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
Garcia, April
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.)
- Quantitative 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.
Psychology, AA-T
State Control Number: 33026
Program Code: PSYCT.AA or PSYCT.IGETC.AA
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree is to prepare students for transfer to the California State University system to complete a degree in Psychology or similar major. It is specifically designed to satisfy the lower division requirements for the Baccalaureate degree in Psychology at a California State University. This degree complies with SB1440 and California Education Code section 66746. The Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology benefits students by providing a structured academic pathway to transfer as a psychology major within the CSU system. The completion of an advanced degree and/or professional certificate, such as a baccalaureate degree, is required for students to pursue employment, graduate studies, and/or careers in related psychological fields.
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 | ||
| Complete one course from the following: | 3.0-4.0 | |
| General Biology | ||
| Biopsychology | ||
| List B | ||
| Complete one course from the following, or any List A course not used: | 3.0 | |
| Developmental Psychology | ||
| List C | ||
| Complete one course from the following, or any List A or B course not used: | 3.0 | |
| Intorduction to Human Sexuality | ||
| Social Psychology | ||
| Abnormal Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Total Units | 19-20 | |
Applied Developmental Psychology Certificate of Achievement
State Control Number: 38779
Program Code: ADEVPSYC.CERT
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Pending
The Applied Developmental Psychology (ADP) Certificate of Achievement aims to prepare students to function in a variety of settings that serve individuals with developmental disorders. A student earning the Applied Developmental Psychology Certificate of Achievement will be prepared for entry-level positions as a behavior therapist, classroom paraeducator, or job coach for persons with disabilities where an associate or bachelor’s degree is not required, and where continued supervision is provided by a licensed or credentialed professional. Possible job titles include, but are not limited to, the following: Behavioral Therapist, Behavior Technician, Behavior Instructor, Behavior Interventionist, Child Care Worker, Shadow Aide, Behavioral Aide, Special Education Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Paraprofessional, and Paraeducator.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSYC 101 | Introductory Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSYC 110 | Developmental Psychology | 3.0 |
| PSYC 213 | Abnormal Psychology | 3.0 |
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| CMST 106 | Interpersonal Communication | 3.0 |
| Second Language | ||
| Complete one of the following courses: | 4.0-6.0 | |
| American Sign Language I | ||
| American Sign Language II | ||
| American Sign Language III | ||
| American Sign Language IV | ||
| Fundamentals of Spanish 101A and Fundamentals of Spanish 101B | ||
or SPAN 101 | Elementary Spanish | |
| Total Units | 16-18 | |
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.
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
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. C-ID: PSY 150.
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.
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.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
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, Minimum grace C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
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. C-ID: PSY 120.
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.
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.
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
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 this 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.