Psychology
ApplyUnderstanding and Predicting Human Behavior
The Psychology Program at Skyline College engages students in an enriching and challenging academic experience that promotes an understanding of yourself and others, and factors corresponding to thoughts and behavior. Take courses toward a psychology degree, for general education, other majors' requirements, or personal enrichment!
Prepare for a career path in psychology
We've made it easy to plan your degree:
Term 1: PSYC 100 and PSYC 200 or 201
Term 2: PSYC 171 and PSYC 268 or 300
Term 3: PSYC 105 and PSYC 220
Term 4: PSYC elective
Check out current classes
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for psychologists overall will grow by 19% between 2014 and 2024, much faster than the 7% average growth predicted for all occupations.
We offer a wide variety of classes that:
- Provide a foundation for professional success in many career options: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for psychologists overall will grow by 19% between 2014 and 2024, much faster than the 7% average growth predicted for all occupations.
- Fulfill General Education requirements.
- Meet requirements for other majors and degrees.
- Offer flexible options. You can choose to transfer to a four-year degree program with the AA-T/AA degrees in Psychology.
- Help you in everyday life with communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, relationships, self-confidence, success and more. . .
Classes include:
- PSYC 100 General Psychology (3 units)
- PSYC 105 Experimental Psychology (3 units)
- PSYC 110 Courtship, Marriage and Family (3 units)
- and much more . . .
Other ways to get involved with psychology:
- Join clubs like Active Minds and SAGA
- Apply for the Psi Beta Honor Society
- Sign up for Professional Psychology Organizations like the APA
We welcome you to the exciting field of psychology!
Looking for a list of classes offered this semester?
Check out the current class schedule.All Courses
PSYC 100 General Psychology (3 units)
Introduction to the study of behavior and mental processes. Methods and theories of psychology, as well as findings in the areas of biological, cognitive and social processes are discussed. Subject matter includes the brain, learning, memory, motivation, personality development, and other related topics.
PSYC 105 Experimental Psychology (3 units)
Application of scientific methods to psychological research. Fundamentals of experimental design, descriptive and inferential statistics, scientific report writing. Exploration of psychology as a major study and as a profession.
PSYC 110 Courtship, Marriage and Family (3 units)
Examination of the social, psychological, historical, legal and economic factors relating to changing family, courtship, heterosexual and same sex marriage and partnership patterns: Exploration of changing gender roles, courtship patterns and parenting will also be included. Emphasis will be placed on diversity of families and family forms. Also listed as SOCI 110.
PSYC 171 Quantitative Reasoning in Psychology (3 units)
Introduction to psychological statistics and measurements essential to understanding statistical and quantitative arguments presented in news accounts, advertising, political campaigns, and popular treatment of psychological research.
PSYC 200 Developmental Psychology (3 units)
A survey of the physical, cognitive and psychological changes that occur across the life span. Theoretical models, influences affecting development, and research relevant to development across the life span will be discussed.
PSYC 201 Child Development (3 units)
Examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students will observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. Also listed as ECE 201.
PSYC 220 Introduction to Psychobiology (3 units)
Introduces the scientific study of the biological bases of behavior and its fundamental role in the neurosciences. Physiological, hormonal, and neurochemical mechanisms, and brain-behavior relationships underlying the psychological phenomena of sensation, perception, regulatory processes, emotion, learning, memory, and psychological disorders will be addressed. Notes historical scientific contributions and current research principles for studying brain-behavior relationships and mental processes. Ethical standards for human and animal research are discussed in the context of both invasive and non-invasive experimental research.
PSYC 230 Introduction to Cross-Cultural Psychology (3 units)
An examination of the diversity of human thought, feeling, and behavior, and the underlying reasons for such diversity. Focuses on the way culture influences human behavior and shapes mental processes. Reviews a variety of theories and research-findings regarding cultural influences on human behavior.
