Apr 19, 2025

DRAFT 2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Behavioral Science, BA

Behavioral Science majors develop an interdisciplinary perspective on human behavior and an understanding of psychological, social and cultural dimensions to being human in a complex society. Offered cooperatively by the Departments of Anthropology, Psychology and Sociology, the Behavioral Science Program is housed in the Department of Anthropology , which oversees academic advising. The program prepares graduates for a variety of jobs that require working with social science data and with people. Many of our alumni have pursued careers in human resources, social work, counseling, sales and marketing and law enforcement.

Program Learning Outcomes

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.

1. Complete the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

Students must satisfy the specific degree requirements for their undergraduate major and fulfill the following University degree requirements:

Academic (program total units with an average 2.0 GPA - “C” or better)
General Education (GE) (34 Lower Division + 9 Upper Division)
American Institutions (AI) (0-6 units) (may be satisfied in GE Areas 3A, 3B, 4, UD 3, or UD 4)
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) 3 units (see Writing in the Disciplines)
Physical Education (PE) (0-2 units)
Units in Residence (30 units, including 24 upper division and 12 in major)
Upper Division Units (40 units, including 12 upper div in major for BA, 18 upper div in major for BS)
Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

Apply for Graduation
Information about the Commencement Ceremony and Conferral of the Degree

Summary of Degree Units

Core Lower Division General Education: 19 (9 units may be satisfied by major coursework)

American Institutions/ US123 Requirements: 6 (Note: may be satisfied by GE coursework)

Upper Division General Education: 9

Physical Education: 2

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR): 3

Major Requirements: 48

University Electives: 33

Total: 120

2. Major Requirements (48 units)

Core Courses (15 units)

ANTH 11 - Cultural Anthropology 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
ANTH 193 - Behavioral Science in Practice 3 unit(s) (ANTH 193 can also be taken as PSYC 193 and SOCI 193 )
PSYC 1 - Introduction to Psychology 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)
SOCI 1 - Introduction to Sociology 3 unit(s) (GE Area 4 / Formerly Area D)

Statistics Course

Complete one course:

STAT 95 - Elementary Statistics 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4) (UNVS 15 may be used in lieu of the statistics course required by this major.)
SOCI 15 - Statistical Applications in the Social Sciences 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2 / Formerly Area B4) (SOCI 15 can also be taken as SOCS 15 )

Methods Requirement

Students must complete at least one of the following courses:

A 3-unit maximum of individual studies may be used to meet the degree requirements.

ANTH 149 - Ethnographic Methods 3 unit(s)
ANTH 165 - Historical Archaeology 3 unit(s)
PSYC 18 - Introduction to Research Methods 3 unit(s)
PSYC 120 - Advanced Research Methods and Design 4 unit(s)
SOCI 104 - Quantitative Research Methods 3 unit(s)

Anthropology (9 units)

Three courses (at least 2 upper division) which may include

ANTH 149 - Ethnographic Methods 3 unit(s)
ANTH 165 - Historical Archaeology 3 unit(s)
ANTH 168 - Archaeological Methodology 3 unit(s)

Psychology (9 units)

Three courses in psychology (at least 2 upper division) which may include

PSYC 18 - Introduction to Research Methods 3 unit(s)
PSYC 120 - Advanced Research Methods and Design 4 unit(s)

Sociology (9 units)

SOCI 101 - Social Theory 3 unit(s)

Two Additional Upper Division Sociology Courses

Two additional upper division sociology courses which may include:

SOCI 104 - Quantitative Research Methods 3 unit(s)

Area of Specialization (6 units)

Specializations are a cluster of courses used by departments for advising purposes. Specializations will not appear on transcripts or diplomas. Please see advisor for more details.

Two additional upper division anthropology, psychology, or sociology courses, except SJSU Studies Area R, S, or V courses, approved by Behavioral Science advisor.

3. University Electives (33 units)

At least one unit must be Upper Division course.

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