Roadmap Freshman - 4 year: Psychology, B.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

The Mission of the Psychology Program of California State University Channel Islands is to provide outstanding academic training in Psychology through a variety of approaches and perspectives.

Year 1 - 31 units

Fall Freshman - 15 units

PSY 100 - Introduction to Psychology Units: 3
GE A2 - Student’s Choice of A2: Written Communication course - 3 units Units: 3
Please check English Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course.
GE B4 - Student’s Choice of B4: Mathematics-Quantitative Reasoning course - 3 units Units: 3
MATH/PSY 202 or MATH 200 are the recommended Math courses by major or any other B4 course. Please check Math Milestone via your Student Center to verify if you need an additional support course.
GE C1 - Student’s Choice of C1: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater course - 3 units Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- Schedule an appointment with a Peer Advisor or Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising Center
- Attend Major Fair (First Week of October)

Spring Freshman - 16 units

GE A1 - Student’s Choice of A1: Oral Communication course - 3 units Units: 3
GE A3 - Student’s Choice of A3: Critical Thinking course - 3 units Units: 3
GE B2 - Student’s Choice of B2: Life Sciences course - 4 units Units: 4
Take a B2 with B3 (lab) if missing lab requirement
GE F - Student’s Choice of F: Ethnics Studies course - 3 units Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.

Year 2 - 30 units

Fall Sophomore - 15 units

PSY 213 - Developmental Psychology Units: 3
GE C2 - Student’s Choice of C2 Humanities: Languages Other than English course - 3 units Units: 3
POLS 150 - American Political Institutions Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-299 or 300-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- Students who earned a grade of A or B in MATH/PSY 202 should consider PSY 300 now. We recommend others to wait until Year 3 Fall.
- Attend Major Fair (First Week of October).

Spring Sophomore - 15 units

GE B1 - Student’s Choice of B1: Physical Science course - 3 units Units: 3
Student’s Choice of HIST - US History course. Units: 3
Choose one: HIST 270, 271, 272, 275. CHS 350 is an option, however, will need to be taken in semester 5 or later
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Complete one from the following:
GE C1 - Student’s Choice of C1: Arts, Cinema, Dance, Music, Theater course - 3 units Units: 3
GE C2 - Student’s Choice of C2 Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, Languages Other than English course - 3 units Units: 3
Recommendations/Notes
- If you are ready to take an upper division course & meet prerequisites, consider Psy 317.
- Explore the Psychology Club, Psi Chi, and other student organizations.
- Complete Golden 4 GE (A1, A2, A3, and B4)
- Attend Summer Scheduling workshop
- Attend Study Abroad information session (if interested)

Year 3 - 32 units

Fall Junior - 16 units

PSY 300 - Psychological Research and Statistical Methods I Units: 4
PSY 310 - History and Systems of Psychology Units: 3
PSY 313 - Clinical and Abnormal Psychology Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
Recommend choosing from: PSY 337, 340, 344, 346, 436, 445 meet the UDGE-D & PSY Elective requirements 12-13 units of Major Electives are required.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- Meet w/Graduate Studies Center
- Meet w/Career Development & Alumni Engagement 
- As a Junior, it is recommended that you meet with your program faculty advisor at least once a year
- Avoid taking more than one 4-unit course per semester, if possible.
- Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising Center.
- Meet with a Psychology Program Advisor to discuss requirements and career options.

Spring Junior - 16 units

PSY 301 - Psychological Research and Statistical Methods II Units: 4
PSY 317 - Theories of Personality Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
12-13 units of Major Electives are required.
UDGE B - Student’s Choice of UDGE-B: Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning course - 3 units Units: 3
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- Get to know the Psychology faculty and their research areas so you can join in their research after finishing PSY 301.
- Explore internship opportunities. You may receive course credit through PSY 492.
- Meet w/Graduate Studies Center.
- Meet w/Career Development & Alumni Engagement.

Year 4 - 29 units

Fall Senior - 16 units

PSY 312 - Social Psychology Units: 3
PSY 314 - Behavioral Neuroscience Units: 4
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
12-13 units of Major Electives are required.
UDGE C - Student’s Choice of UDGE-C: Arts and Humanities course - 3 unit Units: 3
Recommend ART/PSY 338 to meet the UDGE-C & PSY Elective requirements
Student’s Choice of Free Elective Course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- Apply for Graduation (Priority deadline - October 1st)
- Meet w/Academic Advisor for Grad Check
- Meet w/Graduate Studies Center
- Meet w/Career Development & Alumni Engagement 
- As a Senior, it is recommended that you meet with your program faculty advisor at least once during your final year
- Consider completing an internship or participating in a faculty-led research project.
- Consider taking PSY 490 special topics course to explore unique areas of Psychology.

Spring Senior - 13 units

PSY 318 - Learning, Cognition and Perception Units: 4
Student’s Choice of Major Elective course. Units: 3
12-13 units of Major Electives are required. 
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Student’s Choice of Free Elective course. Units: 3
Needed for 120 Unit Requirement - Can be any class, any major, any level 100-499 that you have not earned previous credit for.
Recommendations/Notes
- Graduation check with Advising and Faculty advisor.
- Apply for Graduation (Priority deadline - October 1st).
- Meet w/Academic Advisor for Grad Check.
- Consider completing an internship or participating in a faculty-led research project.
- Consider taking PSY 490 special topics course to explore unique areas of Psychology.
- Attend Grad Fest in March.