PSYC 268 Black Psychology (3 units)
Introduction to and exploration of basic and alternative psychological theories and concepts that provide an understanding and appreciation of the psychodynamics of Black America.
PSYC 300 Social Psychology (3 units)
Overview of how the individual thinks about, influences and relates to others. Topics include the study of attitudes, self-concept, prejudice and discrimination, conformity and group processes. Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to evaluate how social influences shape behaviors and apply principles of social psychology to everyday life.
PSYC 310 Positive Psychology (3 units)
Introduces positive psychology, the scientific study of human strengths, well-being and happiness: Surveys the research, theories. Includes ideas about human health and happiness. Includes practice in applying positive psychology principles. Considers such topics as happiness, hope, and wellness promotion.
PSYC 330 Introduction to Sports Psychology (3 units)
Survey of current theoretical perspectives, research, and applications of theory and techniques specific to the field of sports psychology. Exploration of research as related to optimal performance in athletics and in life. Includes the history and foundations of sport and exercise psychology, the role of race/ethnicity, and gender in sport, personality, attribution and cognition, leadership, motivation, goal-setting, neuropsychology and physiology of arousal, attention, and psychological skills training. Also listed as KINE 330.
PSYC 410 Abnormal Psychology (3 units)
Examination of disorders listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Topics include personality disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and other related disorders. Symptoms, causes, and treatments of each disorder are examined.
PSYC 670 Vocational Cooperative Education in Psychology (1- 4 units)
Students may receive credit for work experience related to their major field or to their established career goal. Seminars and individual conferences are scheduled at convenient times during the semester for the instructor and the student to establish learning objectives related to the student's employment. Students are given appropriate assignments related to the stated objectives and graded in accordance with the college's established grading system. As an alternative, related instruction classes meeting one hour per week, usually in the evening, are available for those students who prefer or need a more structured learning. One unit of credit, for every 75 hours worked per semester, may be earned by students with jobs related to their academic or occupational majors or goals. It may be repeated for credit up to 16 units. This limitation applies to Occupational Cooperative Education work experience courses offered within the SMCCCD.
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | AA | 60 Units |
| Psychology for Transfer | AA-T | 60 Units |
Psi Beta is a national honor society for community college students attending two-year colleges, inviting students who plan to major or minor in psychology, as well as students who simply have an interest in psychology.
Our mission is to encourage professional development and psychological literacy of students by promoting and recognizing excellence in scholarship, leadership, research, and community service.
Learn more about Psi BetaUpon completion of the Psychology program students will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
- Demonstrate the ability to think critically and creatively by employing skeptical inquiry and scientific reasoning.
- Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, political, spiritual, socioeconomic, social, and organizational issues.
- Understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Recognize and understand the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity.
Location: Building 1
Email: merrill@smccd.edu
Career Outlook - What is your future?
Psychology graduates work in business, education, environment, health, law, community
activism, social services and much more.
"People with bachelor’s degrees in psychology often possess good research and writing
skills, are good problem solvers, and have well-developed, higher level thinking abilities
when it comes to analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. Many find jobs
in administrative support, public affairs, education, business, sales, service industries,
health, the biological sciences, and computer programming. They may also work as employment
counselors, correction counselor trainees, interviewers, personnel analysts, probation
officers, and writers."
- American Psychological Association
Most careers in Psychology require a four-year or graduate degree, and a degree in psychology can lead to a variety of careers which vary widely in terms of demand and salary expectations.
Careers in Psychology Speaker Series
The Careers in Psychology Speaker Series is designed with the intent of sharing information about different careers in the discipline. Psychology graduates work in business, education, environment, health, law, community activism, social services and much more.
During the 60-minute conversation, professionals share information specific to their career, including job duties, academic and training requirements, job outlook, and benefits and challenges related to the job.
What is your future?
Behavioral Technician
Emerging Trends in Psychology
Emerging Trends in Psychology
Industrial Organizational
School Psychology
User Experience Analyst
Sports Psychology
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