PSYCHOLOGY
College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies

BACHELOR OF ARTS
MINOR
CERTIFICATE
MASTER OF ARTS
CAREER POSSIBILITIES
FACULTY
CONTACT
COMPLETE COURSE LISTING

Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behavior, cognition, and emotion. It is a broad discipline that includes both basic research and the application of research findings to everyday life. The Sacramento State Psychology Department offers an undergraduate program in General Psychology and graduate programs in Counseling Psychology, General Psychology (with specific emphasis on Psychology Doctoral Preparation), and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. At both the undergraduate and graduate levels, students may choose course work, fieldwork, and research experiences that allow them to emphasize such areas as Clinical/Counseling, Cognitive, Developmental, Industrial/Organizational, Social, Personality, and Applied Behavior Analysis.

The undergraduate program allows students to develop research skills and an understanding of the biological, cognitive, cultural, developmental and social aspects of human behavior. Students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in the form of faculty-supervised research projects and internship/fieldwork experiences.

Specializations

• MA: Counseling / Industrial-Organizational Psychology / Doctoral Preparation

Special Features

• The Psychology Department is housed in Amador Hall, a building designed primarily to accommodate the Department. As such, it contains extensive human and animal research facilities.
• A Psychological Services Center provides excellent learning opportunities for students in experimental and counseling psychology. The six-room counseling suite is equipped for audio and video recording of therapy sessions, providing counseling services for the community.
• Special labs are available for research in perception, cognition, human development, behavior analysis and neuroscience. A sound-deadened room is used for sleep research, and computer-controlled systems are available for programming animal research studies.
• Computers are available for data collection and analysis and for stimuli and survey development and presentation.
• Since independent study and fieldwork experiences are an integral part of the psychology curriculum, the Psychology Department maintains close ties with the Sacramento community. Each year about 300 students do research projects or work in various organizations and community service agencies such as the Suicide Prevention Service, Planned Parenthood, and the California Youth Authority.
• Other students do independent study courses on topics of special interest to them, including biofeedback, neuroscience, cognition, cognitive development, visual perception, social psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and sleep.
• The Psychology Society, a club open to all psychology students, and Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology, jointly sponsor guest speakers and engage in various social activities throughout the year.

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

With a BA in Psychology, graduates can qualify for positions requiring an understanding of human behavior in public service, education, or business. The undergraduate Behavior Analysis Certificate qualifies students for positions requiring the application of behavior analysis to children with developmental disabilities

REQUIREMENTS - BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Units required for Major: 46-51
Minimum total units required for BA: 120
Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.

Note: PSYC 1, PSYC 5, PSYC 8 and PSYC 101 must each be completed with a minimum grade of "C-."

A. Required Lower Division Courses (9 units)

(3-4) Electives - select one to two additional upper division Psychology courses numbered 100-199.

Note: Transfer students must take at least 15 units of Psychology courses in residence at Sacramento State; 12 of those units must be upper division.

The Psychology Department strongly recommends that Psychology Majors sequence their courses in the following manner to provide them with an optimal learning experience:

Freshmen and Sophomores:	lower division GE requirements, PSYC 1, PSYC 5, PSYC 8 and electives
Juniors:	upper division GE requirements, PSYC 101 (and PSYC 102 for graduate school aspirants), any upper division Psychology courses and electives
Seniors:	upper division GE requirements, any upper division Psychology courses, Psychology capstone course and electives

It is important to choose courses in the sequence outlined above. Otherwise, there could be a delay in completion of the major and graduation. A brochure is available in the Psychology Department Office with specific course recommendations depending on the desired career path of the student.

Units required for the Minor: 20, 10 of which must be upper division.

Note: PSYC 1, PSYC 5, and PSYC 8 must each be completed with a grade of "C-" or better.

