Psychology is a behavioral science that has as its goals to describe, explain, predict and control behavior and mental processes. Graduates in psychology—bachelor’s degree and post-graduate study are employed in a number of areas, including education, research, clinical practice, government, and business. Some of the major sub-fields in psychology are clinical, developmental, educational, environmental, health, industrial/organizational,biopsychology, school, and social psychology.
Career Opportunities
Academic Counselor, Education, Educational Psychologist, Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Mental Health Officer, Human Resources, Probation Officer, Psychologist, Rehabilitation Counselor, Social Worker
Faculty
Flome, Robert
Garcia, April
Jennings, Patricia
Transfer
- California State University, San Bernardino: Psychology major
- University of California, Riverside: Psychology major | Psychobiology major
Local Bachelors Programs - Visit the High Desert Four-Year Universities website.
- Brandman University, Victor Valley Campus: Psychology major
- Park University, Victor Valley: Social Psychology Major
For the most up-to-date information on these programs and others, visit assist.org. Please stop by the Transfer Center in Building 23 or make an appointment with a counselor if you have questions.
Psychology, AA-T (33026)
Psychology offers much to the student who desires to study and understand the complexity of behavior and mental processes. The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer program allows the student to utilize research methods, evaluate the credibility of research, theories, and applications; understand the core fields, paradigms, and theories; apply psychological concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends to questions and issues in personal experience and contemporary society; and understand the ethical standards in academic and applied psychology. The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree program also provides students with the opportunity to learn to describe, explain, predict, and control behavior, in various situations, because it is one of a few disciplines with a broad and relevant scope.
Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree is to prepare students for transfer to the California State University system to complete the Baccalaureate degree in Psychology. Students should consult with a counselor to determine whether this degree is the best option for their transfer goals.
To earn this degree complete the major coursework listed here with “C” grades or better and the following graduation requirements: 60 CSU transferable units; either the CSU General Education or IGETC pattern; the Basic/Golden 4 requirements; and a 2.0 minimum overall CSU GPA. Courses used in the major may also be counted in the general education areas. Courses used for this major may also be used to earn other degrees at VVC.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSYC 101 | Introductory Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSYC 215 | Introduction to Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3.0 |
| PSYC 217 | Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology | 4.0 |
| List A | ||
| PSYC 109 | Biopsychology | 3.0 |
| List B | ||
| PSYC 110 | Developmental Psychology | 3.0 |
| or PSYC 111 | Introduction to Child Psychology | |
| List C | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Family Dynamics of Addiction and Abuse | ||
| Human Sexuality and Intimacy | ||
| Introduction to Counseling | ||
| Introduction to Substance Abuse Studies | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Total Units | 19 | |
Applied Developmental Psychology Certificate of Achievement (38779)
The Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) Certificate of Achievement at Victor Valley College is an academic program that prepares students to deliver behavioral services under the supervision of a credentialed and/or licensed professional. The field of ADP concentrates on using knowledge of human development and related research to help solve real world problems. The ADP Certificate offers an entry-level preparation for anyone interested in careers in education, psychology, health-related fields, or public policy.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSYC 101 | Introductory Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSYC 110 | Developmental Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSYC 209 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3.0 |
| PSYC 211 | Introduction to Learning and Behavior Analysis | 3.0 |
| Total Units | 12 | |
Psychology Courses
The introductory course which surveys the multifaceted discipline of psychology and explores the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course studies family abuse and addiction. Theories and evidence-based intervention strategies that promote behavioral change and wellness are evaluated. Chemical, child, spousal, and dependent adult abuse are defined within a social, cultural, and historical context. It also explores the correlation between chemical dependency and family dysfunction as well as the developmental impact abuse has on children and adolescents.
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Introduction to the study of behavior from a biological perspective. Neuroanatomy,neurophysiology, psychopharmacology, and the biological systems and processes underlying behavior. Emphasis will be placed on brain mechanisms underlying behavior and their relation to issues in psychology.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 or PSYC H101
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
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)
Recommended Preparation: PSYC 101 and Eligibility for English 101.0
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Schedule Description This course explores child development from conception through adolescence with particular emphasis on biopsychosocial, emotional and cognitive development. (UC credit limitation).
Recommended Preparation: PSYC 101 and Eligibility for English 101.0
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This is a survey course of human sexual and intimate behaviors throughout the life cycle. It includes the physiological, psychological, sociological and theoretical approaches of human sexuality throughout the life cycle, sexual disorders and related social issues.
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
An introduction to principles of counseling concepts will be the primary focus. A systematic consideration of the basic skills and theories essential for effective counseling and problem solving.
Recommended Preparation: PSYC 101
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course will provide a historical perspective on drug/alcohol abuse, its impact on the individual, the family, the community and society. Definitions of use, abuse, and addiction will be presented as well as the disease concept of addiction. The effectiveness and economics of various models of treatment and rehabilitation will be explored.
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Cooperative Education: This course is designed for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or possible career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences. Students must have a co-op approved worksite to enroll in this class and establish new learning objectives. Please refer to the Cooperative Education section in the catalog for more information
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
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.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 or PSYC 101H
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course explores the history and classifications of psychological disorders, symptom criteria, clinical assessment, diagnosis, and the major theoretical treatment modalities. The Biopsychosocial, Psychoanalytic, Cognitive, Behavioral and Sociocultural theories are emphasized. How we define, assess, treat and study psychological disorders is the thematic focus of the course. A variety of class exercises are used to illustrate and understand the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101; Minimum grade C;
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course addresses the fundamental principles in Learning and Behavior Analysis with an emphasis on operant conditioning, applied behavior analysis, and evolutionary and biological factors. Topics include the history and basic principles of modern learning theories; methodology, measurement and quantification of behavior research, and the application of behavior analysis techniques for changing behavior.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101; Minimum grade C;
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course explores the history and classifications of psychological disorders, symptom criteria, clinical assessment, diagnosis, and the major theoretical treatment modalities. The Biopsychosocial, Psychoanalytic, Cognitive, Behavioral and Sociocultural theories are emphasized. How we define, assess, treat and study psychological disorders is the thematic focus of the course. A variety of class exercises are used to illustrate and understand the etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological disorders.
Lecture Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course is an introduction to basic multivariate statistics commonly used in social and behavioral science research. , UC.
Prerequisite(s): MATH 90 Minimum grade C
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101 AND PSYC 101 OR SOC 101
Lecture Hours: 54.00
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.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 or PSYC H101; MATH 120 MATH H120 or PSYC 215; Minimum grade C;
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 54.00; Lab Hours: 54.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Fieldwork experience in Psychology and Social Science is a required course for the Mental Health Worker and the Applied Developmental Psychology Certificate(s)of Achievement. Practical experience is a major factor in professional skill development and application of research and academic knowledge. Class meetings focus on fieldwork experiences, self-care, case communication, and multi-disciplinary teamwork experiences. Students will be assigned a supervised position in a placement setting. Field placement agencies may require a TB test and/or fingerprinting.
Prerequisite(s): PSYC 101 Minimum grade of C;
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 PSYC 125 PSYC 213; In addition, this course requires permission from the instructor AND the Psychology Department Chair.
Lecture Hours: 18.00; Lab Hours: 108.00
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Program Learning Outcomes
A student receiving a degree or certificate in this field will 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 preferences.
- Communicate scientifically to peers and to the community