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BS Psychology

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Why do humans behave in the way that they do? How can we use psychological science to improve the human condition and encourage everyone to thrive and lead happy productive lives? The Undergraduate Psychology Program strives to develop in its students a deep knowledge and understanding of human behavior to improve the lives of individuals in our diverse and ever-changing society.

The undergraduate program offers a range of classes for students seeking to fulfill general education requirements, to satisfy their curiosity about human behavior, or those who have selected psychology as a major or minor. The diversity of required and elective courses provides students with opportunities to study and have first-hand experience with a wide range of human behavior and problems. Adopting an applied focus, the Psychology program strives to prepare students for careers in and out of the field of psychology through its broad approach, which includes principles and theories in psychology, methodology, laboratory, and applied courses.

In addition to the traditional in-classroom instruction, the internship class encourages students to be active in the community by providing opportunity for direct work with children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of community-level agencies. The research classes in the program encourage students to design, conduct, evaluate and present their own research studies, while lab courses provide hands-on experience.

As an integral part of the on-campus traditional undergraduate Cástulo de la Rocha College of Health and Community Well-Being, the psychology major is also offered at our Bakersfield and Naval Base Ventura County locations and through the Campus Accelerated Program for Adults, which offers weekend, accelerated evening, and online classes.

Course Highlights

The vast and diverse course offerings include an introduction to the field and its career options, including: statistics, research methods, experimental design, development across the lifespan, multicultural sensitivity and understanding in a socio-cultural context, as well as how the brain and behavior are inseparably bound together. Students further learn how to conduct their own research projects in the culminating course, Experimental Psychology.

Program Mission

The mission of the psychology program is to prepare undergraduate students for their academic, professional, and personal futures by providing them with a well-balanced undergraduate education in psychology covering theory, research, and practice.

Program Goals

Ultimately, psychology majors will:

  1. acquire a foundation in the principles and theories of psychology;
  2. demonstrate basic skills in consuming scientific information;
  3. apply the scientific method in the study of human behavior;
  4. obtain practical experience at an internship setting;
  5. develop awareness of diversity issues in the field of psychology;
  6. receive good program and career related advising; and
  7. obtain employment in related fields and attend graduate school.

Beyond La Verne

Alumni enter into diverse graduate and doctoral psychology programs at prestigious institutions, including:

  • University of Virginia
  • University of Southern California
  • University of La Verne
  • University of California, Merced

All psychology students are required to participate in an internship working in a community-based social service agency related to their academic interest. These opportunities have propelled students into various roles at organizations, such as:

  • Patton State Hospital
  • Tarzana Treatment Center
  • Youth Opportunity Center
  • McClean Hospital

Ready to apply?

La Verne’s psychology program has start dates throughout the year. Pick one that’s right for you.

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