Specific course requirements are:

(3)	PSYC 1	Introductory Psychology: Basic Processes
(3)	PSYC 5	Introductory Psychology: Individual and Social Processes
(3)	PSYC 8	Methods of Psychology (PSYC 1, PSYC 5; either may be taken concurrently)
(3-4) Select one of the following:
	PSYC 103	Perception (PSYC 1, PSYC 8; PSYC 101 recommended)
	PSYC 104	Learning Theories (PSYC 1, PSYC 8, PSYC 101)
	PSYC 106	Motivation (PSYC 1, PSYC 5, PSYC 8)
	PSYC 110	Cognitive Psychology (PSYC 1, PSYC 8; PSYC 101 recommended)
	PSYC 111	Introduction to Biological Psychology (PSYC 1, PSYC 101; PSYC 101 recommended)
	PSYC 115	Introduction to Neuroscience (PSYC 1, PSYC 8, PSYC 101)
	PSYC 116	Animal Behavior (PSYC 1)
	PSYC 117	Drugs and Behavior
(6) Select two of the following:
	PSYC 108	Organizational Psychology
	PSYC 130	Personality Theories (PSYC 1 or PSYC 5)
	PSYC 145	Social Psychology (PSYC 1 or PSYC 5)
	PSYC 148	Child Psychology (PSYC 1 or PSYC 5)
	PSYC 149	Psychology of Adolescence (PSYC 1 or PSYC 5)
	PSYC 150	Psychological Aspects of Aging (PSYC 1 or PSYC 5)
	PSYC 168	Abnormal Psychology (PSYC 5)
(1-2)	Elective	Select one additional upper division Psychology course numbered 100-199

REQUIREMENTS - CERTIFICATE - BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

Units required for the Certificate: 15 units of specialized course work taken concurrently with established degree requirements. Courses for the Certificate program are applicable toward course requirements for the major.

To receive the Sacramento State certification in Behavior Analysis, students must:

• complete a baccalaureate degree program with a major in Psychology or a related field;
• achieve a 3.5 GPA in the BA Certificate Program courses.

Additional certification information may be obtained from the Psychology Department Office.

The Master of Arts program in Psychology is designed to provide specialized education in the field of psychology. With an MA in Psychology, one can qualify for positions similar to those associated with a BA, though at a higher level of responsibility. Advisors play an active role in the planning process, and students are strongly encouraged to consult with faculty on a continual and intensive basis as soon as they begin their studies in the program. MA students can prepare for doctoral study in any area of Psychology or specialize in areas such as Counseling or Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Students who are interested in pursuing graduate work at Sacramento State in psychology must obtain a Graduate Brochure from the Psychology Department Office. This brochure is also available on the Sacramento State web site. The Graduate Brochure contains the department application procedures, including GRE requirements and the departmental application form.

Although the program is based on a core set of requirements, the form of the program provides for flexibility. While much material is covered in regular course offerings, the Department recognizes that specialized study and the development of certain types of skills must take place on a one-to-one student-instructor basis. This includes research activities in the laboratory, field, or library; teaching activities; and volunteer work in community mental health agencies, government agencies, schools, and/or businesses. Academic credit under individualized study or fieldwork designations is available for these purposes.

Specializations

• Counseling Psychology: The specialized degree option in Counseling Psychology is designed for students desiring the Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) license. In addition to completing the core courses and the culminating requirement for the MA degree, students must select the Counseling Psychology option and complete all of the courses meeting the educational requirements for the MFT license as set forth by the licensing board. Students should note that this degree option is not appropriate for those planning to pursue doctoral study in Clinical Psychology; students committed to this latter goal should (a) complete a well-chosen set of other academic courses (including our quantitative and research courses), (b) obtain research experience, and (c) work very closely with faculty advisors.
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology: This specialized degree option is designed for students who wish to develop marketable career skills that allow them to apply psychological principles and research methods to work-related issues. Hiring classifications of our graduates include Test Validation and Development Specialist, Research Analyst, and Personnel Analyst. In addition to completing the core courses and the culminating requirement for the MA degree, students must also select the Industrial/Organizational Psychology option.
• Doctoral Preparation: In the Doctoral Preparation track, students can create individual programs in conjunction with the faculty to prepare for doctoral programs in a variety of specialized fields, such as Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Educational, Experimental, Industrial/Organizational, Neuroscience, Quantitative, and Social Psychology.

Admission to graduate study in Psychology is selective, requiring completion of upper division undergraduate psychology courses in statistics and research methods, with at least "C" grades in those courses, as well as a balanced and academically strong group of upper division courses covering at least five different core academic areas of psychology (e.g., biological, clinical, cognitive, developmental, social). The upper division psychological research methods/statistics requirement is met by Sacramento State PSYC 101 and PSYC 102 or their equivalents at other universities. Upper division research methods/statistics courses from other universities must be reviewed and approved for equivalency by the Department's Graduate Coordinator.

