Psychology
Overview
Psychology concerns the study and understanding of thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The courses offered by the department are directed toward the study and appreciation of the complex factors that influence behavior and covert experience in people and other animals, using methodology designed to enhance objectivity and responsibility. Studying psychology has a twofold function: (1) to further the intellectual development of the student; (2) to enhance preparation in professions within and related to psychology, such as clinical practice, research, counseling, education, social work, medicine, law, and business.
Requirements
Major
The major consists of twelve 4-unit courses (48 units). Students may apply to the major and receive credit for upper-division coursework after having successfully completed Introduction to Psychology and Methods in Psychological Science. Majors select an academic advisor from among the department’s full-time faculty for consultation regarding their course programs. Though not strictly sequenced, the major is structured to provide both breadth and depth.
Departmental Core
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 units |
| PSYC 200 | Methods in Psychological Science | 4 units |
| PSYC 201 | Statistics in Psychological Science | 4 units |
| PSYC 401 | Senior Comprehensive Seminar | 4 units |
Fundamental Domain
Students must survey psychology’s diverse subdisciplines by taking at least six courses (24 units) listed within our four Domains: Biologically Based Analyses, Information Processing, Interpersonal and Intergroup, and Application-Oriented. Students must take at least one course in each of the four Domains to fulfill this requirement. Students must also complete at least two courses at the 400 level.
Biologically Based Analyses Domain
Information Processing Domain
Interpersonal and Intergroup Relations Domain
Application-Oriented Domain
| PSYC 460 | Assessment of Individual Differences | 4 units |
Additional Electives
Choose two additional Psychology courses (or eight additional units). All Psychology courses can be used as electives, including more Fundamentals courses, Contemporary Topics seminars (PSYC 490), and Directed Research courses (PSYC 295, PSYC 395, PSYC 495).
Honors in the Major
Eligible students are those who have earned an overall College grade point average of 3.25 or better and a grade point average in Psychology of 3.5 or better, and completed an empirical project that demonstrates the student's psychological sophistication, intellectual creativity, and research skills, culminating in an APA-style manuscript. Honors research must be completed through four units of PSYC 495: Directed Research. Consult the Psychology Department website for information pertaining to the honors proposal, thesis readers, enrollment expectations, and the evaluation process including critical dates.
Second-Stage Writing Proficiency
All 400-level courses require a lengthy, APA-style literature review or empirical report. Accordingly, students will satisfy the Second-Stage Writing Requirement by earning at least a C- in any 400-level psychology course other than PSYC 401.
Comprehensive Requirement
Senior majors must earn a C- in PSYC 401: Senior Comprehensive Seminar.
Transfer Credit Policies
The department will apply toward the psychology major most broad-based courses in Introduction to Psychology taken at accredited colleges and universities.
A score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology exam or a score of 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Psychology exam is deemed equivalent to having taken PSYC 101. Students who have received such a score will be counted as meeting the PSYC 101 course prerequisite and the PSYC 101 degree requirement for the major.
In addition to Introductory Psychology, the department will accept a maximum of two psychology courses taken at other institutions and passed with grades of C or better toward the completion of the Psychology major. Please consult with your academic adviser and the department chair for course approval.
Students transferring from another institution in the junior year or students who have taken a leave of absence for more than 1 semester may transfer Introductory Psychology and up to four other psychology courses, with approval from the department chair.
Students should reference the Transfer Credit section of the Catalog for more details.
Advising Information
The 4-year plan below is one pathway through the major. As you plan your own pathway keep in mind:
- PSYC 101 can be taken as late as spring of sophomore year.
- PSYC 200 should be taken no later than fall of junior year.
- PSYC 201 should be taken no later than spring of junior year.
- 300-level Fundamentals courses can be taken prior to or concurrent with PSYC 200.
- Directed Research counts toward the elective requirement.
Placement Information
No placement exams are specifically required for the Psychology major. Students with a 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology exam or a 6 or 7 on the IB Psychology exam are not eligible for Psych 101 and will typically start their studies with PSYC 200.
Sample 4-Year Plan
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Fall
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Spring
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Year 1
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Year 2
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PSYC 201
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Core Requirement (4 units)
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Core Requirement (4 units)
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General Elective (4 units)
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Fundamental Domain
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Core Requirement (4 units)
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Core Requirement (4 units)
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General Elective (4 units)
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Year 3
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400-level Fundamental Domain
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PSYC Elective
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General Elective (4 units)
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General Elective (4 units)
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Year 4
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Directed Research
- Directed Research can be used for all eight units of elective credit, ideally as two-unit courses taken over four semesters.
- Any student who has taken PSYC 101 is eligible to take PSYC 295.
- PSYC 295 and PSYC 395 can each be taken twice and can be taken with the same professor or a different professor.
- Students can also take more than one section of PSYC 295 or 395 in the same semester if working with multiple professors.
- Students can pursue research over the summer as part of the URC SRP; students who have had previous research experience are stronger applicants to this program.
- Students might also consider pursuing summer research opportunities at other institutions.
Psychology Transfer Student Advice
Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: PSYC 101 + 4 additional courses
Designated Transfer Adviser
Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Psychology:
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Transfer students intending to pursue Psychology should have already completed a course equivalent to PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology or taken the AP Psychology exam and received a score of 4 or 5.
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Transfer students should come in having met as many Core requirements as possible. Depending on how many psychology courses they still need to complete, they may not have room for many Core requirement courses while at Occidental.
General advice for transfer students wanting to major in Psychology:
What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?
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In their first semester, transfer students should enroll in PSYC 200: Methods in Psychological Science. If they have already completed an approved methods course, they should take PSYC 201: Statistics in Psychological Science. If they have taken both an approved methods course and an approved statistics course, they should consult with their adviser on the appropriate course(s) to take.
Courses
Psychology Courses
Faculty
Tenure and Tenure Track
Andrew Shtulman, chair; designated transfer adviser
Professor
B.A., Princeton University; Ph.D., Harvard University
Nicolas P. Alt
Assistant Professor
B.A., Wesleyan University; M.A., The College of William & Mary; Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
Jamie Amemiya
B.S., University of California, Irvine; M.S., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh
Patricia Cabral
Assistant Professor
B.A., M.A., California State University, Northridge; Ph.D. University of California, Irvine
Nicholas Grebe
Assistant Professor
Zachary Silver
B.A., Illinois Wesleyan University; Ph.D., Yale University
Non-Tenure Track Faculty
Scott Blum
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.A., California State University, Los Angeles; Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
Bryon Cunningham
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.A., University of Georgia; M.A., Ph.D., Emory University; M.F.A., University of Southern California
Andrew V. Frane
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.A., M.A., California State University, Los Angeles; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Susan Geffen
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.S., University of Miami; M.A., Ph.D., University of Southern California
Shani Habibi
Visiting Assistant Professor
B.A., Woodbury University; M.A., Pepperdine University; Ph.D., Alliant International University