Majoring in Psychology at CSULB: A Pathway to Success

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behavior.  Psychologists simultaneously seek to understand
the commonality as well as the diversity of human experience. 

 “As one of the most popular undergraduate majors, psychology can prepare students to be successful in many different
careers — from the social sciences to business and beyond.” (American Psychological Association)

Here are just some of the reasons why studying Psychology at CSULB will put you on the pathway to success:

Valuable Skills for the Job Market

Maybe you want to head directly into the work world with your Psychology BA?  

Your Psychology courses will teach you important skills that will be an asset in whatever career you choose, and there are hundreds of career paths you could take.

Some skills you will develop in the major are:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Problem-Solving
  • Oral, writing, and Interpersonal Communication
  • Analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information
  • Appreciation of Diversity and Individual Differences
  • Ability to Apply Knowledge and Skills in Real-World Settings

Launching the career you want from your bachelor’s degree in psychology requires specific planning, appropriate preparation, and finding the right opportunities, all benefits to studying psychology at CSULB.

Preparation for Graduate School

The Psychology curriculum at CSULB provides an excellent foundation to apply for graduate programs. 

Many of our students who also take advantage of the other opportunities discussed on this page report to us that they have been successful in gaining admission to master's and doctoral programs.  

The CSULB Psychology Department has three graduate programs that you may be interested in applying to after you graduate with your BA.

Learn More about our Master's Programs

Some of our recent graduates have gone on to doctoral programs at:

  • Purdue University
  • University of Minnesota
  • Arizona State University
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Michigan
  • Emory University
  • University of California, Irvine
  • ....and many more!
Internship Opportunities

Students who are interested in completing a Psychology-related internship may either pursue an internship on their own or earn credit for completing a Psychology-related internship by enrolling in Psychology 405 - Internships in Psychology (formerly called Fieldwork in Psychology).

Students who wish to complete an internship on their own may consult the Internship Resources located within the Psychology Resource Office or the current internships listed on CareerLink which is available through their CSULB single sign on.

Students who wish to earn course credit for completing an internship may apply for Psychology 405 – Internships in Psychology.  Further information about this class and the application process are provided below.

What is the Internships in Psychology Class?

  • Psy 405 is a 400-level class that provides 3 units of course credit for completing an undergraduate internship
  • Students enrolled in the class complete approximately 6 hours per week at their internship site and attend one 75 minute class per week
  • This class is graded as Credit/No Credit only, and there are NO exams or research papers

What Types of Internships Can I Complete?

  • Students complete internships in a wide variety of areas, including youth mentoring programs, school-based programs, mental health programs, crisis intervention programs, medical or criminal justice programs, and programs within human resources or business settings
  • Students may also locate their own internships in settings of their choice

How do I Obtain an Internship?

  • Students will be provided a list of potential internships, but they may also research their own internships
  • Students are responsible for contacting potential interview sites and completing all application procedures required by the site
  • This process can take quite some time, so students are encouraged to begin applying for internships at least 6 weeks in advance

What Happens in Class?

  • Class meets in person once per week; students are also required to attend 4 additional workshops (or complete alternate assignments)
  • Class time is spent supervising internships and engaging in professional development activities

Are There Any Prerequisites?

  • Students must have at least a 3.0 both Overall and in Psychology to be admitted into the class
  • Students must also have completed at least 12 upper division units (300 or 400 level classes) by the first day of class

How do I Get Admitted into the Class?

  • Admission to Psy 405 is by application only: Internship Class Application
  • For the Fall semester course, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting on March 15
  • For the Spring semester course, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting on October 15
  • All completed applications and unofficial transcripts should be submitted to: courtney.ahrens@csulb.edu

Who Do I Contact for Additional Information?

Opportunities for Involvement in the CSULB Psychology Department

CSULB Psychology majors have many opportunities to get involved in the Department.

 

We have successful, active student organizations:

  • Psychology Student Association/Psi Chi
  • Psychology Transfer Student Association
  • Human Factors Student Association
  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology Students Association

 

Faculty are engaged in research and often seek students to assist
them in their laboratories:

 

Our top-notch students may be employed as Instructional Student Assistants:

  • Assist Professors with grading and proctoring.
  • Hold office hours in the Psychology Student Study Center to assist students with their coursework.
  • A Call for Applications is emailed to all Psychology Majors just prior to each semester. Look for it!

 

Outstanding students staff our Psychology Resource Office (PRO):

  • PRO has information on graduate programs and careers in psychology as well as research assistantships and internships.

Ready to declare a Psychology major or minor?
Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor at the College of Liberal Arts Advising Center, A.T.L.A.S.

Declare Button