# Psychology (Associate of Arts Degree)

Coastline College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Psychology

Source: https://catalog.cccd.edu/coastline/pathways/behavior-culture-society/psychology/psychology-aa/

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Students majoring in psychology learn the major perspectives for understanding human behavior: behavioral, biological, cognitive, cross-cultural, evolutionary, humanistic, and psychodynamic. Students will acquire skills to analyze behavior, including statistical methods and research design, and will learn to document findings in APA (American Psychological Association) style; descriptive research methods and experimental methods are covered. Students will gain an understanding of the following topics: neuroscience; sensation and perception; consciousness; learning; memory; thinking, language and intelligence; motivation and emotion; lifespan development; personality; social psychology; stress, health, and coping; psychological disorders; and therapies. Completion of the major provides a solid foundation for a psychology transfer program and many careers in the social service fields. A Master’s degree or higher is required for most counseling or research psychologist positions.

#### Program Learning Outcomes

1.  Characterize the nature of psychology as a science.
2.  Apply the major theories, principles, and concepts of psychology to everyday life.
3.  Utilize investigative methods to collect, interpret, and present scientific data on psychological topics.

### REQUIREMENTS

Review the Associate in Science and Associate in Arts Graduation Requirements and General Education requirements.

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Required Core** | |  |
| **Complete the following:** | |  |
| PSYC C1000 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSYC C280 | Introduction to Research Methods in Psychology | 4 |
| STAT C1000 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 |
| **Program Electives** | |  |
| **Select nine units of the following:** | | 9 |
| ↳ PSYC C116 | Child Growth and Development |  |
| ↳ PSYC C118 | Life Span Developmental Psychology |  |
| ↳ PSYC C165 | Principles of Human Sexuality 1 |  |
| ↳ PSYC C170 | Psychology of Aging |  |
| or ↳ AGNG C170 | Psychology of Aging |  |
| ↳ PSYC C250 | Psychobiology |  |
| ↳ PSYC C255 | Abnormal Psychology |  |
| ↳ PSYC C260 | Social Psychology |  |
| **Units Required for the Major** | | 20 |
| **Local General Education or CalGETC pattern** | | Varies |
| **Electives to satisfy unit requirement** | | Varies |
| **Total Units** | | 60 |