Psychology

College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
Dean: Joel Kassiola

Department of Psychology
PSY 201
415-338-1390
Fax: 415-338-2398
E-mail: psych@sfsu.edu
Chair: Caran Colvin

Undergraduate Coordinator: Ron Meyer

Graduate Coordinator: Lilly Berry

Faculty

Professors—Berry, Colvin, DeCecco, Harris, Kroeker, Lewis, Matsumoto, Mayer, McCoy, Monteiro, Newton, Piontkowski, Saunders, Spencer, Steiner

Associate Professors—Bunge, Kim, Terrell

Assistant Professors—Ben-Zeev, Geisler, Juang, Miller, Mosier

Programs

B.A. in Psychology
Minor in Psychology
Minor in Psychological Services
Certificate in Psychological Field Services
M.A. in Psychology: Concentration in Developmental Psychology
M.A. in Psychology: Concentration in Physiological Psychology
M.A. in Psychology: Concentration in Psychological Research
M.A. in Psychology: Concentration in Social Psychology
M.S. in Psychology: Concentration in Clinical Psychology
M.S. in Psychology: Concentration in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology
M.S. in Psychology: Concentration in School Psychology
Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Psychology Designation

Program Scope

Undergraduate Programs

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology is designed for breadth of knowledge and its generalization to other aspects of the human endeavor. The program is built around a core of methods, theory, basic psychology, and practicum requirements, and is broadened by electives in psychology and related disciplines. The core requirements along with well-chosen electives are appropriate background for graduate study and training. Psychology is considered an excellent route to graduate programs in business, law, medicine, and many other professional fields. With well-chosen electives, it gives the sort of education necessary for work in the community where a bachelor's degree in psychology is a necessary qualification.

Psychology is a broad field of study and practice comprising several different yet complementary areas of specialization. Several themes of common interest can be recognized as extending across these specialty areas. These themes include an appreciation for cultural and human diversity; ethics and values; a sense of individual empowerment; historical antecedents; critical thinking; and the understanding of self and others.

The bachelor's program is designed to provide for the development of certain essential knowledge, skills, and competencies that reflect mastery in this discipline. At this educational level, mastery involves the development of psychological literacy and a solid knowledge base in psychology. This level of mastery can be demonstrated in an ability to differentiate academic from popular psychology; and in an understanding of human diversity, individual differences, and cultural/political perspectives. Abilities and skills attained include an understanding of how to access, analyze, and critically evaluate psychological literature; and the ability to communicate psychological concepts and facts both orally and in writing. Specific psychological research skills include skill in research design, data analysis, measurement, and basic computer operation. The ability to effectively observe and interpret behavior is also required. Finally, mastery at this educational level is intended to result in improved interpersonal competencies; increased self knowledge and the ability to assess personal growth and development; and readiness for graduate training and/or career.

There is also a minor available for other students in the university. It is closely related to the major and gives students the opportunity for some organized formal contact with psychology and to have it represented on their transcript.

A Certificate in Psychological Field Services is available through the Department of Psychology. The program gives concurrent instruction in theory, practice, and research and will give the student greater understanding of the multiple functions of the professional psychologist. The curriculum blends classroom examination of methodology and problems of application with experience in community agencies that deliver psychological services. Electives in the discipline are also included to allow a student to pursue an area of particular interest. The program has been designed in part for students from other academic disciplines who wish to have their training formally related to psychological theory and practice. The certificate program is also suitable for those in the community who are engaging in human services work and would like to learn additional skills and perspectives. This program is also appropriate for students of psychology interested in issues of practical application and hands-on experience in community service settings. Twenty-four units are required for the certificate.

Graduate Programs

Each program has been designed to meet student needs and to qualify students for vocational goals. Close liaison between students and advisers is an important feature of every graduate program.

The Developmental Psychology program focuses on life-span development from conception through aging. Major interest areas include learning, cognition, psycholinguistics, perceptual processes, personality, sex differences, and social behavior. The program is especially appropriate for students preparing to enter doctoral programs, to work in parent education, and a variety of applied and research oriented agencies, including the direction of a nursery school or educational setting for children.

The program in Psychological Research is for students seeking to become broadly informed and productive research psychologists who will be prepared to enter doctoral programs or perform competently as research associates in diverse areas of psychology. This program offers the opportunity for course work and research in such areas as biofeedback, emotion, physiological psychology, clinical research, program evaluation, psycholinguistics, and cognition. The program also prepares for teaching in community colleges.

The Social Psychology program is designed to provide appropriate preparation and experience to students who intend to proceed to doctoral study, as well as to students who intend to develop careers at the master's level in research, in community college teaching, or in applications of social psychology. The program emphasizes achievement of competency in research skills (design, implementation, and interpretation of findings), familiarity with the theoretical and empirical literature of the discipline, and proficiency in application of social psychology to the solution of social problems; e.g., peace and conflict resolution, intergroup relations, and cultural diversity in modern society.

The closely related programs of Clinical and School Psychology lead to a Master of Science in Psychology. The Clinical Psychology program is intended to qualify students for careers in psychological services with community mental health centers, governmental agencies, hospitals, private schools, and the like. By completing the School Psychology program and some additional course work and an internship experience, students can qualify for the State of California pupil personnel services credential with authorization in school psychology. The course work taken to meet the requirements of the clinical program may be used in making application for the M.F.C.C. License in California.

The program with an Industrial-Organizational emphasis is designed to qualify students for professional careers in organizational behavior and human resource functions in business, industry, or government; or for doctoral programs in industrial/organizational psychology.

