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Psychology Pathway
This pathway assumes:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
PSYCHOLOGY, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in psychology. Or you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1
EDPL 100 College Success (2 credits)
| Description | Designed for students new to the college environment. Introduction to college services; study skills and time management; educational planning and career exploration; and skills necessary to become a successful student. Lectures, small group discussion, and experiential exercises. (UE) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)
| Description | Surveys the knowledge and methods of the discipline of psychology. Emphasis include an overview of current knowledge in major areas of psychology, accessing and assessing information about behavior, skills inscientific reasoning and critical thinking. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
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HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 12-17
Course note: EDPL 100 is optional, but it can be very helpful if you don't have much college experience. Take it with two or three of the other courses.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs that relate to your career goals.
Career exploration: Learn about careers in psychology as part of PSYC& 100.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits)
| Description | Growth and development through the life span including physical, social, cognitive and neurological development. Topics covered included daycare, education, disabilities, parenting, types of families, gender identity and roles, career decisions, illnesses and treatments, aging, retirement, generativity, and dying. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of PSYC& 100 and placement into ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to the characteristics, origins, diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychological disorders and related controversies. Major perspectives include Biological, socio-cultural, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic. Includes acute and chronic disorders in major categories of DSM IV such as autism, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Civil commitments an insanity plea issues included. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
ENGL 201 Advanced Composition (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective communicators through the production of various forms and mediums of writing. Students develop effective rhetorical strategies through analysis of texts and contexts, as well as engaging in independent research as part of meaningful and ethical scholarship. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL 202 Writing About Literature (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop skills in reading and writing about literature. Students analyze literature based on elements of genres, including fiction, poetry, and/or drama, and develop essays using strategies of literary analysis. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ENGL& 235 Technical Writing (5 credits )
| Description | This course helps students develop effective methods of research, organization and presentation of findings typical of professional, technical, and scientific writing. Students develop problem-solving and researching skills, including data collection, the critical analysis of sources, documentation, and document design. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats (5 credits)
| Description | Rigorous introduction to statistical methods and hypothesis testing. Includes descriptive and inferential statistics. Tabular and pictorialmethods for describing data; central tendencies; mean; modes; medians; variance; standard deviation; quartiles; regression; normal distribution; confidence intervals; hypothesis testing, one and two-tailed tests. Applications to business, social sciences, and sciences. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Learn about careers in psychology as part of PSYC& 220.
Career exploration: Compare the different psychology majors at universities you're interested in. Consider a complementary minor that will prepare you in another way for what you want to do.
Quarter 3
PSYC& 180 Human Sexuality (5 credits)
| Description | Study of the factors influencing the development and expression of individual sexuality, human sexual behavior, attraction and love, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual aggression, sexual dysfunction and disorders, characteristics of and factors influencing the use of contraceptives, characteristics and risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100, SOC& 101, or ANTH& 206. (SSwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Growth and development through the life span including physical, social, cognitive and neurological development. Topics covered included daycare, education, disabilities, parenting, types of families, gender identity and roles, career decisions, illnesses and treatments, aging, retirement, generativity, and dying. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of PSYC& 100 and placement into ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC 211 Social Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | The scientific study of the influence of people upon each other's behavior. Topics include social perception, attraction, pro-social behavior, aggression, attitude formation and change, group processes, applied topics, e.g. legal system, health, organizations. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to the characteristics, origins, diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychological disorders and related controversies. Major perspectives include Biological, socio-cultural, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic. Includes acute and chronic disorders in major categories of DSM IV such as autism, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Civil commitments an insanity plea issues included. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC 225 Cognitive Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Examines the historical development of cognitive psychology. Cognitive theories and research methods are related to practical applications in daily life as well as in classroom settings. Areas of focus include acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information, the role of imagery in cognition, and the development of cognitive processes. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
BIOL& 100 Survey of Biology (5 credits)
| Description | Fundamental concepts of biology including biodiversity, process and application of science, intersections of science and society, ecological principles, and genetics. For non-science majors. Lab work included. (MSwl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CHEM& 121 Introduction to Chemistry (5 credits )
| Description | Introductory course open to students without previous background in chemistry. Introduction to the nature of atoms and molecules, chemical notation, scientific reasoning and problem solving in the study of the theory and applications of inorganic chemistry. Lab work included. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 99 with minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CHEM& 161 General Chemistry With Lab I (5 credits )
| Description | First of a three-course sequence designed for science, engineering, and other majors needing a full year general chemistry sequence. Covers basic principles of modern chemistry, structure of atoms, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, bonding, and molecular geometry. Lab work included. Recommended preparation CHEM& 121 or one year of High School Chemistry. (MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH& 141 with minimum grade of C |
| Course Attributes |
|
or ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology With Lab (5 credits )
| Description | An exploration of the evolution of the human species from a biological perspective, considering interrelationships of biology and culture, principles of genetics, primate behavior, primate and human fossils, early prehistoric cultures, and human variation/adaptation. Lab work included. Either ANTH& 205 or 215 may be taken for credit, not both. (MSls) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Designed to introduce students to basic interpersonal communication theory. Emphasis on topics such as functions of communication, self-concept, perception, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, self-disclosure, assertiveness, and conflict management strategies. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to communication theory and public speaking emphasizing organization, audience analysis, oral styles, and use of visual aids. Includes presentation of various types of public speeches and analyses of contemporary speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits )
| Description | Introduces students to the theory and practice of small group communication. Course covers interpersonal relationships in groups, leadership, decision-making, problem solving, and presentations speaking in a variety of settings. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Summer
If you opted for 12 credits in Quarter 1, this might be a good time to catch up.
