Presented by the Psychology Resource Office
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What we will be covering:
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The Psychology Department at CSULB
Resources on campus
The Psychology Major
Psychology vs. Human Development & Social Work
Getting involved!
▪ Internships and volunteer opportunities
 Popular fields in psychology
 Research
▪ Why its important
▪ How to get involved
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The Psychology Department at CSULB is part
of the College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
We are one of the largest departments in CLA
Psychology is an impacted major!
 We have more students than space available
▪ Over 1500 of them!
▪ Majors
▪ Minors
▪ Pre-majors (less than 60 units)
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Department Chair
 Dr. David Whitney
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Assistant Chair
 Dr. Dan Chiappe
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First Floor
 PSY 100 Department Main Office
▪ Forms, add/drop, withdraw
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Second Floor
 PSY 206 Psychology Resource Office (PRO)
▪ Grad school & career resources, PSY 301, course syllabi
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Third Floor
 PSY 314 Psychology Student Study Center (PSSC)
▪ Get help with coursework from SAs and GAs
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All advising for our major is done by ATLAS
(Advising Teaching Liberal Arts Students)
 ATLAS is located in PH1-104
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Reasons to visit ATLAS:
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Declare Psychology as your major or minor
Get GE or psychology advising
Class planning
Timely graduation help and grad checks!
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Job & volunteer opportunities in
the CRR
Grad school, GRE, and
application process information
in the GRR
Financial aid information
News about psychology related
activities on campus
Psychology course syllabi
PSY 301
Information about how to get
involved in the department:
research and student
organizations
Visit a PRO Guide
PALS – new student mentoring
program starting this semester!
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Career Development Center (CDC)
 Job and internship info
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Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
 Free counseling and help with stress
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Learning Assistance Center
 Free tutoring
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Leadership Resource Center
 Offers certification from the Leadership Academy
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Library
 Tons of resources (such as PsychInfo)
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Writer’s Resource Lab
 Free help with writing
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Psychology is the science of behavior. It seeks to
understand the causes of behavior in individuals in terms
of biological, environmental, social, and cultural variables.
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A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology provides solid
preparation for students who aim to:
 Seek an understanding of behavioral principles while pursuing a
well rounded education.
 Further study the field of psychology in graduate programs.
 Pursue a career in any field that deals with people, such as
guidance counseling, human resources, nursing, social work,
and teaching.
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CSULB’s psychology major is heavily statistical and
research based.
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Complete the prerequisites with a grade of C or better
 PSY 100 
 PSY 210 
 PSY 220 
General Psychology
Introductory Statistics
Research Methods
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Overall GPA of at least 2.5
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To declare psychology as your major, second major, or
minor visit ATLAS in PH1 104.
 Note: PSY 241 Psychobiology is not required to declare the major, but it
is a requirement for the degree and is a prerequisite for other upper
division courses.
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Once in the major
 Must take PSY 301 within the first two semesters
 400 level psychology courses are open to majors only
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL WORK
Studies the lifespan
development within
societal and cultural
contexts
 Examines development
primarily from the
perspectives of
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Anthropology
Biology
Psychology
Sociology
Aim to enrich the quality of
life by helping individuals,
groups, and communities
reach a higher level of
development and build a
better and more just society
for all
 Strive to change the various
social institutions which are
not meeting the needs of the
people whom they are
supposed to be representing
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
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Human Resources
School & Health
Administration
Elementary or School Teacher
Educational Counseling
Academic Advising
Parent & Health Educator
Program Evaluator
Occupational/Physical
Therapist
Training and Development
Specialists
SOCIAL WORK
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Case Managers
Recovery Support
Coordinator
Mental Health Assistant
Social Services Assistant
Group Home Worker
Program Coordinator
Activity Director
Community Outreach
Coordinator
Care Coordinator
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Psychology Honors Program
 Requirements
- Must be admitted to the major; all pre-requisite
courses completed by end of semester
-Minimum 3.25 overall GPA; 3.50 psychology GPA
-Be able to commit for THREE semesters
-Must have identified a faculty member willing to
supervise their honors thesis project
-To stay enrolled in program, must earn B” or higher
in each Honors course to continue participation
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Student Organizations
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Volunteer & Internship Opportunities
 PSY 405 – Fieldwork (Internship)
 PSY 406 – Applications of Psychology (PRO
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Guide)
PSY 499 – Independent Study (Research)
PSA/Psi Chi Halloween Haunted House in Fall
Psych Day in the Spring
Check postings in the CRR in PRO!
What are you interested in?
