DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Jack Mearns
DEPARTMENT OFFICE
Humanities 830M
DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
http://hss.fullerton.edu/psychology
ADVISEMENT OFFICE
Humanities 830J
OFFICE OF GRADUATE DEGREES AND UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Humanities 835N
PROGRAMS OFFERED
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Minor in Psychology
Master of Arts in Psychology
Master of Science in Psychology (Clinical)
FACULTY
Kristin Beals, Michael Birnbaum, Melinda Blackman, Iris Blandon-Gitlin, Barbara Cherry, Russ Espinoza, David Gerkens, Aaron Goetz, Allen Gottfried, Jinni Harrigan, Richard Lippa, William Marelich, Jack Mearns, Mindy Mechanic, Steven Miller, Eriko Miyahara, Lisa Mori, Douglas Navarick, Jessie Peissig, Nancy Ryba, Christine Scher, Nancy Segal, Susan Sy, Jennifer Trevitt, Laura Zettel-Watson
ADVISERS
Undergraduate: Kristin Beals, Melinda
Blackman, Eriko Miyahara, Christine Scher, Joanne Stohs
MA Coordinator: Melinda Blackman
MS Coordinator: Christine Scher
INTRODUCTION
Psychology is a science whose central theme is the study of behavior. Psychology involves studying how we interact with one another and our environment. Psychology is practical; it is concerned with improving our quality of life. To achieve these ends, psychologists work in a broad range of research and applied settings. The psychology major is designed to provide each student with a comprehensive overview of the main fields of psychology and the methods used in psychological research. The major is also designed to assist the student in selecting elective courses that can form a concentration in an area of the student’s interest. These specialty areas might include clinical/community, social, developmental/child/aging, industrial/organizational, learning/cognitive, biopsychology/health psychology and legal/forensic psychology. The major provides a basis for careers in a variety of psychology-related occupations, such as mental health agencies, hospitals, schools, businesses and public organizations. The major also prepares students for graduate training in fields such as psychological research; clinical psychology; marriage, family therapy; teaching; social work; law; business and management; and public administration. The Psychology Department has its own web pages (http://hss.fullerton.edu/psychology) that introduce you to faculty members, describe courses and answer your questions. You may also call the Psychology Department at 657-278-3514.
All students who declare psychology as their major should meet with one of the undergraduate advisement coordinators (Humanities 830J, 657-278-3102) during their first semester to develop a study plan. Students should also obtain a copy of the Psychology Department Student Handbook and Careers for Psychology Majors from the department office. Early consultation with an adviser is especially important for those interested in pursuing graduate training, careers in psychology or related fields, teaching credentials or a double major or minor.
Community College Transfer Students: A maximum of nine lower-division units of psychology courses may be applied toward the 41 units required for the psychology major. The nine units must fit the course description requirements listed in this catalog for Psychology 101, 201 and 202. Additional lower-division units taken in psychology at a community college and approved by the university may be used for university credit for graduation.
TEACHING CREDENTIAL INFORMATION
The bachelor’s degree in psychology may be effectively combined with subject matter studies necessary for the multiple subject teaching credential (K-8). Undergraduates are encouraged to work with the Center for Careers in Teaching (657-278-7130) as early as possible in their academic careers to plan efficient course selections for general education, the major and electives. With careful planning, it may be possible to enter the credential program in the senior year of the bachelor’s degree. Postgraduate students should contact the Admission to Teacher Education office in the College of Education (657-278-3352) to obtain information on attending an overview presentation.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology requires a minimum of 120 units, which includes courses for the major, General Education, all university requirements and free electives.
Lower Division (9 units)
Psychology 101 Introductory Psychology (3)
Psychology 201 Elementary Statistics (3)
Psychology 202 Research Methods in Psychology (3)
Upper Division (32 units)
Required Courses (26 units)
Two of the following experimental psychology courses (6 units):
Psychology 302 Learning and Memory (3)
Psychology 303 Sensation and Perception (3)
Psychology 304 Comparative Animal Behavior (3)
Psychology 305 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Psychology 306 Biopsychology (3)
One of the following laboratory classes (2 units):
Psychology 302L Laboratory in Learning and Memory (2)
Psychology 303L Laboratory in Sensation and Perception (2)
Psychology 304L Laboratory in Comparative Animal behavior (2)
Psychology 305L Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology (2)
Psychology 306L Laboratory in Biopsychology (2)
Two of the following (6 units):
Psychology 331 Psychology of Personality (3)
Psychology 341 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Psychology 351 Social Psychology (3)
Psychology 361 Developmental Psychology (3)
One of the following (3 units):
Psychology 311 Educational Psychology (3)
Psychology 317 Legal Psychology (3)
Psychology 362 Psychology of Aging (3)
Psychology 391 Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3)
All of the following (9 units):
Psychology 300 Computer Applications in Psychology (3)
Psychology 461 Psychological Testing (3)
Psychology 495 Field Placement in Psychology (3)
Elective 300- and 400-Level Courses (6 units)
To correspond to your career goals and interests, a wide range of 300- and 400-level elective courses is available. These elective courses should be selected in consultation with a psychology department academic adviser.