The acceptance model used by the Department equally weighs a composite grade point average (GPA), scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and letters of recommendation. Composite GPA involves both overall GPA and the GPA of the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units, the latter weighed twice that of the former. GRE scores from the two Aptitude and single Advanced Psychology exams are averaged. The three letters of recommendation are numerically scored on a scale from 1 (low) to 12 (high), and are averaged. Acceptance criteria are based upon applicant scores over the past several years, and will fluctuate somewhat from semester to semester as recent applicants are added to the pool.

An adjunct method of admission is available for applicants with complete files who are not selected via the above process: qualification through unclassified post baccalaureate status, providing the applicant meets university requirements for that status, takes specified course work, and maintains a specified minimum GPA. Students are advised to seek further information from the Psychology Department concerning this admission alternative. This method can be used only by applicants who have applied under the Standard Admission Plan described below, have generated a complete application file with the Department, have satisfactorily completed all of the required preparatory course work listed in the Graduate Brochure, and have fallen below the Department's admission criterion.

Admission Procedures

Applicants must obtain a Psychology Department Graduate Brochure containing the departmental application materials, and must complete both parts of the application process by March 1 for Fall semester admission or by November 1 for Spring semester admission. Each prospective graduate student, including Sacramento State graduates, must file the following with the Office of Graduate Studies, River Front Center 206, (916) 278-6470:

• an online application for admission; and
• two sets of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, other than Sacramento State.

At the same time, each applicant must send the following directly to the Psychology Department:

• a completed application form from the Psychology Department Graduate Brochure;
• one set of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including Sacramento State transcripts;
• official copies of the General and Psychology Graduate Record Examination* scores (be aware that it takes approximately six weeks from the test date for scores to be forwarded); and
• three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant's potential for successful graduate study.

*The General GRE (available now only as a computerized test) must have been taken by the application deadline. If you intend to take a Psychology GRE that is scheduled at a time that falls shortly after our deadline, please contact the Department to determine if we will accept results of that exam.

Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:

• removed any deficiencies in admission requirements;
• completed at least 12 units of 200-level courses in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
• selected a Thesis or Project committee;
• obtained the committee's approval of a proposal for the thesis or project (as indicated by committee members' signatures on the Department's thesis/project approval form); and
• passed the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE) or secured approval for a WPE waiver.

The student will complete the Advancement to Candidacy form after planning a degree program in consultation with a Psychology advisor and members of the student's thesis/project committee. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval.

Units required for the MA: 30, each with a grade of ''C'' or better
Minimum required GPA: 3.0

A. Required Core Courses (10 units)

(3)	PSYC 200	Methods in Empirical Psychology (PSYC 8, PSYC 101, PSYC 102)
(3)	PSYC 203	Experimental Design I (Corequisite: PSYC 292 )
(1)	PSYC 292	Laboratory
(3)	Program Track course (see below for guidelines, and consult an advisor in order to determine the appropriate course)
Guidelines for Program Track Course
Students in the Counseling Psychology option should take EDC 231 or PSYC 268.
Students in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology option should take PSYC 209.
Pre-doctoral and General Master's students should select one of the following:
	PSYC 209	Seminar in Systems of Psychology
	PSYC 210	Theories of Personality
	PSYC 216	Current Literature in Personnel and Organizational Psychology (Course work in personnel and organizational psychology)
	PSYC 217	Current Literature in Personality and Social Psychology (Course work in personality and social psychology)
	PSYC 251	Developmental Processes (PSYC 148 or PSYC 149)

B. Other Course Requirements (16 units)

(16) Select 16 units of approved Psychology elective courses; at least 9 units must be 200-level courses*

*With advisor approval, a maximum of 6 units in related fields may be applied to this requirement.

C. Culminating Requirement (4-6 units)

(4) PSYC 500A Culminating Experience (advancement to candidacy and permission of graduate coordinator)
(2) PSYC 500B* Continuing Culminating Experience (PSYC 500A)

*Students must enroll in PSYC 500B if thesis/project is not satisfactorily completed while enrolled in PSYC 500A.

