Psychology, Bachelor of Arts
MSMU Psychology Major Mission Statement
The psychology major guides students through the scientific methods, theoretical approaches, and practical applications in the study of human behavior and mental processes. Grounded in the MSMU mission and liberal arts tradition, the Psychology department is committed to employing innovative and evidence-based teaching to empower individuals to become socially responsible global citizens. With exposure to the basic and applied fields of psychology, students develop, practice, and/or engage in:
- professional communication skills
- scientific inquiry and critical thinking
- ethically solving complex social problems in a diverse world
- career exploration and preparation
- leadership development and service in the surrounding communities
Program Requirements for Psychology B.A.
In addition to fulfilling general education requirements, all psychology majors are required to take the following courses.
The psychology major guides students through the scie
ntific methods, theoretical
approaches, and practical applications in the stu
of human behavior and mental
processes. Grounded in the MSMU mission and liberal
arts tradition, the
Psychology department is committed to employing inn
ovative and evidence-
based teaching to empower individuals to become soc
ially responsible global
citizens. With exposure to the basic and applied fie
lds of psychology, students
develop, practice, and/or engage in:
professional communication skills
scientific inquiry and critical thinking
ethically solving complex social problems in a dive
rse world
career exploration and preparation
leadership development and service in the surroundin
g communities
Foundation Courses (9 units)
Methods Courses (12 units)
Experiential Methods
Students must take 3 units from the following experiential methods courses:
| PSY 111 | Applied Statistical Computing | 3 |
| PSY 155 | Psychological Testing | 3 |
| PSY 194 | Advanced Research Apprenticeship | 0-3 |
| PSY 167A | Psychological Methods Special Topics | 1.0-3.0 |
Knowledge Base (15 units)
Students must take 3 units in each of the following Psychology knowledge base domains: Sociocultural, Cognitive, Developmental, Biological, and Mental/Physical Health.
Sociocultural (3 units):
| PSY 145 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 159 | Social Psychology & Society | 3 |
| PSY 167B | Sociocultural Knowledge Base Special Topics | 1.0-3.0 |
Cognitive (3 units):
| PSY 161 | Cognitive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 134 | Learning and Memory Processes | 3 |
| PSY 160 | Cognition and Perception | 3 |
| PSY 167C | Cognitive Knowledge Base Special Topics | 1.0-3.0 |
Developmental (3 units):
| PSY 12 | Lifespan/Human Development | 3 |
| PSY 102 | Issues in Human Development | 3 |
| PSY 13 | Child Development | 3 |
| PSY 15 | Global Lifespan Development | 3 |
| PSY 128 | Adulthood and Aging | 3 |
| PSY 167D | Developmental Knowledge Base Special Topics | 1.0-3.0 |
Biological (3 units):
| PSY 52 | Biological Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 157 | Brain and Behavior | 3 |
| PSY 167E | Biological Knowledge Base Special Topics | 1.0-3.0 |
Mental/Physical Health (3 units):
Practice (3 units)
Capstone (3 units)
Electives (12 units)
Students must take 12 additional units of upper division psychology courses. Below is a list of examples of such courses; however, additional options exist. Consult with your advisor to discuss courses that fit your interests and goals. These applied courses cannot count towards other psychology requirements.
| PSY 104 | Career Counseling | 3 |
| PSY 107 | Positive Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Gender Issues in Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 112 | Careers and Observation in Child Development Settings | 3 |
| PSY 113 | Learning in Children and Adolescents across Cultures | 3 |
| PSY 118 | Interventions for Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| PSY 119 | Alcohol and Substance Abuse | 3 |
| PSY 120 | Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 121 | Grief and Bereavement | 3 |
| PSY 127 | Immigrant Experience | 3 |
| PSY 129 | Motivation | 3 |
| PSY 138 | Managing Non-Profit Organizations | 3 |
| PSY 139 | Child Abuse and Family Violence | 3 |
| PSY 140 | Personality Disorders | 3 |
| PSY 144 | Psychology of Prejudice | 3 |
| PSY 148 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 151 | Divorce and Remarriage | 3 |
| PSY 158 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 163 | Communicating in a Diverse World | 3 |
| PSY 165 | Medical Treatments of Mental Illness | 3 |
| PSY 167 | Special Topics in Psychology | 1.0-3.0 |
| PSY 172 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 175 | Human Sexuality | 3 |
| PSY 178 | Psychology and Film | 3 |
| PSY 182 | History and Systems of Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 185 | Psychology of Law | 3 |
| PSY 186 | Violence Against Women | 3 |
| PSY 188 | Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| PSY 197 | Play=Learning: Child Development in Community | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 54
Plus General Education requirements and electives totaling 124 semester units, including the Language requirement.
*PSY 190 or PSY 195 fulfills the capstone requirement for Psychology.