Transfer Degree-Emphasis

Psychology Emphasis, Associate in Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA)

Area of Study
Social Sciences and Education

Overview

Complete your Associate in Arts Degree, Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) with an emphasis in Psychology, the science of human behavior, in preparation for transferring to a four-year university. Psychology offers opportunities for students interested in counseling and clinical work as career paths, but also offers career pathways focused on studying the relationship between brain and behavior, how people make decisions and solve problems, and how people process information in their environments.

Sample Schedule  

This sample schedule is provided as a guide for a full-time student starting in fall quarter whose goal is to earn the AA-DTA. The courses are designed with the appropriate number of credits to meet degree requirements and are organized in a recommended sequence. Please consult an advisor to schedule courses and develop a personalized educational plan.  

      Your personal educational plan will vary based on many factors including:

  • The quarter you begin
  • How many classes/credits you plan to take in each quarter
  • Your math and English placement
  • If you have credits you have already taken and plan to transfer them
  • The college you are interested in transferring to
  • If you start in our Transitional Studies program

Sample Career Options

  • Clinical psychologist
  • Cognitive scientist
  • Counseling psychologist
  • Human factors specialist
  • School psychologist

Transfer and Degree Requirements

Students working toward their transfer degree typically take a variety of courses designed to fulfill the general requirements of most four-year colleges and universities. Students intending to transfer to a four-year college for further study are encouraged to work closely with their advisor and transfer institution to explore the requirements of the college they wish to attend after Peninsula. Most institutions have separate admission criteria, which may be based on grades, prerequisite coursework, test scores, and other considerations. Our sample schedule is designed to provide you with faculty recommended courses to complete your AA-DTA degree with an emphasis in psychology, but is not a major ready pathway for every institution.

Transfer Institution Information

Students must select credits from three distribution lists: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities. A specific course may be credited toward no more than one distribution requirement. A minimum of fifteen credits in two separate subject areas must be selected from each list. For Natural Sciences, at least five credits must be a lab. For Humanities, no more than five credits can be a Humanities-Performance course and no more than five credits may be applied in world languages at the 100 level.

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes are listed on the Area of Study webpage.

First Quarter

Meet with your advisor to talk about your long-term schedule and create an educational plan to complete your degree.

Catalog #
Title
Credits
5

This course provides support, develops positive connections, and opens learning opportunities to help students identify and pursue their academic and career goals. Through a process of self-discovery, students cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves that highlights their unique strengths and identifies areas for growth. Students will also learn how to navigate college systems and understand its specialized vocabulary and procedures. Throughout, this course reassures students of all backgrounds and abilities that they belong. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Elective)

This class has a fee of $12.13.

Credits: 5

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5

Active reading, effective writing, and critical thinking, using subjective and objective approaches. Introduction to research techniques. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Communication Skills)

Credits: 5

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5

Introduction to science of behavior. Emphasis on biological foundations of behavior, cognition, learning, intelligence, motivation, memory, personality, and psychological disorders. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

Credits: 5

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Sub-Total Credits
15

Second Quarter

You’re doing it! Check in with your advisor to stay on track.

Catalog #
Title
Credits
BIOL& 100 or BIOL& 160  +

Survey of Biology or 

General Biology

5
ENGL& 102 or PSYC& 200  +

Composition II or

Lifespan Psychology

5
5

Introduction to methods and applications of elementary descriptive and inferential statistics; summarizing data graphically and numerically, probability, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, correlation and linear regression. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences, Elective)

Credits: 5

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Sub-Total Credits
15

Third Quarter

Now is the time to explore transfer options. Make a transfer appointment with your advisor or the Career and Transfer Center.

Catalog #
Title
Credits
CHEM& 110 or CHEM& 121  +

Chemical Concepts or

Introduction to Chemistry

5
PSYC 210 or PSYC 250  +

Cognitive or

Social Psychology

5
5

Human social behavior, social institutions, and society from sociological perspective. Includes introduction to sociological theory and research and application to topics such as social structure, socialization, deviance, inequality, and stratification. Completion of ENGL& 101 or concurrent enrollment recommended. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

Credits: 5

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Sub-Total Credits
15

Fourth Quarter

Transfer applications are open. We are here to help with the transfer process.

Catalog #
Title
Credits
5

Explores classic and modern elements of persuasion and applies that understanding to assemble, deliver, and evaluate extemporaneous speeches. Eligibility for or concurrent enrollment in ENGL& 101 is recommended. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Humanities, Elective)

Credits: 5

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Natural Sciences  +
5
5

Applies principles of science to study of abnormal behavior. Develop broad understanding of origin, characteristics, and classification of mental disorders from perspectives of psychological theory and research. Introduction to applied areas of diagnosis and assessment incorporated. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Social Sciences, Elective)

Credits: 5

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Sub-Total Credits
15

Fifth Quarter

You’re knocking on the door! Check your Degree Progress Report to avoid any surprises and then apply for graduation.

Catalog #
Title
Credits
Elective  +

Take any course 100 level or above.

5
ENGL& 102 or PSYC& 200  +

Composition II or

Lifespan Psychology

5
5

Examination of central issues from each major branch of philosophy. Emphasis on understanding and evaluating diverse answers to philosophical questions about human knowledge, existence, and moral values. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Humanities, Elective)

Credits: 5

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Sub-Total Credits
15

Sixth Quarter

You're almost done! Time to order that cap and gown. Good luck on your final quarter!

Catalog #
Title
Credits
Humanities  +
5
PSYC 210 or PSYC 250  +

Cognitive or

Social Psychology

5
Social Sciences  +
5
Sub-Total Credits
15
Total Credits
90