If you’re considering a major in psychology, San Jose State University could be the right choice for you. SJSU’s Department of Psychology offers a rigorous and diverse course of study for students interested in pursuing careers in psychology. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the SJSU psychology major requirements that you need to know.
Overview of the SJSU Psychology Major
The SJSU psychology major program offers students a broad foundation in the science of human behavior, including the biological, cognitive, developmental, social, and clinical aspects of psychology. In order to obtain a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from SJSU, students must complete the following requirements:
Lower Division Requirements
- PSYC 001 – Introduction to Psychology
- PSYC 050 – Elementary Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
- PSYC 051 – Research Methods in Psychology
Upper Division Requirements
- PSYC 100W – Writing Workshop
- PSYC 105 – Theories of Personality
- PSYC 120 – Human Brain and Behavior
- PSYC 130 – Cognitive Psychology
- PSYC 180 – Abnormal Psychology
- PSYC 190 – Social Psychology
- Four additional upper-division psychology courses (12 units)
Other Requirements
- A minimum of 120 units, including general education requirements, must be completed
- Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all courses required for the psychology major
Course Descriptions
PSYC 001 – Introduction to Psychology
This introductory course covers the basic principles of psychology, including the history of the field, biological and physiological processes, cognition and perception, learning and memory, developmental psychology, social psychology, personality, and abnormal psychology. Students will be exposed to a variety of research methods and experimental techniques used in psychology.
PSYC 050 – Elementary Statistics for Behavioral Sciences
This course focuses on the basic statistical techniques used in psychological research, including descriptive statistics, probability theory, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression analysis, and analysis of variance. Students will learn how to apply statistical methods to data analysis and interpretation.
PSYC 051 – Research Methods in Psychology
This course covers the research methods used in psychological science, including experimental design, survey research, correlational research, case studies, and qualitative research methods. Students will learn how to design and conduct research studies, collect data, analyze results, and present findings.
PSYC 100W – Writing Workshop
This course focuses on effective writing skills for psychology, including writing research reports, literature reviews, and experimental proposals. Students will learn how to organize and present findings in a clear and concise manner, and how to engage in critical analysis of research literature.
PSYC 105 – Theories of Personality
This course covers the major theories of personality, including psychodynamic, behaviorist, humanistic, and cognitive theories. Students will learn how different theories explain the development and expression of personality traits, and how to critically evaluate different approaches to personality psychology.
PSYC 120 – Human Brain and Behavior
This course provides an in-depth examination of the relationship between brain function and behavior, including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropsychology. Students will learn how the nervous system controls behavior, and how to critically evaluate research on brain function and dysfunction.
PSYC 130 – Cognitive Psychology
This course focuses on the study of cognitive processes, including attention, perception, memory, language, reasoning, and problem-solving. Students will learn how to critically evaluate research on cognitive processes, and how to apply cognitive psychology principles to real-world problems.
PSYC 180 – Abnormal Psychology
This course covers the major classifications of abnormal behavior and psychopathology, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia. Students will learn how to diagnose and treat mental disorders, and how to critically evaluate different approaches to abnormal psychology.
PSYC 190 – Social Psychology
This course focuses on the study of social behavior, including social cognition, social influence, attitudes, and group dynamics. Students will learn how to critically evaluate research on social behavior, and how to apply social psychology principles to real-world social problems.
Conclusion
As you can see, the SJSU psychology major requirements are quite comprehensive and challenging, but also very rewarding. Students who complete the program will be well-prepared for graduate school in psychology or related fields, or for careers in a variety of fields such as healthcare, education, social work, human resources, or government. If you’re interested in pursuing a major in psychology, SJSU is definitely worth checking out!
