and American Institutions course selection and to ensure a strong foundation for future coursework. Seeking advising is especially important for those in the honors program or those planning to go on to research-oriented graduate programs 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 these materials as well as the requirements for Departmental Honors (BA or BS Psychology) are available from www.sjsu.edu/psych or the department office.

There are no minimum grade requirements for coursework in the major other than a C- or better for the lower division statistics requirement 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).

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 35
Major Preparation 12-18
Major Requirements 55
University Electives 12-18
Total 120

University Requirements for Graduation

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements  section of the Policies and Procedures .

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.

General Education/American Institution Requirements

Courses that meet General Education/American Institution requirements are noted with area designation for required area. For legend please see General Education Attributes .

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 (24 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 15 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 major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education (3 units)


Of the 9 units required by the university, 6 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 course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Asian American Studies (6 units)


U.S. History and Government (6 units)


Complete One US1: US History Course


Complete One US23: US Constitution and California Government Course


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 (12-18 units)


Complete one course from:

Complete Three Courses From


Complete three courses from (no more than two from each department):

CHEM 1A  or CHEM 30A , but not both

CHEM 1B  or CHEM 30B , but not both.

Major Requirements (55 units)


University Electives (12-18 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)