Majors and Programs

Students are introduced to the biopsychosocial approach that addresses the interdisciplinarity among biological, psychological and social factors that impact mental processes and behaviors. Psychology faculty provide strong scientific applications in psychology for inquiry, critical thinking, and professional development. In addition, students are offered space for discovery of diverse languages, cultures, knowledge, and models of being, under the lens of advantaged and disadvantaged groups. Students majoring in an academic area within the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences are required to take a major field assessment examination during the semester in which they graduate. Students should contact their major field advisors concerning specifics of the examinations.

Our tradition is to strengthen your personal relevance to diversity and inclusiveness, growth and exploration, and instill values of academic excellence, effective communication, and attitudes of social responsibility and sustainability in a multicultural global community.

The Department sponsors a number of honorary societies and clubs, including Psi Chi, the international psychology honor society and the Psychology Association, a student organization for psychology majors.

Careers in Psychology

• Education (e.g. school counseling)
• Research (e.g. experimental psychology)
• Counselors or Psychotherapists
• Social workers and child protective service workers
• Industrial or Organizational Psychologists
• Psychometrist or Clinician
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Art, Music, and Drama Therapists
• Human resource management
• Well-being, Physical and Mental Health Counselors
• Sports Psychologists
• Law Enforcement, Correction, and Probation Officers, Detectives and Forensic Psychologists

Other health, environmental, government and private industry positions requiring a liberal arts background

• Paralegal careers and Law School
• Ecological and Sustainability Issues and Disaster Recovery
• Medical careers and Psychiatry
• Social Work Programs
• Graduate Psychology Programs

“I found that the psychology program gave me the freedom to pursue courses and activities which I found interesting. The faculty and staff also provided additional opportunities to learn more about areas in psychology that interested me along with ardent support in the pursuit of my goals. The courses, small class sizes, and projects allowed me to learn as much about myself as I did about the course material and helped me to grow not only as a student but as a person.” –Jeremiah Boatright, 2020 Graduate

“After changing my major a couple of times before deciding to stick with Psychology I was lost, luckily the Professors in the Psychology department welcomed me into the program with a helping hand. Choosing Psychology felt right when I was in the classroom simply because the Professors always taught the subject so passionate which made me eager to learn. I’ve appreciated the constant reassurance and help from my professors in this department. Seeing my instructors love their degree in Psychology gave me hope for mine because I know I am passionate about the subject as well.” –Janelle Galvan, 2020 Graduate

“The psychology program at SRSU is a dream. The professors are excellent at what they do, they know how to teach and are aware that they are shaping the future generation. They are wise beyond their years and there is no length that they will not go to if it means assisting you with the coursework. They see you as human beings, they treat you with respect and the courses they teach are the best possibilities to learn for not only careers but even life in general.” –Kimberly Luna, 2020 Graduate

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

Total Credit Hours Required for Bachelor of Arts in Psychology:  120