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Psychology

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Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Psychology

The Cosumnes River College Psychology Associate of Arts Degree for Transfer Program is designed to facilitate successful transfer to baccalaureate psychology degree programs. This degree provides students with the lower division breadth and depth of the field of psychology. Additionally, this degree exposes students to the core principles and practices in the field. Students will learn to: apply psychological theory and the scientific method; compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in psychology; integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency; evaluate psychological data; apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills; and recognize the complexity of social, cultural, and international diversity and the principles of equity, justice and inclusion in their lives.

Catalog Date: January 1, 2025

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
PSYC 300 General Principles 3
PSYC 312 Biological Psychology 4
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3) 3
   or PSYC 371 Life Span Developmental Psychology (3)
   or SOC 300 Introductory Sociology (3)
PSYC 330 Introductory Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences 3
PSYC 335 Research Methods in Psychology 3
3 units from the following:
PSYC 320 Social Psychology (3) 31
   or PSYC 340 Abnormal Behavior (3)
   or PSYC 356 Human Sexuality (3)
   or PSYC 371 Life Span Developmental Psychology (3)
Total Units: 19

1If PSYC 320 or PSYC 371 is not taken as part of the required core sequence, a student may choose it as one of the options listed above.

The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • Differentiate between scientifically derived knowledge and myth and conjecture about the topics of psychology and demonstrate understanding of psychological theory and scientific method. This includes the abilities to: Recognize the way in which research leads to generally accepted conclusions and the integration of new research data with the building of a body of scientific knowledge; Demonstrate critical thinking skills shown by the analysis of data sets, testing of assumptions, and synthesizing information to draw a logical conclusion.
  • Compare and contrast the major theoretical orientations in psychology, demonstrate knowledge of basic psychological terminology regarding behavior, cognition, and emotion, and be able to express this clearly when writing or speaking about psychology. This includes the abilities to: write essays explaining theoretical orientations in clear and concise terms; operationally define terms, variables and vocabulary; relate theories, hypotheses, and research to the theoretical orientations.
  • Integrate content knowledge, cognitive and affective skills and technical proficiency in completing exams, term papers, presentations and other class assignments. These skills include: ambiguity tolerance, learning, memory, logical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, and critical thinking. This includes the abilities to : Write clear responses to essay questions without including extraneous information or omitting key information necessary to provide a clear, concise, college-level answer; utilize test-taking skills such as critical analysis of information, test-time management and focused writing; analyze the logic of a multiple choice question and choose the correct response among related items; use appropriate computer software, databases, and other technology to enhance knowledge; tolerate the ambiguity that accompanies a consideration of complex information and multiple perspectives.
  • Evaluate psychological data, draw reasonable conclusions, recognize the ethical implications of these conclusions, and apply these conclusions to personal, community, and scientific problems. This includes the abilities to: Conduct a thorough literature review; Choose appropriate research design, methodology, and statistical analyses in support of a specific hypothesis; Design and conduct a research study which may include the following techniques: observation, interviews, focus group, surveys, case studies, correlational and experimental designs; Collect data and keep organized records.; Analyze and interpret data, draw appropriate conclusions and make recommendations; Reach and clearly express logical conclusions based on data; Relate, in presentations and/or in written reports, how psychological information is relevant to personal and community issues; Recognize the ethical implications of psychological research and the responsibility to use knowledge wisely.
  • Apply psychological principles to the development of interpersonal, occupational and social skills and life-long personal growth. This includes the abilities to: Understand the concept of self-, personal-, social-, and ethnic- identity, and its role in the development of self-esteem and morals; Recognize the dynamic interaction of relationships and how it affects our ability to be socially successful with peers, family, and genders; Understand how group processes affect behavior such as attribution theory, attitude formation, prejudice, stereotyping, conformity, compliance, and obedience.
  • Recognize the complexity of social, cultural, and international diversity and the principles of equity, justice and inclusion in their lives. This includes the abilities to: Weigh evidence and develop an understanding of different perspectives (e.g. gender, cross cultural, international.); Demonstrate knowledge of ethical issues faced by psychologists; Reflect on own personal and professional values and biases by discussing and documenting dialogue, activities and interactions in journals, portfolios, and other documentation methods; Recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of socio-cultural and international diversity through classroom discussions, essays, analysis of biases in published literature, and participation in community, classroom and cultural events; Evaluate all practices, personal and professional, for equality, justice, and inclusion as reflected in internal thoughtful introspection and external application of appropriate interventions, processes, and/or strategies.

Career Information

Psychologists with advanced degrees and professional certificates have a broad range of employment opportunities including, but not limited to, clinical practice, research, and teaching. Clinical and counseling psychologists work in a variety of settings and with a wide range of clients. Research psychologists work in a range of fields associated with the study of human behavior, including biomedical, organizational psychology, sports psychology, and cognitive neuroscience. NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS: The Associate Degree for Transfer program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a campus of the California State University (CSU). Other than the required core, the courses you choose to complete this degree will depend to some extent on the selected CSU for transfer. In addition, some CSU-GE Breadth or IGETC requirements can also be completed using courses required for this associate degree for transfer major (known as “double-counting”). Meeting with a counselor to determine the most appropriate course choices will facilitate efficient completion of your transfer requirements. For students wishing to transfer to other universities (UC System, private, or out-of-state), the Associate Degree for Transfer may not provide adequate preparation for upper-division transfer admissions; it is critical that you meet with a CRC counselor to select and plan the courses for the major, as programs vary widely in terms of the required preparation.