Quarter 4
PSYC& 180 Human Sexuality (5 credits)
| Description | Study of the factors influencing the development and expression of individual sexuality, human sexual behavior, attraction and love, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual aggression, sexual dysfunction and disorders, characteristics of and factors influencing the use of contraceptives, characteristics and risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100, SOC& 101, or ANTH& 206. (SSwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Growth and development through the life span including physical, social, cognitive and neurological development. Topics covered included daycare, education, disabilities, parenting, types of families, gender identity and roles, career decisions, illnesses and treatments, aging, retirement, generativity, and dying. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of PSYC& 100 and placement into ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC 211 Social Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | The scientific study of the influence of people upon each other's behavior. Topics include social perception, attraction, pro-social behavior, aggression, attitude formation and change, group processes, applied topics, e.g. legal system, health, organizations. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to the characteristics, origins, diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychological disorders and related controversies. Major perspectives include Biological, socio-cultural, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic. Includes acute and chronic disorders in major categories of DSM IV such as autism, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Civil commitments an insanity plea issues included. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC 225 Cognitive Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Examines the historical development of cognitive psychology. Cognitive theories and research methods are related to practical applications in daily life as well as in classroom settings. Areas of focus include acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information, the role of imagery in cognition, and the development of cognitive processes. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
PSYC& 180 Human Sexuality (5 credits)
| Description | Study of the factors influencing the development and expression of individual sexuality, human sexual behavior, attraction and love, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual aggression, sexual dysfunction and disorders, characteristics of and factors influencing the use of contraceptives, characteristics and risk factors of sexually transmitted diseases. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100, SOC& 101, or ANTH& 206. (SSwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Growth and development through the life span including physical, social, cognitive and neurological development. Topics covered included daycare, education, disabilities, parenting, types of families, gender identity and roles, career decisions, illnesses and treatments, aging, retirement, generativity, and dying. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of PSYC& 100 and placement into ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC 211 Social Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | The scientific study of the influence of people upon each other's behavior. Topics include social perception, attraction, pro-social behavior, aggression, attitude formation and change, group processes, applied topics, e.g. legal system, health, organizations. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to the characteristics, origins, diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychological disorders and related controversies. Major perspectives include Biological, socio-cultural, cognitive behavioral, and psychodynamic. Includes acute and chronic disorders in major categories of DSM IV such as autism, ADHD, PTSD, mood disorders, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and Alzheimer's disease. Civil commitments an insanity plea issues included. Recommended preparation: PSYC& 100. (SSd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or PSYC 225 Cognitive Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Examines the historical development of cognitive psychology. Cognitive theories and research methods are related to practical applications in daily life as well as in classroom settings. Areas of focus include acquisition, storage, and retrieval of information, the role of imagery in cognition, and the development of cognitive processes. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
or a LEARNING CONTRACT in psychology (2-5 credits)
MATH/SCIENCE click for list (5 credits)
ELECTIVES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5-8 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: A learning contract is an independent study with a faculty mentor.
Course note: If you choose to take a learning contract with fewer than 5 credits, take extra elective credits to total 15 for the quarter.
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
SOCIAL SCIENCE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
HUMANITIES from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
ELECTIVE from suggested list below or click for complete list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: Choose this quarter's social science and elective from subjects other than PSYC.
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
Humanities or electives
- ART& 100 Art appreciation
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits)
- ART 107 Art in world cultures
- ART 115 2D design
- ART 116 3D design
- ART 134 The art of color
- ART 185 Intro to visual communications
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- CMST 250 Communication theory
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- ENGL 282 Intro to world literature
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 264 Women in film
- FILM 280 International film
- FILM 294 Special topics in film studies
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- HUM 106 Humanities here and now (1 credit)
If you want to take this 1-credit supplement to HUM& 101, you must take them together. - HUM 170 Cultural history and practices
- HUM 220 The western cultural tradition
- HUM 260 American cultural studies
- HUM 270 Studies in global culture
- IDS 152 Religion, society and self-concept
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- PHIL& 101 Intro to philosophy
- PHIL& 115 Critical thinking
- PHIL 130 Intro to ethics
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
- PHIL 200 Philosophy of religion
Social Sciences or electives
- ANTH& 100 Survey of anthropology
- ANTH& 200 Intro to language
- ANTH& 204 Archaeology
- ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology
- ANTH& 210 Indians of North America
- ANTH& 216 Northwest coast Indians
- ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
This course is strongly recommended. - ANTH& 235 Cross cultural medicine
- ANTH 250 Applied anthropology
- CMST 205 Gender communication
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- CMST 250 Communication theory
- CJ& 101 Intro to criminal justice
- ECED& 105 Intro to early childhood education
- ECON 100 Survey of economic principles
- ECON 110 Principles of environmental economics
- ECON 203 Economic problems in historical perspective
- ECON 205 Alternative economic systems
- ECON 210 Economic ethics
- ECON 260 Introduction to international trade
- HIST: Any history course
- IDS 112 Ethnomathematics
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 152 Religion, society and self-concept
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- POLS& 101 Intro to political science
- POLS& 201 Intro to political theory
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
- SOC 120 Marriage and family
- SOC& 201 Social problems
- SOC 210 Urban sociology
- SOC 220 Contemporary social issues
- SOC 250 Multicultural issues