You are in the official 1998-99 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Psychology
School of Natural Sciences
AROLDO RODRIGUES, Chair
BEVERLY KARAU, Department Administrative Assistant
Psychology and Human Services Bldg., Room 234
(559) 278-2691
http://psych.csufresno.edu/
Minor in Psychology
Pupil Personnel Credential with
an Advanced Specialization in School Psychology
Faculty
Aroldo Rodrigues, Chair
Undergraduate Adviser: Jean M. Ritter
Graduate Adviser: Marilyn S. Wilson
Sergio Aguilar, Barbara H. Basden, David R. Basden, Thomas E. Breen, Douglas
Cody Brooks, Karen T. Carey, William C. Coe, Arnold M. Cooper, Christine
Edmondson, Samuel S. Franklin, Alex Gonzalez, Constance J. Jones, Robert
V. Levine, Ernst L. Moerk, Terry G. Newell, Paul C. Price, Matthew J. Sharps,
Michael J. Thackrey, Marilyn S. Wilson, Lynnette C. Zelezny
Psychology
Psychology is concerned with the scientific study of human behavior and
consciousness, and the applications of these findings to the areas of home,
school work, and social relations. It covers topics such as learning, cognition,
motivation, personality, psycho physiology, sexuality, group processes,
cultural factors, and abnormal behavior. Psychology is an area for students
interested in learning about the behavior of humans and other organisms.
The Department of Psychology provides a variety of opportunities for students.
We have an undergraduate major that can be tailored as a strong liberal
education, a preprofessional degree or as preparation for graduate study
in psychology. In addition, we have two advanced degrees providing professional
training in psychology. Our program gives considerable emphasis to psychology
as an empirical science, including research design, data analysis and interpretation,
and computer skills.
As preparation for graduate work in psychology, our undergraduate major
is one of the strongest and most respected in the CSU System. Our better
students do well in the Ph.D. programs into which they are often accepted.
Our undergraduate program provides a solid background for liberal arts majors
choosing to enter business or other more specialized vocations immediately
after graduation.
Faculty and Facilities
All full-time and some part-time members of the department hold Ph.D.
degrees in psychology and many are licensed as psychologists for private
practice by the state of California. Our faculty represents a wide range
of theoretical orientations and interests that include most of the major
areas in American psychology.
A comprehensive test library is maintained for programs in the testing and
clinical areas. Complete video facilities are available for preparing training
materials and for research and instruction. Several university computer
terminals are located in the department area and the department has several
microcomputers of its own for instruction and research. A computerized Bio-lab
is also available for training and research in biofeedback and psychophysiological
studies. The Department of Psychology employs technicians who construct
specialized equipment for research and teaching purposes.
Career Opportunities
In addition to learning theoretical views and research methods, students
often have the opportunity to apply psychological principles of counseling
and testing in community settings. Students who earn the M.S. degree obtain
certification as school psychologists. There are openings in mental health,
public schools, community colleges, and other agencies for these advanced
students.
Current surveys show that about one-third of psychology graduates become
employed in business and related vocations, one-third in education, and
one- third in clinical and counseling vocations.
The B.A. degree does not train a person to work as a professional psychologist.
However, a number of jobs related to psychology can be entered without advanced
education. Some examples are employment interviewers, personnel managers,
market researchers, management trainees, probation officers, and mental
health workers.
Our 30-unit M.A. degree provides a strong background for further graduate
study toward the doctoral (Ph.D.) degree. In the 79-unit M.S./School Psychology
degree, students learn many clinical skills (psychotherapy, psychological
assessment, etc.) that lead to employment possibilities in the schools and
mental health settings.
Professional psychologists are employed in colleges and universities as
instructors, researchers, and counselors. State and federal governments
utilize psychologists in a variety of agencies and settings (mental hospitals,
rehabilitation centers, prisons, employment testing, and personnel work).
Finally, some psychologists are in private practice as counselors and psychotherapists,
or consulting psychologists.
