Psychology

Psychology is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the mind. It is a natural and a social science concerned with the study of human behavior. As such, it is a broad discipline which involves both pure science and practical application of science to matters of everyday living.  The Psychology AA degree program provides students with a basic understanding of motivation and behavior that is valuable to many careers in business, government, education, and health care.  Becoming a “psychologist,” however, requires graduate level training. Psychologists with graduate degrees and professional certificates have a broad range of employment opportunities including clinical practice, research, and teaching. Hartnell College offers lower division transfer courses to meet the requirements for most baccalaureate majors offered by accredited colleges and universities. Psychology and counseling faculty are excellent resources for additional career information.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Upon successful completion of the Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer Degree, a student should be able to:

          • demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and                          historical trends in psychology.

          • apply knowledge of basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and              interpretation.

          • use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to solving problems                       related to behavioral and mental processes.

          • apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.