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for California State University, Fresno.
Department of Psychology
College of Science and Mathematics
CONSTANCE JONES, Chair
SHERI OSBORN, Administrative Support Coordinator
Science II Bldg., Room 312
559.278.2691
http://psych.fresnostate.edu/
B.A. in Psychology
Pre-M.B.A. Major Option
M.A. in Psychology
Applied Behavior Analysis Option
Minor in Psychology
Pupil Personnel Credential with
an Advanced Specialization in School Psychology
Faculty
Constance Jones, Chair
Amanda Mortimer, Undergraduate Advising Coordinator
Lorin Lachs, Graduate Adviser
Amanda Adams
Michael Botwin
Christine Edmondson
Marianne Jackson
Spee Kosloff
Robert Levine
Hong Ni
Karl Oswald
Paul Price
Jean Ritter
Martin Shapiro
Matthew Sharps
Michael Thackrey
Marilyn Wilson
Ron Yockey
Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior -- including human thought, emotion, and action -- and the application of scientific knowledge to the solution of real-world problems. It includes a wide variety of topics, including perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotion, personality, social interaction, development, and abnormal behavior. Psychologists recognize that understanding behavior in all its complexity requires studying it from multiple perspectives. A thorough understanding of memory, for example, requires knowledge ranging from the neural structures and processes that underlie it to the social and cultural forces that influence it.
Students majoring in psychology take core courses in general psychology, statistics, and research methodology, along with additional courses in each of the primary areas of the discipline. There are also numerous opportunities for students to supplement their coursework with hands-on experience in faculty research labs and in the field under faculty supervision. Advanced and well-qualified students can participate in our senior honors program. These students design, conduct, and present an original research project as a senior thesis.
Psychology majors learn to think critically, write and speak clearly, identify and solve problems, and work effectively both individually and in groups. As a result, the study of psychology provides excellent preparation for graduate study and careers in a variety of fields.
Faculty and Facilities
All full-time faculty members in the department have a Ph.D. in psychology or a closely related field. Their areas of expertise represent the breadth of contemporary scientific psychology. In addition to being dedicated teachers, most faculty members also conduct and publish original research. Many are also licensed or certified as practitioners of clinical psychology, school psychology, or applied behavior analysis.
The department makes use of several smart classrooms and has a networked computer lab for teaching and for student use. There are extensive laboratory facilities within the department. They include space for observing and testing research participants, along with computers and other specialized equipment (e.g., for audio and video recording, physiological recording).
Career Opportunities
Many of our B.A. graduates pursue careers in business, education, and social services. Combined with other appropriate coursework, psychology is also a good major for those planning to go to professional school in business, law, public health, medicine, and other fields.
Working as a professional clinician or researcher generally requires at least a master's degree. Many of our students continue in our M.S. program in school psychology or in the applied behavior analysis track of our M.A. program. Others enter our M.A. program in general experimental psychology in preparation for careers in teaching or research. Psychology graduates also pursue master's degrees in counseling, social work, and related fields either at Fresno State or elsewhere. These students generally go on to work for school districts, state and local governments, health care organizations, and social service agencies.
Becoming an independent practitioner, researcher, or college teacher in psychology generally requires a Ph.D. The training students receive in our department -- especially the hands-on research experience -- has helped many of our graduates to gain admission to top Ph.D. programs.
Psychology
Courses
Psychology
Degrees
Courses and Programs
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