The Counseling Psychology option is designed specifically for those students pursuing a career as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT). The requirements for the program are specified by Section 4980.37 through Section 4980.41 of the Business and Professional Code of California, Chapter 13, Article 1, regulating the licensing of Marriage and Family Therapists by the State of California. Students must complete each of the courses listed below, or select appropriate courses where a choice is indicated. Further, students must designate the Counseling Psychology option when applying for advancement to candidacy.

Students are strongly advised to remain in communication with both the Psychology Department and the licensing board, since licensing requirements may change. Thus, the list of courses shown below for the Counseling Psychology program is subject to modification.

Note: Students should contact the Psychology Department for revisions in either courses or academic units.

A. Required Core Courses (10 units)

(3)	PSYC 200	Methods in Empirical Psychology (PSYC 8, PSYC 101, PSYC 102)
(3)	PSYC 203	Experimental Design I (Corequisite: PSYC 292)
(1)	PSYC 292	Laboratory
(3)	PSYC 268	Advanced Psychopathology OR
	EDC 231	Diagnosis and Treatment Planning (EDC 214, EDC 216, EDC 280; approval as a candidate in the Counselor Education Program.)

B. Required Courses (33 units)

(3)	PSYC 201	Professional Issues and Child Abuse Reporting (Graduate status)
(3)	PSYC 206	Tests and Measurement
(3)	PSYC 210	Theories of Personality
(3)	PSYC 220	Psychopharmacology
(3)	PSYC 223	Theories and Techniques of Counseling and Psychotherapy (PSYC 168)
(3)	PSYC 225	Family Therapy (Graduate status) OR
	EDC 234*	Seminar: Marriage and Family Counseling (EDC 214, EDC 216, EDC 280; approval as a candidate in the Counselor Education Program. Corequisite: For MFCC Specialization: EDC 476)
(2)	PSYC 227	Pre-Practicum (PSYC 223)
(3)	PSYC 235	Counseling of Multicultural Groups
(3)	PSYC 236	Human Sexuality, Partner Abuse, and Couples Counseling
(1)	PSYC 250	Alcohol and Chemical Dependency: Detection and Treatment OR
	EDC 233	Substance Abuse and the Family (EDC 210, EDC 212, EDC 214 recommended; classified student in Counselor Education Program; or instructor permisison)
(3)	PSYC 251	Developmental Processes (PSYC 148 or PSYC 149)
(3)	PSYC 253	Child Therapy

C. Practicum Requirement (13 units)

See department for official revisions.

(10)	PSYC 400 **	Practicum in Counseling and Psychotherapy (PSYC 201, PSYC 223, PSYC 227, PSYC 268, and either PSYC 225, PSYC 235 or PSYC 253)
(3)	PSYC 410	Fieldwork in Clinical and Counseling Psychology (PSYC 201, PSYC 223, PSYC 227, PSYC 268, and either PSYC 225, PSYC 235, or PSYC 253)

D. Culminating Requirement (4 units)

(4) PSYC 500A Culminating Experience (Advancement to candidacy and permission of the graduate coordinator)

* Students are encouraged to meet with faculty advisor prior to registration. Not more than two EDC courses may be taken.
** Students enrolling in PSYC 400 must have professional liability insurance in force with minimum limits of $1 million per incident and $3 million per year; contact the Psychology Department Office or the Graduate Coordinator for more information about this requirement.

REQUIREMENTS - MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE - INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY OPTION

The field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology (I/O Psychology) covers all aspects of psychology in the workplace, including such sub-topics as: organizational development, leadership, performance evaluation, personnel selection, test validation and development, work teams, training and personality influences.

The Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration at Sacramento State is designed to give broad-based training in the relevant content areas as well as provide a strong methodological background. Students obtaining the Master's degree should be prepared for a career as a personnel manager, a testing specialist, a member of an I/O consulting group; they should also be prepared for further graduate work at the doctoral level. By meeting all of the requirements for the degree, students will have met the master's level educational competencies identified by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Students are strongly advised to keep in contact with professors in the Psychology Department for academic advising.

Community College Instructor · University Professor · Marriage and Family Therapist · Mental Health Worker · Drug Abuse Counselor · Career Counselor · Behavior Analyst · Personnel Analyst/Manager · Test Validation and Development Specialist · Training Specialist · Research Analyst · Research Technician

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