Clinical
Counseling
Severity of Problem
More severe
Less severe
Nature of Problem
Internal to self, broad in
scope
External to Self, Narrow in
scope
Length of Problem
Longer-Term
Shorter-Term
Focus of Treatment
Cure the problem
Restore functioning and
growth
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Degree Requirements
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 PhD or PsyD
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Yearly Salary
 Ranges from $51,885 - $90,330
 Average is $87,015
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Typical Job Settings
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Private Practice
Hospitals
Mental Health Clinics
Academic Settings
Courses to Consider
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PSY 314 Assessment
PSY 315 Psychological Testing
PSY 370 Abnormal
PSY 373 Intro to Clinical
PSY 405 Fieldwork
PSY 406 Applications of Psych
PSY 475 Clinical Interviewing
Clinical Psychology Faculty
Members
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Dr. Chun
Dr. Span
Dr. Fiebert
Dr. Urizar
Dr. Gonzalez
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Study human growth and development
throughout the lifespan
 Physical, cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual,
personality, and emotional development.
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Specialize in specific ages and stages of life:
 Infant, child, adolescent, adult, and elderly.
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Degree Requirements
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 PhD or PsyD
 PSY361 Child and Adolescent
Yearly Salary
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 Average is $56,500
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Courses to Consider
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Typical Job Settings
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Schools
Learning Centers
Hospitals
Mental Health Facilities
Nursing & Retirement Homes
Academia
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Development
PSY 362 Autism Spectrum
Disorders
PSY 363 Developmental
Psychopathology
PSY 365 Adult Development
and Aging
PSY 463 Social and
Personality Development
Developmental Psychology
Faculty Members
 Dr. Halim
 Dr. Correa-Chavez
 Dr. Pentz
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Educational psychologists focus on how humans learn in
educational settings.
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They focus on factors such as:
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Motivation
Intelligence
Study habits and organization
Perseverance
Response to success or failure
They also evaluate instructional methods by studying:
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Learning outcomes
Teaching materials
Curriculums
Assessment methods
Use of technology and media
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Degree Requirements
 PhD
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Yearly Salary
 Average is $67,000
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Typical Job Settings
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Schools
Government
Military
Corporate Settings
Private Enterprise
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Courses to Consider
 PSY 315 Psychological
Testing
 PSY 332 Human Cognition
 PSY 333 Psychology of
Learning
 PSY 361 Child and
Adolescent Development
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Forensic psychology is the production and application of
psychological knowledge to the civil and criminal justice system.
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Forensic psychologists provide their expertise to the judicial
system; their knowledge is generally within the areas of clinical
psychology, counseling psychology, neuropsychology, school
psychology, or other applied areas within psychology.
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Forensic psychologists:
 Perform assessments; provide treatment; consult with attorneys,
courts, and insurance companies; do trial consultation; provide
testimony; participate in program development and administration.
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Addressing a common misconception: Forensic Psychologists DO
NOT do criminal profiling
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Degree Requirements
 Masters or PhD
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Yearly Salary
 Entry level $60,000-$70,000
 Private practice $85,000-$95,000
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Typical Job Settings
• Government agencies
• Academia
• Correctional settings
• Law enforcement & police
departments
• Court clinics
• Hospitals
• Private practice
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Common Job Duties
 Competency evaluations
 Sentencing recommendations
 Evaluating the risk of reoffending
 Testimony as expert witness
 Child custody evaluations
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Courses to Consider
• PSY 332 Cognition
• PSY 351 Social Psychology
• PSY 356 Personality
• PSY 363 Developmental
Psychopathology
• PSY 370 Abnormal Psychology
• PSY 495 Psychology and the Law
• *Minoring or double majoring in
Criminal Justice
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Health Psychology examines how biological
characteristics, behavioral factors, psychological
factors, and social conditions interact to
influence health and illness.
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Health psychologists can participate in clinical
work, research, or public policy work.
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Applied health psychology research investigates
topics such as:
 Identification of disease risk
 Health promotion and disease prevention
 Psychosocial adjustment to chronic illness
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Degree Required
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 PhD or PsyD
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 PSY 336 Emotion
 PSY 337 Psychology of
Yearly Salary
Happiness
 PSY 378 Health Psychology
 PSY 379 Stress
 PSY 477 Psychology of
Addiction
 $40,000-$85,000
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Typical Job Settings
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Hospitals
Health Care Clinics
Private Corporations
Government
Academia
Courses to Consider
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Health Psychology
Faculty
 Dr. Amirkhan
 Dr. Urizar
 Dr. Chun
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Human factors is a field that seeks to improve design by
increasing the usability, safety, and efficiency of systems.
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The goal of human factors is to create a user-center design.
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Human factors is interdisciplinary and applied. HF
professionals use knowledge from various fields to improve
product and system design. In terms of psychology, the
focus is to apply knowledge about perceptual and cognitive
processes to improve the design and usability of systems.
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Human Factors can be applied almost anywhere! A few
examples: Human computer interaction (HCI), aviation and
aerospace, automobiles, medical, mobile devices, aging,
usability, design, and error prevention.
