Associate in Arts for Transfer | SC Program: AA-T.1006

A psychology major is a good choice for students who want to work with people and are interested in understanding human behavior and mental processes. It prepares students for a variety of careers and is one of the most versatile undergraduate degrees.

This program introduces students to psychology as the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes and the practical application of psychology to personal and social issues. The Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer degree is designed to provide students with a common core of lower division courses required to transfer and pursue a baccalaureate (4-year) degree in psychology in the CSU system.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

16 Units Total
ENGL C1000
GE 4
Academic Reading and Writing
ENGL C1000
Units 4
Note: For students who would benefit from further instruction and individual support while taking their first college-transfer level English course, ENGL C1000E is a recommended alternative to ENGL C1000.

In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research. An argumentative research essay is required for the successful completion of the course. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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COMM C1000
GE 3
Introduction to Public Speaking
COMM C1000
Units 3
In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches. This course may be taught in a distance education format.
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PSYC C1000
GE M 3
Introduction to Psychology
PSYC C1000
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course.

This course is an introduction to psychology, which is the study of the mind and behavior. Students focus on theories and concepts of biological, cognitive, developmental, environmental, social, and cultural influences, their applications, and their research foundations. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Cal-GETC 6
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 6 - Ethnic Studies
Cal-GETC 6
Units 3
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Cal-GETC 3A
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 3A - Arts
Cal-GETC 3A
Units 3
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Spring Semester, First Year

16 Units Total
Cal-GETC 1B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 1B - Critical Thinking and Composition
Cal-GETC 1B
Units 3
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SOC 3
GE M 3
SOC 3 or STAT C1000 See Counselor
SOC 3
Units 3
This course is an introduction to the basic statistical methods and analyses commonly used in the behavioral sciences. Topics include descriptive and inferential statistics; levels and types of measurement; measures of central tendency and dispersion; normal, t, and chi-square distributions; probability and hypothesis testing; and correlation and regression. Applications of statistical software to the behavioral sciences and/or other social science data is required. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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SOCI C1000
GE M 3
Introduction to Sociology
SOCI C1000
Units 3
This course introduces students to Sociology: the study of people, groups, and institutions that shape people's lives. Through a mix of theory, research, and real-world examples, students explore key sociological concepts like culture, inequality, power, collective action, and social change. With content reflecting diverse histories and lived experiences, students make connections between their lives and the social forces that influence individual opportunities and choices. Students in this course will develop a critical lens that allows them to better understand and transform themselves and society. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Cal-GETC 3B
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 3B - Humanities
Cal-GETC 3B
Units 3
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BIOL 10
GE M 3
General Biology
BIOL 10
Units 3
Note: BIOL 10 will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.

This course is an introduction to the major concepts of modern biology. Topics covered include biochemistry, cell biology, heredity, and nature of genes, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. Emphasis will be placed on those aspects of biology that are rapidly reshaping our culture. This course may be offered in a distance education format. This course will meet the general education requirement for a laboratory science if taken with BIOL 10L.
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BIOL 10L
GE M Lab 1
General Biology Laboratory
BIOL 10L
Units 1
Note: BIOL 10 will meet the general education requirement for a lab science if taken with BIOL 10L.

This is a laboratory course that offers experiments and demonstrations covering the basic concepts of the lecture course BIOL 10. The laboratory is designed to expose student to biological techniques including microscopy, biochemistry, genetics, evolution, diversity of life, and principles of ecology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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Fall Semester, Second Year

15 Units Total
Cal-GETC 4
GE 3
Cal-CETC Area 4 - Social Sciences
Cal-GETC 4
Units 3
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PSYC 25
M 3
Introduction to Research Methods
PSYC 25
Units 3
Advisory: ENGL C1000 with a grade of C or higher, or English Placement Level 7

This course surveys various psychological research methods with an emphasis on research design, experimental procedures, descriptive methods, and the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of research data. Research design and methodology will be examined through a review of research in a variety of areas of psychology. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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PSYC 5
M 3
Human Sexuality
PSYC 5
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This overview of human sexuality includes human development from conception to adulthood, the anatomy and physiology of sex, as well as historical perspectives, behavioral and social aspects of human sexuality, and myths and laws governing sexual practices. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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Spring Semester, Second Year

13 Units Total
Cal-GETC 5A
GE 3
Cal-GETC Area 5A - Physical Sciences
Cal-GETC 5A
Units 3
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PSYC 41
M 3
Cultural/Social Context of Childhood
PSYC 41
Units 3
Advisory: Essay-writing skills and eligibility to enroll in a transfer-level English Composition course, or English Placement Level 6 or higher.

This course examines child development with a focus on the effects of cultural and social factors. These factors include the socialization process and cultural influences such as ethnic identity, socioeconomic status, gender roles, family, peers, faith, and community. Significant references highlight the experiences of children and their families from several different historically underrepresented groups. This course may be offered in a distance education format.
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ELCT
4
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 4
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ELCT
3
Elective - see counselor for options
ELCT
Units 3
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Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements:

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