Career Outlook

The undergraduate program provides a foundation of skills and knowledge for careers both outside and inside of psychology. Since most jobs require a well-developed sense of how people function, a degree in psychology is often a desired background for positions in both government and industry. Undergraduate work in psychology includes training to develop the abilities to analyze critically and to understand complex behaviors, to deal with interpersonal problems, and to use research tools.

The following are some careers that graduates with bachelor's degrees in psychology have entered.

Psychological Research and Development—data analysis assistant; educational research assistant; public opinion poll-taker; research assistant in mental health; research design technician; statistician; survey interviewer.

Mental Health and Social Services—alcohol treatment center assistant; child care program assistant; corrections counselor; counseling assistant; counselor, child/adolescent; crisis-center counselor; drug abuse program assistant; psychiatric technician.

Business and Government—employment interviewer; human factors assistant; human resources manager; personnel analyst; psychometrist; public relations assistant.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY

On-line course descriptions are available.

MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGY

MINOR IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

CERTIFICATE IN PSYCHOLOGICAL FIELD SERVICES

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN PSYCHOLOGY

Students who wish to apply for admission to classified graduate status in psychology should file a general university application with the graduate admissions office. In addition, departmental application forms must be completed and returned to the Psychology Department Office. The department accepts applications until March 1st for the Fall semester and October 15th for the Spring semester. Most of the graduate programs accept applications for the Fall semester only. The Clinical-School Psychology program generally requires an interview.

The Psychology Department requires all students to submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination. All the programs require the aptitude (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) section; some require the advanced psychology section and the writing test as well. Applicants should check the requirements of the program to which they are applying.

Students who intend to work toward the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Psychology must meet the prerequisites outlined at the beginning of each concentration.

Undergraduate deficiencies are to be rectified, as the graduate adviser deems fit, without being included as part of the program for a master's degree.

In order to advance to candidacy, graduate students must meet all the general requirements for the specific program in which they are involved.

MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY: CONCENTRATION IN DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Program Coordinator—T. Spencer

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: satisfactory completion of PSY 739. Level Two: satisfactory completion of PSY 898 and oral defense of thesis.

Prerequisites: A background in elementary statistics, experimental psychology, developmental psychology (introductory course), and history and systems of psychology or psychology of learning.

MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY: CONCENTRATION IN PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY

NOTE: This program is currently under revision, and interested students may apply for admission to the Psychological Research Program. Please consult with the department graduate secretary for further information concerning enrollment in this program.

MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY: CONCENTRATION IN PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Program Coordinator—J. Kim

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: satisfactory completion of PSY 896. Level Two: satisfactory completion of the master's thesis.

Prerequisites: A course in statistical methods and a course either in experimental psychology or psychological research methods; or a course combining statistics and research methods.

MASTER OF ARTS IN PSYCHOLOGY: CONCENTRATION IN SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY

Program Coordinator—J. Newton

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: satisfactory completion of PSY 740. Level Two: satisfactory completion of PSY 898.

Prerequisites: A broad undergraduate major in psychology or a related discipline, including preparation in such areas as social psychology, personality theory, interpersonal processes, research methods, statistics, and psychological theory.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY: CONCENTRATION IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Program Coordinator—J. Lewis

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: satisfactory completion of PSY 721. Level Two: satisfactory completion of the master's written examination or PSY 898 and oral defense of thesis.

Prerequisites: Preparation in psychology, or in other fields which emphasize understanding of human functioning, as any of the social sciences or, in some instances, in fields that deal with specialized forms of human expression and experience. Preparation should include course work in psychological statistics, personality theory, and abnormal psychology. Course work in developmental psychology and cultural perspectives is desirable. Preparation should also include experience working directly with people in a helping or service-oriented situation.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY: CONCENTRATION IN INDUSTRIAL/ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY

Program Coordinator—K. Mosier

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Graduate Essay Test (GET). Students who do not pass the GET are required to take and pass prescribed remedial course(s) in English composition. Level Two: satisfactory completion of research methods course (PSY 770).

Prerequisites: Course work in intermediate statistics; completion of fifteen units in psychology.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PSYCHOLOGY: CONCENTRATION IN SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY

Program Coordinator—D. Harris

This degree program leads to the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with authorization in School Psychology. Designed primarily for full-time SFSU students, an M.S. is earned after successful completion of the fourth semester and the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with an authorization in School Psychology is awarded after successful completion of the sixth semester in the program.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the M.S. program is based upon evidence of psychological experience with children and families in institutions such as schools and service-oriented settings. Academic preparation is demonstrated by the capacity to make use of graduate-level academic work and professional training. These qualifications may be assessed by record of previous academic accomplishments in psychology or other related fields that emphasize an understanding of children and their families and include clinical work experience. Students entering the program should have completed courses in statistics and research, clinical, developmental, abnormal psychology, learning, personality, and cross-cultural psychology.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: satisfactory completion of PSY 721. Level Two: satisfactory completion of the master's written examination.

Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Psychology Designation

Only students enrolled in the M.S. in Psychology: Concentration in School Psychology at SFSU are eligible for this program. In addition to the courses required for the M.S., the following courses are required for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential with a School Psychology authorization.

Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Psychology Designation (Credential Internship Program for Non-matriculated Students)

This credential program is offered through the College of Extended Learning (CEL). It is intended for individuals who have completed at least a Master of Science in Psychology with a Concentration in School Psychology or a related master's or doctoral degree. In addition, individuals must have completed a minimum of 576 hours of supervised school psychology related experience in the schools in order to be eligible for admission to the program. In most cases, the Master of Science in Psychology: Concentration in School Psychology and a general Pupil Personnel Services Credential (without the School Psychology designation) are awarded prior to enrollment in the program. A fee will be charged to evaluate and determine eligibility for the program.