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Degree Requirements
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 Masters or PhD
 PSY 310 Intermediate
Yearly Salary
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 Average Starting: $81,444 -
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$122,166
 Average :$98,896 - $148,344
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Courses to Consider
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Typical Job Settings
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Academia
Industry
Medical
Government
Anywhere humans interact
with machines and
technology!
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Statistics
PSY 327 Intro to Human
Factors
PSY 331 Sensation &
Perception
PSY 332 Cognition
PSY 418 Computer
Applications
PSY 427 Human Factors
Human Factors Faculty
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Dr. Strybel
Dr. Vu
Dr. Miles
Dr. Chiappe
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Industrial organizational psychology is the branch of
psychology that applies psychological theories and
principles to organizations.
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This field focuses on increasing workplace
productivity and related issues such as the physical
and mental well being of employees.
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I/O is an applied field with the goal of understanding
the workplace. I/O professionals perform many tasks
such as studying worker attitudes and behavior,
evaluating companies, and conducting leadership
training.
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Degree Requirements
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 Masters or PhD
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 PSY 315 Assessment
 PSY 381 Intro to I/O
 PSY 383 Women, Family
Yearly Salary
and Work Issues
 PSY 384 Workplace
Diversity
 PSY 453 Group Dynamics
 Average $87,960
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Typical Job Settings
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Consulting Services
Industry
Government
Academia
Research Institutions
Schools
Employment Services
Courses to Consider
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I/O Faculty Members
 Dr. Whitney
 Dr. Warren
 Dr. Quon
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Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) are
relationship specialists who treat persons
involved in interpersonal relationships.
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They are trained to assess, diagnose and
treat individuals, couples, families and groups
to achieve more adequate, satisfying and
productive marriage, family and social
adjustment.
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Requirements for Licensure
 Ph.D. or Masters
 Passage of a comprehensive written
and oral examination
 At least 3,000 hours of supervised
experience.
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Yearly Salary
 $45,000-$60,000
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Typical Job Settings
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Outpatient Care Centers
Inpatient Care Facilities
Schools
Social Service Agencies
Mental Health Facilities
Private Practice
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Courses to Consider
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PSY 332 Human Cognition
PSY 336 Psychology of Emotion
PSY 351 Social Psychology
PSY 361 Psychology of Child and
Adolescent Development
 PSY 365 Psychology of Adult
Development and Aging
 PSY 3843 Women, Family, and
Work Issues
 *Minoring in Child Development
and Family Studies
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Neuropsychologists focus on how injuries or illnesses of
the brain affect cognitive functions and behaviors.
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The following are typical responsibilities of
neuropsychologists:
 Conducting academic research on neurological disorders
 Assessing and assisting people recovering from strokes, head
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injury and other neurological disorders
Forensically assessing individuals for neurological disorders
Administering brain scans and other neurocognitive tests
Consulting with pharmaceutical companies that develop drugs
affecting the central nervous system
Providing expert testimony during court trials
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Degree Required
Courses to Consider
 Ph.D.
 PSY 310 Intermediate
Yearly Salary
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 Average Starting: $77,000-
$80,000
 Average: $94,000-$150,000
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Typical Job Setting
 Private or Government
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research facilities
Academia
Hospitals and Clinics
Private Practice
Consulting Firms
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Statistics
PSY 314 Psychological
Assessment
PSY 332 Human Cognition
PSY 341 Neuropsychology
PSY 342
Psychopharmacology
PSY 363 Developmental
Psychopathology
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School psychologists seek to improve students’ well-being
by addressing developmental, emotional, social, and
academic problems that interfere with their education.
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They assess students with special needs such as physical,
emotional, and learning disabilities and assess the
coordination of special education programs designed to
assist them.
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Examine factors such as:
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Adjusting to school
Academic Achievement
Mental Health
Substance Abuse
Social Relationships
Life Stress
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Degree Required
 Masters, EdS, or PhD
 State certification required
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Yearly Salary
 Average $62,200
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Typical Job Settings
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Public Schools
Private Schools
Community agencies
Hospitals and clinics
Academia
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Courses to Consider
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PSY 314: Assessment
PSY 332: Cognition
PSY 333: Learning
PSY 361: Child and
Adolescent Development
 PSY 362: Autism Spectrum
Disorders
 PSY 363: Developmental
Psychopathology
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Social psychologists specialize in the factors influencing human behavior
in groups. In other words, they rely on scientific research to explain why
people behave and think the way they do in social settings.
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Although differences exist between psychologists and sociologists, social
psychologists utilize research and analytical methods used by both types
of specialists.
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Social psychologists examine factors such as:
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prejudice
aggression
conformity
social perception
group behavior
criminal activity
community health problems, like HIV and AIDS
substance abuse
family and domestic problems
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Degree Required
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 Masters or Ph.D.