One 300- or 400-level elective in Psychology (3)
One 400-level elective, excluding Psychology 461, 495, and 496 (3)
Special Requirements
Each course counted toward the major must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher. In addition, the overall minimum GPA must be 2.0 or greater for all units attempted in Psychology courses whether the course is counted toward the major or not; whether upper or lower division; or whether taken at Cal State Fullerton or elsewhere. No more than a total of three units of either Directed Empirical Research (Psychology 498) or Directed Library Research (Psychology 499) may be applied toward the major. No more than three units of Field Placement (Psychology 495) may be applied toward the major. Student-to-Student Tutorial (Psychology 496) may not be used toward the major, but three units of this course may be counted toward units to graduate from the university. A minimum of 21 units counted toward the major must have been completed in psychology at CSUF.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
To satisfy the course component of the University’s Upper- Division Writing Requirement, psychology majors must complete with at least a “C” (2.0), three courses totaling eight units. These same courses satisfy a portion of the requirements for the major.
Two of the following lecture/discussion courses:
Psychology 302 Learning and Memory (3)
Psychology 303 Sensation and Perception (3)
Psychology 304 Comparative Animal Behavior (3)
Psychology 305 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Psychology 306 Biopsychology (3)
One of the following lab courses:
Psychology 302L Laboratory in Learning and Memory (2)
Psychology 303L Laboratory in Sensation and Perception (2)
Psychology 304L Laboratory in Comparative Animal Behavior (2)
Psychology 305L Laboratory in Cognitive Psychology (2)
Psychology 306L Laboratory in Biopsychology (2)
MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY
Lower Division (9 units)
Psychology 101 Introductory Psychology (3)
Psychology 201 Elementary Statistics (3)*
Psychology 202 Research Methods in Psychology (3)
Upper Division (6 units)
One of the following (3 units):
Psychology 302 Learning and Memory (3)
Psychology 303 Sensation and Perception (3)
Psychology 304 Comparative Animal Behavior (3)
Psychology 305 Cognitive Psychology (3)
Psychology 306 Biopsychology (3)
One of the following (3 units):
Psychology 331 Psychology of Personality (3)
Psychology 341 Abnormal Psychology (3)
Psychology 351 Social Psychology (3)
Psychology 361 Developmental Psychology (3)
Electives (6 units)
*Students who complete Psychology 201, or who have completed an articulated community college equivalent, take 6 units of upper-division electives. Alternatively, students may substitute for Psychology 201 a similar course in their major that is approved by the Psychology Department and take 9 units of upper-division electives.
Special Requirements
Each course counted toward the minor must be completed with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher. No more than a total of three units of either Directed Empirical Research (Psychology 498) or Directed Library Research (Psychology 499) may be applied toward the minor. Student-to-Student Tutorial (Psychology 496) may not be used toward the minor, but three units of this course may be counted toward units to graduate from the university. A minimum of 12 units counted toward the minor must have been completed in psychology at CSUF.
Other Minors
The Psychology Department participates in minors in Criminal Justice, Child and Adolescent Studies, Gerontology, Human Services and Women’s Studies. Some coursework may be applied to both the Psychology major and the minor. Twelve units in a minor must be distinct and different from those in the Psychology major, so, in a 21-unit minor, nine units of Psychology may be double counted to satisfy requirements in both the major and the minor.
MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY
The degree program provides advanced coursework and research training in core areas of psychology. Completion of the M.A. can facilitate application to doctoral programs and provide skills important to careers in education, research, the health professions and industry.
Admission to Graduate Standing: Classified
An applicant who meets the requirements listed below, in conjunction with the development of an approved study plan, may be evaluated for classified graduate standing.
1. Satisfaction of the general prerequisites for graduate studies, which include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and a grade point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester units attempted. Applicants are rarely admitted with less than a 3.0 overall grade-point average.
