Psychology

The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree covers the contemporary perspectives on understanding human behavior including biological, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, and sociocultural, as well as the effects of nature verses nurture on behavior and abilities. Students learn how to analyze the various methods used to study behavior, including the naturalistic observation method, the correlational method, the experimental method, kinship studies, the epidemiological method, and the case-study method.

In this program, students will gain the solid foundations they’ll need to be successful in the field and in their continued studies by taking a range of classes that focus on both knowledge and skills. Students who complete the psychology curriculum start with a broad overview of the discipline, begin to develop their writing and research skills, then take a deep dive into particular topics in our specialty classes including Lifespan Development, Abnormal Behavior, Social, and Biopsychology. Psychology majors learn to characterize the nature of psychology as a science; understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues; use reasoning to recognize, develop, defend, and criticize arguments related to conclusions about psychological issues; identify appropriate applications of psychology in solving problems. Students come out of the program with a working knowledge of discipline applicable statistics and research methods, a solid writing experience across our curriculum, critical thinking skills, and a comprehensive knowledge base that helps them discover their particular interests and direction.

Students who successfully complete this major will have 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 psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
3. Use reasoning to develop, defend, and criticize arguments related to conclusions about psychological issues.
4. Identify theoretical applications of psychology in solving problems, such as the origin and treatment of abnormal behavior, pursuit and effect of healthy lifestyles, psychology-based interventions in clinical, educational community, and other settings.

Potential careers students may enter upon completion are as follows:

• Assessment Counselor
• Crisis Intervention Counselor
• Family Advocate
• Family Development Specialist
• Mental Health Associate
• Police Officer
• Psychology Aide
• Teacher's Aide
• Home Care Aide
• Youth Counselor
• Research Assistant
• Correctional Officer
• Social Services Assistant
• Psychiatric Technician
• Peer Support Specialist
• Community Health Jobs
• Psychiatric Nursing Assistant
• Social and Human Services Assistants
• Non-profit entry level worker
• Child Care Worker

Requirements

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:

• Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
• Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
• Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
• Completion of Cal-GETC.

Students should consult a GWC counselor to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.