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.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

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
5. 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

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 in order 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.

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Required Core
PSYC G140	Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences (recommended)	3-4
or ECON G160	Statistics for Business and Economics
or SOC G125	Introduction to Statistics in Sociology
or STAT G160	Introduction to Statistics
or STAT G160S	Introduction to Statistics
PSYC G100	Introduction to Psychology	3
PSYC G280	Research Methods in Psychology	4
List A
PSYC G250	Psychobiology	3
List B
Select one of the following:		3
Any course from List A not used above
PSYC G116	Child Growth and Development	3
PSYC G118	Life Span Developmental Psychology	3
PSYC G260	Social Psychology	3
List C
Select one of the following:		3
Any course from List A or List B not used above
PSYC G110	Psychology of Adjustment	3
PSYC G165	Principles of Human Sexuality 1	3
PSYC G167	Psychology of Racism and Oppression	3
or ETHS G167	Psychology of Racism and Oppression
PSYC G255	Abnormal Psychology	3
SOC G100	Introduction To Sociology	3
Major Total		19-22
GE Pattern (Cal-GETC)		34
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)
Total Units		60