2. A 3.0 average in psychology coursework.
3. Approved lower-division equivalent courses in psychology:
a. Introductory Psychology (e.g., Psychology 101)
b. Elementary Statistics (e.g., Psychology 201)
c. Research Methods in Psychology (e.g., Psychology 202)
4. Approved upper-division equivalent coursework including classes in history of psychology (e.g., Psychology 408), with a grade of “B-” (2.7) or better (if history of psychology is not completed prior to entering the program it may be completed during the program); and advanced statistics (e.g., Psychology 465), with a grade of “B-” (2.7) or better, completed prior to entering or within the first semester. Also four additional psychology classes completed from the areas below; classes must be from four different areas and one must be a lab class:
a. Learning and Memory
b. Cognition/Information Processing
c. Sensation and Perception/Physiological/Biological
d. Social/Personality
e. Abnormal/Clinical
f. Developmental
5. Satisfactory performance in the General (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical) and Advanced Subject/Psychology tests of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
6. Three satisfactory letters of recommendation. One must be from a psychology professor.
7. Meet the University’s Writing Proficiency Requirement.
8. Supervised empirical research experience.
Invitation to the program is based on competitive evaluation of qualifications and is at the sole discretion of the Psychology Department’s Graduate Studies Committee. New students are admitted to the Master of Arts program in the fall only. Both the university and department applications must be completed on time for full consideration.
The deadline for completing online applications to the university is March 1 (see http://www.csumentor.edu). University deadlines may be changed based on enrollment projections.
Departmental application forms may be obtained from http://hss.fullerton.edu/psychology/masterofarts.asp. The deadline for the return of the departmental application form and all supporting materials is March 1.
Admission to Graduate Standing: Conditionally Classified
It may be possible for an applicant with minimal deficiencies in prerequisite requirements, but who is otherwise highly qualified, to be admitted conditionally to the program. Provisions for the removal of these deficiencies would be outlined as part of the conditional acceptance. Provisions must be made for removal of deficiencies prior to granting classified standing. For further information, consult the graduate program adviser.
Study Plan
The Master of Arts in Psychology requires a minimum of 30 units of approved graduate work, including the completion and acceptance by the department of a written thesis that has been defended orally.
Each student, in consultation with the graduate coordinator, will develop a program of study. This program will be outlined on an official university study plan form and submitted to the department’s Graduate Studies Committee for review and approval. To be advanced to candidacy, students must receive a grade of “B-” (2.7) or better on all study plan courses and maintain a 3.0 grade point average overall.
Requirements for the M.A. in Psychology include the following:
500-Level Courses (15 units)
Psychology 500 Issues and Perspectives in Psychological Research (3)
Psychology 510 Experimental Design (3)
Psychology 599 Independent Graduate Research (3)
Two seminars from Psychology 520T Advanced Topics in
Psychological Research (3,3)
400-level Content Courses (9-12 units)
Three 400-level psychology classes must be completed, each from a separate category:*
Applied Research
Cognitive
Social/Personality/Industrial
Clinical
Developmental
Quantitative
Sensory Processes/Physiological/Biological
*A list of qualifying classes for each category is available from the psychology graduate office.
Thesis (3-6 units)
Psychology 598 Thesis Research (3 or 3/3 units)
Students must complete Psychology 500 within their first semester in the program. To be advanced to candidacy for the M.A. degree, students must have received a grade of “B-” (2.7) or better in all study plan classes and maintain a 3.0 grade-point average overall. A successful oral defense of the thesis is also required.
Following university regulations, a maximum of five years is normally allowed for completion of coursework and other requirements.
For further details, contact the Graduate Program office in the Department of Psychology.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY (CLINICAL)
The Master of Science program combines training in scientific and applied areas of clinical psychology. It is based on the scientist-practitioner model. It prepares students for professional work in a variety of settings and for doctoral training in academic and professional programs in clinical psychology. The M.S. program provides supervised research and clinical fieldwork experience. Completion of the coursework prepares the student for Marriage, Family Therapy (MFT) intern registration. A small amount of additional coursework must be taken to qualify the student for the MFT license.
Admission to Graduate Standing: Classified
An applicant who meets the following requirements may be considered for classified graduate standing upon development of an approved study plan:
1. Satisfaction of the general prerequisites for graduate work, which include a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and a grade-point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester units attempted. Applicants are rarely admitted with less than a 3.0 overall grade-point average. (See section of this catalog on Graduate Admissions for complete statement and procedures.)
