Undergraduate Program
The course of study and the requirements for the B.A. degree in Psychology provide an opportunity for students who:
a) desire to extend their education in the liberal arts with an emphasis in psychology,
b) wish to prepare themselves for graduate work in psychology,
c) plan to enter one of several professional or occupational fields for which a substantial background in psychology is essential.
Detailed Description of the Psychology Program and Options (PDF)
LOWER-DIVISION REQUIRED COURSES (10 UNITS)
MATH 140 Introductory Statistics (4 units)
PSY 150 Principles of Human Behavior (3 units)
PSY 250* Physiological Correlates of Human Behavior (3 units)
*A score of 151 or higher on the English Placement Test is prerequisite to
PSY 250.
Supporting courses in biology, mathematics, philosophy, and the social sciences are recommended but not required.LOWER-DIVISION ELECTIVES: Lower-division courses other than those specified as required do not count toward a major in psychology, but rather, exist to inform students about topics of special interest and will count toward the total units required for graduation.
UPPER-DIVISION REQUIRED COURSES (16 UNITS)
Note: Completion of the Lower-Division Writing Requirement is prerequisite to PSY 321/L and to 313/L, 345/L, and 370/L. Students are advised to complete the Lower-Division Writing Requirement and to take PSY 320/L and 321/L early in their program because these courses are prerequisite to other upper-division courses required in the major.The following courses are required of all majors:
PSY 320/L Statistical Methods in Psychology and Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 321/L Experimental Psychology and Lab (3/1 units)
One of the following courses with its associated lab is required:
PSY 313/L Developmental Psychology and Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 345/L Social Psychologyand Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 370/L Psychology of Personality and Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 345/L Social Psychologyand Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 345/L Social Psychologyand Lab (3/1 units)
One of the following courses with its associated lab is required:
PSY 345/L Social Psychologyand Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 401/L Comparative Psychology and Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 345/L Social Psychologyand Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 402/L Brain and Behavior and Lab (3/1 units)
PSY 403/L Perception and Cognition and Lab (3/1 units)UPPER-DIVISION ELECTIVES (16 UNITS OR MORE)
Note: Electives may include the above upper-division courses not taken to satisfy other requirements or any 300 or 400- level courses in the Department of Psychology. Students may not double count the above courses as required courses and elective courses. No more than 6 units of PSY 498 (Practicum) and no more than 6 units of PSY 499 (Independent Study) may be counted toward the major. Please note that the number of units in psychology must total 42 units; transfer credit for courses that reflect fewer units than those at CSUN must be compensated for in upper-division elective units.TOTAL UNITS IN THE MAJOR: 42
GENERAL EDUCATION (48-52 UNITS)
Students may not double count psychology and General Education courses except MATH 140. Students of Psychology are not exempt from any sections of the General Education program.TITLE V (6 UNITS)
Students may not double count psychology and Title V courses. Students of psychology are not exempt from any sections of Title V requirements.
ADDITIONAL UNITS: 20-22
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED FOR THE DEGREE: 120