What can I do with this?
We are now offering associate degrees for transfer to the CSU. This provides a clear pathway to a CSU major and baccalaureate degree. This AS-T degree guarantees admission with junior standing somewhere in the CSU system and gives priority admission consideration to your local CSU campus or to a program that is deemed similar to your community college major. This priority does not guarantee admission to specific majors or campuses. More information on the Degree with a Guarantee Program.
The Psychology Degree for Transfer
- Guarantees acceptance to the CSU system
- Prepares students for careers in Psychology. The major in psychology provides a study of the behavior of individuals and groups.
- Provides foundational knowledge for positions in
- Research and Teaching
- Counseling
- Social Work
- Working in Clinical Settings
- Human Resources
Current and prospective community college students are encouraged to meet with a counselor to review their options for transfer and to develop an educational plan that best meets their goals and needs.
What will I learn?
- To apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, social, and occupational skills.
- To compare and contrast the major theoretical perspectives in psychology.
- To evaluate psychological data and apply the scientific method to psychological theory.
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
Complete the following courses:
Prerequisite: MATH C053 or MATH C055
54 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course covers data analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics. Graphs and computations include measures of central tendency and dispersion, correlation and regression, and presentation of data on a histogram, scatter plot, box plot, and the normal curve. Probability concepts include those for discrete and continuous random variables. Sampling and hypothesis testing are covered for means and variances. Topics from algebra are combined with applications in statistics in the lab portion of the class. This course applies to the degree requirements for students not majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Approved for IGETC Area 2, CSU GE Area B4, Local GE Area 4.
Prerequisite: MATH C053 or MATH C055. Advisory: ENGL C101
Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance to the Honors Program or eligibility for this honors course as determined by the instructor.
72 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course covers elements of descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, dispersion and presentation of data. Included are concepts of probability, random variables and normally distributed random variables. Sampling error, sampling processes and the distribution of sample means are applied to real life examples. Students will conduct hypothesis testing of means and proportions for one and two populations and linear regression testing using the least squares criterion. Students use descriptive and inferential methods employing linear regression and study one and two way analysis of variance. The honors section provides more content and requires greater intensity and depth of study than the non-honors class; the honors course also requires at least one extra research assignment. Approved for IGETC Area 2, CSU GE Area B4, Local GE Area 4.
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course offers the student an introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes focusing on exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior and mental processes, perceptions, consciousness, memory, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion, development, intelligence, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) format is taught and applied to written assignments and papers. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9, Local GE Area 2.
Advisory: ENGL C101
Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance for the Honors Program or eligibility for this honors course as determined in consultation with the instructor.
72 hours lecture. This course offers the student an introduction to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes focusing on exploration of major psychological theories and concepts, methods, and research findings in psychology. Topics include the biological bases of behavior and mental processes, perceptions, consciousness, memory, cognition, learning, motivation, emotion, development, intelligence, personality, social psychology, psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches, and applied psychology. The American Psychological Association (APA) format is taught and applied to written assignments and papers. The honors course provides more content and requires greater intensity and depth of study than the non-honors class. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9, Local GE Area 2.
Prerequisite: MATH C121
54 hours lecture. This course covers research methods in the social and behavioral sciences, as well as proper reporting of results in American Psychological Association (APA) style. These methods include research design (experimental, non-experimental, and quasi-experimental), the interpretation of behavioral data using descriptive and inferential statistics, and research ethics. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D7, Local GE Area 2.
LIST A - Select one course:
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This is an introductory course in biological science with laboratory experience for non-majors. The course illustrates the principles of organization, cell structure and function, genetics, metabolism, organ systems, reproduction (plant and animal), ecology, evolution, and animal behavior. The course is not open to students with credit in BIOL C101. Approved for IGETC Area 5B & 5C, CSU GE Area B2 & B3, Local GE Area 1.
Pre-requisite: ENGL C070
Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance to the Honors Program or eligibility for this honors course as determined by the instructor.
72 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This is an introductory course in biological science with laboratory experience for non-majors. The course illustrates the principles of organization, cell structure and function, genetics, metabolism, organ systems, reproduction (plant and animal), ecology, evolution, and animal behavior. The course is not open to students with credit in BIOL C101. The honors course provides more content and requires greater intensity and depth of study than the non-honors class. Approved for IGETC Area 5B & 5C, CSU GE Area B2 & B3, Local GE Area 1.
Prerequisite: ENGL C070, PSYC C101
54 hours lecture. 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 are 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. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9, Local GE Area 2.
LIST B - Select one course or any List A course not used above:
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course provides an overview, from a psychological perspective, of human development from conception through death, including biological and environmental influences. Theories and research of physical, cognitive, personality, and social development are examined, as well as attention to developmental problems. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9 or E, Local GE Area 2.
LIST C - Select one course or any course not selected above:
Advisory: ENGL C070
54 hours lecture. This course covers the complex and diverse psychological, biological, socio-cultural, and historical aspects of human sexuality. Discussions include evaluation of prominent theories, examination of academic research and exploration of current issues pertaining to human sexuality. Students are encouraged to become aware of their own sexual attitudes, values, 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 are explored. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area E, Local GE Area 2.
Prerequisite: ENGL C070, PSYC C101
54 hours lecture. 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. Approved for IGETC Area 4I, CSU GE Area D9, Local GE Area 2.
Advisory: ENGL C101, LIBR C100
54 hours lecture. This course introduces concepts and research findings of contemporary sociology; this includes analyzing human groups such as the family, the peer group, the work group, social class, institutions, mass behavior, and culture. Discussion is centered on the effects of social change in an industrial society. Approved for IGETC Area 4J, CSU GE Area D10, Local GE Area 2 & 6.
Complete one of the following general education patterns:
Students desiring transfer to the California State University system may conform to either (1) the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or (2) CSU General Education Certification.
Please consult the Transfer Center or Counseling for more information regarding which classes will transfer to a four-year institution.
IGETC is a series of courses that community college students can use to satisfy lower division general education requirements at any CSU or UC campus.
Please consult the Transfer Center or Counseling for more information regarding which classes will transfer to a four-year institution.
Program Pathways
Official Catalog Copy
All classes needed for this degree are available at the following campuses: CC Online Ridgecrest / IWV Bishop Mammoth Lakes Lake Isabella
Additionally, some of the general education courses needed to complete this major are available at all our locations.
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This degree requires 60.0 units and will likely take 4 semesters.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
60.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $2,760 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $6,360 for 4 semesters
Non-residents
60.0 units
at $329 per unit
Equals $19,740 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $3,600* for books and supplies
Total cost $23,340 for 4 semesters
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
