You are in the official 2007-2008 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
You are in the official 2007-2008 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.
B.A. in Psychology
Pre-M.B.A. Major Option
M.A. in Psychology
Applied Behavior Analysis Option
Minor in Psychology
Pupil Personnel Credential with
an Advanced Specialization in School Psychology
Lynnette Zelezny, Chair
Karl Oswald, Undergraduate Advising Coordinator
Constance Jones, Graduate Adviser
Amanda Adams
Jennifer Austin
Michael Botwin
Karen Carey
Christine Edmondson
Jennifer Ivie
Lorin Lachs
Robert Levine
Amanda Mortimer
Sundé Nesbit
Paul Price
Jean Ritter
Aroldo Rodrigues
Martin Shapiro
Matthew Sharps
Michael Thackrey
Marilyn Wilson
Ron Yockey
Psychology is the scientific study of behavior -- including human thought, emotion, and action -- and the application of scientific knowledge to the solution of real-world problems. It includes a wide variety of topics, including perception, learning, memory, thinking, emotion, personality, social interaction, development, and abnormal behavior. Psychologists recognize that understanding behavior in all its complexity requires studying it from multiple perspectives. A thorough understanding of memory, for example, requires knowledge ranging from the neural structures and processes that underlie it to the social and cultural forces that influence it.
Students majoring in psychology take core courses in general psychology, statistics, and research methodology, along with additional courses in each of the primary areas of the discipline. There are also numerous opportunities for students to supplement their coursework with hands-on experience in faculty research labs and in the field under faculty supervision. Advanced and well-qualified students can participate in our senior honors program. These students design, conduct, and present an original research project as a senior thesis.
Psychology majors learn to think critically, write and speak clearly, identify and solve problems, and work effectively both individually and in groups. As a result, the study of psychology provides excellent preparation for graduate study and careers in a variety of fields.
All full-time faculty members in the department have a Ph.D. in psychology or a closely related field. Their areas of expertise represent the breadth of contemporary scientific psychology. In addition to being dedicated teachers, most faculty members also conduct and publish original research. Many are also licensed or certified as practitioners of clinical psychology, school psychology, or applied behavior analysis.
The department makes use of several smart classrooms and has a networked computer lab for teaching and for student use. There are extensive laboratory facilities within the department. They include space for observing and testing research participants, along with computers and other specialized equipment (e.g., for audio and video recording, physiological recording).
Many of our B.A. graduates pursue careers in business, education, and social services. Combined with other appropriate coursework, psychology is also a good major for those planning to go to professional school in business, law, public health, medicine, and other fields.
Working as a professional clinician or researcher generally requires at least a master's degree. Many of our students continue in our M.S. program in school psychology or in the applied behavior analysis track of our M.A. program. Others enter our M.A. program in general experimental psychology in preparation for careers in teaching or research. Psychology graduates also pursue master's degrees in counseling, social work, and related fields either at Fresno State or elsewhere. These students generally go on to work for school districts, state and local governments, health care organizations, and social service agencies.
Becoming an independent practitioner, researcher, or college teacher in psychology generally requires a Ph.D. The training students receive in our department -- especially the hands-on research experience -- has helped many of our graduates to gain admission to top Ph.D. programs.
Psychology
Courses