The Psychology Department maintains an undergraduate advising and admissions office in Psychology Building Room 206, (562) 985-5680. Go to karl.papubs.csulb.edu/cla/psychology, select "Undergraduate Program" and "Peer Advisor Center." Advisors are available year round to assist students with admission, registration, degree requirements, and information about graduate study. An undergraduate handbook is available.
The number of applicants to the major in Psychology has typically exceeded the number that can be accommodated by the department’s resources. For this reason the undergraduate major has been designated as impacted by the California State University and a supplemental application may be required.
Admission Under Impaction
To be eligible for admission to Psychology, applicants must demonstrate the following prior to the semester for which the application is submitted. Applicants must have met requirements for admission to the university as a freshman or transfer student. Applicants must have completed the following prerequisite courses, each with a minimum grade of "C": PSY 100, 210, and 220 or their equivalents. Applicants must have completed at least 60 units applicable to a CSULB degree prior to the term for which admission is sought. The number of applicants who can be admitted is limited by space availability. Eligible applicants will be selected for admission for admission based on cumulative grade point average, with a minimum of 2.25. Students provisionally admitted to the upper-division major must complete PSY 301 with a passing grade no later than the end of their first semester in the major, or they will be dropped from the major.
Learning Goals and Technical Skills
Students who graduate with a major in psychology should have current knowledge of:
In the course of learning the above, students are expected to graduate with the ability to:
Requirements
The psychology curriculum is designed to provide undergraduate students with a broad background in the principles of Psychology.
Lower Division: (14 units) PSY 100, 210, 241, 220.
Upper Division:
1. 3 units – PSY 301;
2. 6 units – two courses from PSY 331, 332, 333, 336, 340, 341, 342;
3. 6 units – two courses from PSY 351, 356; 361 or 365;
4. 6 units – two courses from (not from the same group):
5. 6 units – 400 level PSY courses. No more than 3 units from 405, 406A or 406B may be counted in this category. PSY 499 cannot be counted to satisfy this requirement.
6. 6 units – any upper division psychology courses not used to satisfy the requirement of sections 2 through 5;
7. 6 units – upper division units in Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, American Studies, Asian and Asian American Studies, Anthropology, Chicano and Latino Studies, Economics, Educational Psychology, Geography, History, Human Development, Latin American Studies, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology, Women’s Studies. At least 3 units must have an emphasis in contemporary U.S. ethnic studies. A list of acceptable ethnic studies courses may be obtained from the Psychology Advising Office in PSY 206.
Students are advised to consult with the Psychology Advising Office for course choices most relevant to their individual goals.
Admission Requirements
Requirements
The Minor in Psychology is available to any non-Psychology major.
A minimum of 23 units which must include: PSY 100, 210, 241, and 220, nine upper division psychology units including at least one course from PSY 331, 332, 333, 336, 340, 341, or 342; and at least one course from PSY 351, 356, 361, or 365; and one elective.
