Psychology is the empirical study of behavior, emotion and mental processes. In pursuing the Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree, students acquire skills in research, information gathering, and analytic thinking. Students majoring in psychology develop critical thinking, problem solving and written and verbal communication skills.
Although some careers in psychology require an advanced degree (e.g., mental health therapist, behavior analyst, or university professor), students majoring in psychology will acquire a variety of skills that employers value. Review the American Psychological Association's The Skillful Psychology Student: Prepared for Success in the 21st Century Workplace for a summary of these marketable skills.
Career Opportunities
Academic Counselor, Administrator, Behavior Analyst, Career Counselor, Community College Instructor, Data Analyst, Drug Abuse Counselor, Employment Counselor, Forensic Psychologist, Human Factors Specialist, Marriage and Family Therapist, Mental Health Worker, Personnel Analyst, Probation Officer, Psychiatric Aide, Psychometrist, Public Health Statistician Trainee, Research Analyst, Research Technician, Social Research Trainee, Sports Psychologist, Student Affairs Officer, Survey Designer, Training Specialist, University Professor
Faculty
Borruel, Keiry
Garcia, April
Luna, Jose
Transfer
Most colleges and universities offer psychology or behavioral sciences education. Thus, there are a variety of baccalaureate programs for psychology transfer students to consider. The public institutions highlighted in this section offer undergraduate psychology programs within California and nearby in the state of Nevada.
Southern California
- California State University, San Bernardino - Department of Psychology
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Biological Psychology (B.A.)
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology (B.A.)
- University of California, Riverside - Department of Psychology
- Psychology (B.A./B.S.)
- Neuroscience (B.A./B.S.)
- Psychology, Law & Society (B.A.)
Northern California
- Cal State East Bay - Department of Psychology
- Psychology (B.A.)
- Industrial/Organizational Psychology (B.S.)
- Ergonomics and Human Factors (B.S.)
- University of California, Davis - Department of Psychology
- Psychology (A.B.)
- Biological Psychology (B.S.)
Nevada
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Department of Psychology
- Psychology (B.A.)
UNLV's Psychology B.A. program can be completed online. UNLV offers reduced nonresident tuition for San Bernardino County residents. Inquire about the "Good Neighbor" classification.
Visit assist.org for official transfer and articulation information for California’s public colleges and universities. Please stop by the Transfer Center in Building 23 or make an appointment with a counselor if you have questions.
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program.
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and critical thinking skills as related to human behavior and mental processes.
- Apply the scientific method to distinguish science from pseudoscience as it relates to behavior and mental processes.
- Communicate scientifically to peers and to the community.
- Demonstrate a general understanding of typical and atypical human development and functioning.
- Effectively communicate with others to solve problems.
- Develop beginner-level communication skills to work with diverse populations in educational, mental-health, and social services positions.
Psychology Courses
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. The content focuses on the exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior, perception, cognition and consciousness, learning, memory, emotion, motivation, development, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology. C-ID: PSY 110. CSU,UC
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Prerequisite: PSYC 101 or PSYC 101H. This course introduces the scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences. Physiological, hormonal, and neurochemical mechanisms, and brain-behavior relationships underlying the psychological phenomena of sensation, perception, regulatory processes, emotion, learning, memory, and psychological disorders will be addressed. The course also notes historical scientific contributions and current research principles for studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes. Ethical standards for human and animal research are discussed in the context of both invasive and non-invasive experimental research. C-ID: PSY 150. CSU, UC
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 or PSYC H101, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course includes the study of theories, methods, and research findings regarding biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial development of the individual across the lifespan including death, dying and bereavement. (UC credit limitation). C-ID: PSY 180. CSU,UC
Recommended Preparation: PSYC 101 and Eligibility for ENGL 101.0
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course is an introductory overview of the field of human sexuality. Human sexuality will be examined from psychological, biological, sociocultural, and historical perspectives. Students will be encouraged to become aware of their own sexual attitudes, values, and behaviors and to evaluate the consistency of their behaviors within their own moral frameworks. Current sex norms and various aspects of interpersonal and individual sexual adjustment will be explored. C-ID: PSY 130. CSU,UC
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
The focus of this course is the relationship between the individual and society including such topics as social identity, conformity, obedience and deviance, attitudes and attitude change, attribution theory, persuasion, prejudice and stereotyping, aggression and prosocial behavior, interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, and conflict and conflict resolution. CSU/UC
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101, Minimum grace C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
No Prerequisite. Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H. This course introduces the scientific study of psychopathology and atypical behaviors, broadly defined. Students investigate abnormal behavior from a variety of perspectives including biological, psychological, and sociocultural approaches. An integrative survey of theory and research in abnormal behavior, and intervention and prevention strategies for psychological disorders are also introduced. C-ID: PSY 120. CSU, UC.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This is an introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in behavioral and sociological research. Topics include: descriptive and inferential statistics including levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions; probability and hypothesis testing; measures of significance; regression and correlation; and, analysis of variance (ANOVA). Application of statistical software to social and behavioral science data required. C-ID: SOCI 125. CSU/UC
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 and PSYC 101 or SOC 101
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course surveys psychological research design and methods with an emphasis on correlational relationships, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, instrumentation, data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation. Research design and methodology will be examined through the review of scholarly journal articles. In laboratory sessions students will conduct research in psychology and/or social science. Actual data collected from research conducted during laboratory sessions will be analyzed with statistical software. C-ID: PSY 205 B. CSU,UC
Prerequisite(s): (PSYC 101) and (MATH 120 or PSYC 215, Minimum grade C)
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lab Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course examines the physical, social, cognitive, and personality development of adults with an emphasis on aging in middle and late adulthood. This course is designed for psychology majors, students seeking the Human Diversity Certificate of Achievement, and those seeking to teach "Courses for Older Adults" through VVC's noncredit program. CSU
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 36.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Aging is examined through the lenses of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class, and community. This course is designed for the following: psychology majors, students completing the Psychology AD-T, students seeking the Human Diversity Certificate of Achievement, and those seeking to teach "Courses for Older Adults" through VVC's noncredit program. CSU
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 36.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only