2. A 3.0 average in psychology
3. A major in psychology* or approved equivalent coursework including the following courses:
Lower Division
Psychology 101 Introductory Psychology
Psychology 201 Elementary Statistics
Psychology 202 Research Methods in Psychology*
Upper Division
Psychology 306 Biopsychology
Psychology 341 Abnormal Psychology*
Psychology 461 Psychological Testing with a grade of B- (2.7) or
better* (completed prior to admission or within the first
semester)
Psychology 465 Advanced Psychological Statistics with a grade of
B- (2.7) or better * (completed prior to admission or within the
first year)
4. Satisfactory performance on both the General and Advanced Psychology Tests of the Graduate Record Examination
5. Three satisfactory letters of recommendation
6. Meeting the university’s Writing Proficiency Requirement
7. Previous paid or volunteer clinical and research experience
8. Completion of a selection interview
New students are admitted to the Master of Science program in the fall only. Those admitted will be selected in the spring from the most qualified applicants, at the sole discretion of the department’s Graduate Studies Committee. An interview of the finalists is required. In addition to the university application, a departmental application form, obtainable at http://hss.fullerton.edu/psychology/masterofscience.asp, must be completed.
The deadline for completing online applications to the university is March 1 (see http://www.csumentor.edu). University deadlines may be changed based on enrollment projections.
The application deadline for returning the departmental application with all materials, including GRE scores is March 1 for fall semester entry. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Admission to Graduate Standing: Conditionally Classified
It may be possible for applicants who have minimal deficiencies in the prerequisite requirements detailed above, but who are otherwise highly qualified, to be admitted with conditionally classified graduate standing. Provisions must be made for removal of deficiencies prior to the granting of classified standing. For further information, consult the graduate program adviser.
Study Plan
The Master of Science in Psychology requires 50 units of approved graduate work, including the completion and acceptance by the department of a written thesis, which has been defended orally.
Students, in consultation with their program adviser, shall develop a study plan that will be submitted to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Psychology for approval. To be advanced to candidacy, students must receive a grade of “B-” (2.7) or better on all study plan courses and maintain a 3.0 grade point average overall.
Core Courses (10 units)
Psychology 501 Professional and Legal Issues in Clinical Psychology (3)**
Psychology 510 Research Design (3)
Psychology 520T Advanced Topics in Psychological Research (3)
Psychology 599 Independent Graduate Research (1)
Clinical Courses (28 units)
Psychology 545 Advanced Psychopathology (3)**
Psychology 547 Theories of Psychological Intervention (3)**
Psychology 548 Psychotherapy Techniques (3)**
Psychology 549 Marriage, Family and Child Therapy (3)**
Psychology 560 Child and Adolescent Treatment (3)**
Psychology 561 Clinical Psychological Assessment (3)**
Psychology 568 Substance Abuse (1)**
Psychology 569 Cross Cultural Psychology (3)**
Psychology 594A Fieldwork (3)**
Psychology 594B Fieldwork (3)**
*Psychology majors are required to ensure that their coursework includes research methods, biopsychology, abnormal psychology, psychological testing, advanced statistics, and supervised research and clinical experience (fieldwork, internship or volunteer).
**Required by Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) for MFT licensure. Please see the program coordinator for additional courses necessary for licensure.
Electives (6 units)
Elective coursework must be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator.
Thesis (6 units)
Psychology 598 Thesis Research (6)
The M.S. Program accepts full-time students only. Part-time study is not possible. Students must complete coursework in the prescribed sequence. The program involves intensive fieldwork experience in clinical settings, emphasizing careful supervision, which includes weekly meetings with Psychology Department faculty and off-campus fieldwork supervisors.
The Psychology Department’s mentor program facilitates students’ early involvement in research, helps students develop their thesis topics and provides academic and career counseling. New students, in consultation with the coordinator, select a mentor prior to their second semester in the program. Students may change mentors at any time by obtaining the agreement of the new mentor, informing the current mentor and consulting with the Graduate Coordinator. It is anticipated that students’ mentors will serve as their thesis advisers in the second year. However, students are free to select a different person for their adviser.
It should be noted that successful completion of coursework is not sufficient to permit continuation in the program. In addition, faculty judgment must be satisfied with respect to the student’s effectiveness and professional and ethical behavior in dealing with clients. Continuation in the program is contingent upon satisfactory performance in all aspects of the program as judged by the Graduate Studies Committee.
PSYCHOLOGY COURSES
Courses are designated as PSYC in the class schedule.