 PSY 310 Intermediate
Yearly Salary
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 $70,000-$100,000
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Courses to consider
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Typical Job Setting
 Private or Government
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research facilities
Schools
Correctional Faculties
Social Welfare Organizations
Universities
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Statistics
PSY 314 Psychological
Assessment
PSY 351 Social Psychology
PSY 375 Community
Psychology
*minoring in Sociology
Social Psychologist Faculty
Members
 Dr. Pedersen
 Dr. Thoman
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There are two key areas of interest in sports psychology
 Understanding how psychology can be applied to improve motivation
and performance.
 Understanding how sports and athletics can improve mental health
and overall well-being.
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Sports psychology includes a range of topics including:
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Motivation to persist and achieve
Psychological considerations in sport injury and rehabilitation
Counseling techniques with athletes
Assessing talent
Exercise adherence and well-being
Self-perceptions related to achieving
Youth sports
Performance enhancement and self-regulation techniques
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Degree Requirements
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The Kinesiology
department at CSULB
offers a BS in Sports
Psychology
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Psychology Courses to
Consider
 Masters, PhD, or PsyD
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Yearly Salary
 $60,000-$80,000
 Can earn up to six figures if
works with professional
athletes
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Typical Job Settings
 Athletic organizations,
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departments, & teams
Military
Private Practice
Consultant work
Academia
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PSY 336 Emotion
PSY 351 Social Psychology
PSY 378 Health Psychology
PSY 453 Group Dynamics
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Differences in Emphasis
 PsyD is practice based
 PhD emphasizes research & practice
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Funding
 PhD programs generally offer more funding, therefore, PsyD
programs are usually more expensive.
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Time to Degree
 Generally PsyD students complete their degree in a year or two less
than PhD students. Most of this has to do with the fact that PhD
students have to design, conduct, write, and defend a dissertation.
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Bottom Line
 Both are doctoral degrees. Which type of program you decide to
attend depends on your personal career goals.
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The Psychology Department at CSULB offers three graduate
programs.
 MAPR: Master of Arts, Option in Psychological Research
 MSIO: Master of Science, Option in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
 MSHF: Master of Science, Option in Human Factors Psychology
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There are also Psychology related programs that are offered
outside of the psychology department.
 Masters in Counseling
▪ Option in Marriage and Family Therapy
 Masters in Education
▪ Option in Educational Psychology
 Masters in Kinesiology
▪ Option in Sport and Exercise Psychology
 Masters in Social Work
 Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology
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Non-Psychology Graduate Programs
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Medical School
Law School
Occupational Therapy
Creative Arts Therapy
Student Development in Higher Education
Jobs with a B.A.
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Psychiatric Technician
Human Resources Management
Probation and Parole Officer
Laboratory Assistants
Child Care
Elementary or High School Teacher
The Why, What, and How
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What are the benefits of research?
 Gain a better understanding of psychology
 Understand what an academic research career would
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be like
Decide if you enjoy research-especially if you want to
attend a research based grad program!
Learn new skills in research methods, statistical
analysis, teamwork, and oral presentation
Network and meet other students
Receive advising and mentorship from faculty
Access to opportunities such as authorship,
presentations, competitions, and conferences
Experience for graduate school
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Should have completed at least PSY 210
(Intro Stats) and PSY 220 (Research Methods)
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Preferably completed PSY 310 and several
upper division psychology courses
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Computer skills (such as SPSS, excel, etc.)
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Most of all be interested, enthusiastic,
reliable, punctual and honest!
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Data collection
Data encoding
Data analysis
Literature reviews
Animal care
Computer data entry
Interviewing
Running subjects
Running statistical programs
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Most important tip is to be proactive!
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Ask you professors! (tenure and tenure track)
Take classes with faculty you are interested in working with
Take classes related to your research interests
Get to know faculty and visit office hours
Participate in class
Look at department website under people for faculty interests
Check the Psychology Major Handbook for research interests
Use PsychInfo to look up past publications and show professors
you are genuinely interested and made an effort to research
their previous work
 Network! Join clubs, make friends, and don’t be afraid to ask
other people about their research experience
▪ PSA/Psi Chi is a great way to meet other psychology students
▪ Look in to joining PALS – a mentorship program in PRO
 FAFSA
 Scholarships
 Fellowships
 Grants
Be Aware!
Know your
Options 
 Loans
 Check in PRO for the scholarship boards
 CSULB Psychology Department Facebook will be
posting scholarship opportunities
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Try to visit at least once a semester! We are
here to help.
Contact info
 Located in PSY 206
 Email: csulbpro@gmail.com
 FaceBook: CSULB Psychology Department
 Website:
www.csulb.edu/colleges/cla/departments/psychol
ogy/pro
 Phone number: 562-985-5680
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Any questions?