Psychology
The psychology department offers two B.A. degrees in Psychology, one with an optional Emphasis in Industrial & Organizational Psychology. Psychology is an impacted major, meaning that the impaction criteria and prep courses listed below must be satisfied before entering the major.
Impaction Criteria are as follows:
• 45 units with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
*Note: If you became a Psychology pre-major or major prior to Fall 2015, the
cumulative GPA requirement was 2.4 or higher.
• Complete Prep for the Major classes listed below with a C or better (exceptions for 201 & 280 noted below)
Preparation for the Major Course Requirements (20 Units)
PSY 101 Intro Psychology (3) – prerequisite course for almost all Psychology courses
PSY 201 Academic and Career Opportunities in Psychology (1; Credit/No Credit)
PSY 211 Introduction to Cognitive Psychology (3)
PSY 230 Developmental Psychology (3)
PSY 260 Intro to Physiological Psychology (3) – BIOL 100 is a prerequisite for this course
PSY 280 Statistical Methods in Psychology (4)
OR PSY 281 Data Analysis in Psychology (2)
plus a statistics lecture course (3; e.g., STAT 119)
• A grade of B or better is required for the I/O Emphasis
BIOL 100 General Biology (3) – Only the lecture component is needed
Degree Paths for the Psychology Major
Upper-division course requirements vary by degree. Click on a link below for more information.
Bachelor’s of Applied Arts & Sciences
(Open only to students who entered SDSU on an Associate Degree for Transfer contract)
Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts & Sciences with an Emphasis in I/O Psychology
How to Become a Psychology Major (with or without an I/O Emphasis)
Students who began their college career at SDSU (i.e., did not transfer to SDSU) can declare the pre-major at any time. Visit the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office (LSN 105) as soon as you decide to declare the pre-major to discuss the classes that are needed in order to graduate. Pre-majors are automatically placed in the major when impaction criteria are satisfied; no paperwork is needed.
Transfer students who want to switch to Psychology (with or without the I/O Emphasis) must first meet impaction criteria (see Impaction Criteria) before being eligible to declare the major. Come by the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office (LSN 105) for assistance planning coursework needed to enter the major and paperwork to formally declare the major. Important note: if you are a transfer student who entered SDSU on an Associate Degree for Transfer, please visit the Office of Advising and Evaluations to understand the implications of switching majors for the AD-T contract you have with SDSU.