You are in the official 1997-98 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Psychology
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Psychology Major
Major requirements (40 units)
A. Core Courses (all required): Psych 10, 42, 144 (12 units)
B. Applications Area
(select 2): Psych 160T, 162, 166, 169, 175, 176, 177 (6-8 units)
C. Basic Content Area
(select 2): Psych 134, 150T, 154, 155 (7-8 units)
D. Basic Processes Area
(select 2): Psych 120T, 121, 122, 124, 125, 128 (7-8 units)
E. Quantitative Applications Area
(select 1): Psych 143, 145, 149 (4 units)
F. History and Systems: Psych 182 (4 units)
G. Psychology Electives (see Advising Notes)
General Education (51 units)
Electives and remaining degree requirements (33-44* units)
(see Degree Requirements); may be used toward
a dual major or minor
Total (124 units)
__________
* This figure takes into consideration that one General Education CORE and
a maximum of two BREADTH courses also may be applied to satisfy up to 8
units of psychology major requirements (see General
Education). Courses may be selected from Psych 10, 36, 42 (CORE), 61,
132, 171. Consult the psychology department chair or department advising
office for additional details.
Advising Notes
- Students desiring to major in psychology must do the following before
being permitted to enroll in restricted, 100-level psychology courses (courses
with prerequisites):
a. formally apply to the major, at which time they will be placed in a pre-psychology major category, and
b. complete Psych 10, 42, and 144 (or their equivalents) with grades of
C or better and have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.
Students may apply for upper-division psychology major status in the Psychology Department Advising Office during the semester in which they expect to successfully complete the above requirements. Approval will be contingent upon satisfactory fulfillment of these requirements.
All students, including transfer students and students changing to the psychology major, must request the Psychology Department to screen their transcripts (to be provided by the student) for successful completion of the requirements before enrollment in restricted, 100-level psychology courses will be permitted. Currently enrolled students who wish to change to the psychology major must first obtain the change-of-major form in the Office of Advising Services, Joyal Administration, Room 121. - No course used to satisfy General Education CAPSTONE requirements may be used to satisfy psychology major requirements.
- CR/NC grading is not permitted in the psychology major.
- General Education and elective units may be used toward a dual major or minor (see Dual Major or departmental minor). Consult the appropriate department chair, program coordinator, or faculty adviser for further information.
- Although not required, psychology electives may be applied toward the major.
Preprofessional Preparation
A psychology major is often used as preparation for other professions.
For preprofessional programs in law, dentistry, medicine, and the ministry,
see the Preprofessional Preparation units section
and consult an advisor in the psychology department.
Credential Programs
The Department of Psychology offers the M.S. degree. Degree requirements
coincide with those of the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with an Advanced
Specialization in School Psychology.
Application forms and advising are available through the coordinator of
the School Psychology Program within the Psychology Department.
Psychology Minor
A Psychology Minor must have prior approval of the psychology department.
The minor consists of 22 units of psychology courses, 15 of which must be
upper division. The specific courses may be selected to satisfy the needs
of individual students but must be worked out in advance with an advisor
from the department and be approved by the department.
Graduate Programs
The Master of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Psychology are designed
to provide students with a broad background in psychology while allowing
them opportunities to pursue areas of special interest. Completion of the
requirements for either master's degree prepares students for positions
in community mental health service agencies, school settings, community
college teaching, research, or entry into Ph.D. or Psy.D. programs in Psychology.
Admission to the Master of Arts and Master of Science programs in Psychology
is based upon the satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses selected
from the core courses required for the California State University, Fresno
undergraduate major in psychology, or their equivalent. Potential graduate
students should submit transcripts of all academic work and three letters
of recommendation. In addition, students must submit scores from the GRE
general test and the subject test in psychology to be considered for admission.
School Psychology program applicants must submit scores from the CBEST as
well and complete other prerequisites as outlined in the department's application.
All students must submit applications to both the Division of Graduate Studies
and the Department of Psychology.
Admission to the graduate program in psychology is based on the evaluation
of a student's capacity to successfully complete Master's level work. The
graduate committee uses multiple criteria to assess an applicant's qualifications
including coursework completed, grades, test scores, essays, and letters
of recommendation. In addition, an applicant's professional interests and
goals are evaluated in terms of the interests of the faculty and the resources
of the Department of Psychology. Separate evaluations of applicants are
made for the M.A. general/experimental program and the M.S. School Psychology
program. Although many applicants meet our minimum admission requirements,
we are limited in the number of positions available and many qualified applicants
cannot be offered admission.
Admission to classified graduate standing requires a minimum undergraduate
grade point average of 3.0, as well as a minimum grade point average of
3.0 in undergraduate psychology courses, a combined GRE Aptitude Test score
of 1,000 or higher, and a score on the GRE Subject Test in Psychology equivalent
to the 60th percentile or higher. Applicants lacking minimum scores in one
area with compensating strengths in other areas may apply. The Department
of Psychology does not typically admit unclassified students into the graduate
program.
(See also Admission to Graduate Standing,
Advancement to Candidacy, Program Requirements, and Criteria
for Thesis and Project.)
Under the direction of a graduate adviser, a coherent program is prepared
and submitted, directed toward the achievement of the student's goal in
graduate study.
Core Course Requirements for M.A. and M.S. Degrees
Psych 244* (4 units)
Psych 200T or 250T or 255T (one course) (3-4 units)
Psych 220T or 225T (one course) (3-4 units)
Psych 231* (3 units)
Psych 299 (Thesis) (3-6 units)
Total (16-21 units)
__________
* Grades of A or B must be earned in Psych 231 and Psych 244 for graduation
credit in these courses.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts degree program in Psychology may be arranged to include
interest areas such as general experimental, developmental, and social psychology,
as well as special Master of Arts programs for individuals. This 30-unit
degree program is intended primarily to prepare graduates for entry into
doctoral programs in general experimental, developmental, social, or clinical
psychology, and may serve as preparation for community college teaching
or professional employment requiring a master's degree.
Core requirements (see above) (16-21 units)
Electives in psychology or related fields (9-14 units)
Total (30 units)
See the department for other recommendations related to the general experimen
tal, developmental, and social program interest areas.
Master of Science Degree Requirements
The Master of Science degree in Psychology is a three-year, full-time
graduate program and requires a minimum of 79 units. Practicum experience
is required during the first two years of coursework. The internship experience,
completed during the third year of the program, requires a minimum of 1,200
hours with at least half of these hours completed in a school setting.
Core requirements (see above) (16-21 units)
Electives (see below) (51 units)
Internship in School Psychology (Psych 267) (12 units)
Total (79-84 units)
Students with an interest in clinical psychology should include the following
courses among their electives: Psych 280, 281, 282, or 286 (4 units), 283T
(3-4 units).
Students who wish to become eligible for the Pupil Personnel Credential
with a specialization in School Psychology as granted by the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing should contact the department for application
materials and additional information.
The following electives, in addition to the core requirements, may
be used to obtain a M.S. degree in Psychology: Psych 200T, 225T, 277, 278,
279 (21 units); Psych 281, 284, 285, 288 (16 units); COUN 201, 240; Psych
220T, 255T, 270T, 283T (19 units)
Students with an interest in School Psychology should complete their practicum
in a school setting. Contact the department for further details and other
requirements.
Specific requirements for advancement to candidacy for all degrees and credentials
include a score above the 60th percentile (ETS norms) on the GRE Subject
Test in Psychology.
