Academic Catalogs

Psychology, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer (AA-T)

Banner Code: 1_AAT_PSYC

Control Number: 30596

Financial Aid Eligible


Students graduating with an Associate in Arts in Psychology for Transfer Degree are well positioned to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in a similar major within the California State University system with 60 units of upper-division coursework. Students who complete the Psychology AA-T degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU-transferable coursework. While a minimum 2.0 is required for CSU admission, some majors may require a higher GPA. Please consult a counselor for more information.

The field of psychology addresses the scientific study of behavior and mental processes of humans and animals. Learning more about human behavior through scientific research methods is the focus of many psychologists, while other psychologists apply principles of psychology in areas such as psychotherapy, applied behavioral analysis, and industrial/organizational psychology.

This psychology program offers a comprehensive view of psychology by offering a variety of courses that will support transfer in psychology, while providing a foundational understanding of the discipline of psychology, the methods psychologists use to learn about behavior, and applications of psychological information to the world around us.

Program Outcomes

  1. Identify and describe major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology.
  2. Students will be eligible and prepared for admission (SB 1440 and Education Code 66746) to California State University system schools.

Associate Degree for Transfer Requirements

The following is required for all AA-T or AS-T degrees:

  1. Minimum of 60 CSU-transferable semester units.
  2. Minimum GPA of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. While a minimum of 2.0 is required for admission, some majors require a higher GPA. Consult with a counselor for more information.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 18-semester units in the major as detailed in the Degree and Certificate section of this catalog. All courses in the major must be completed with a grade of C (or “P”) or better.
  4. Certified completion of the California State University General Education-Breadth pattern (CSU General Education Breadth — Option 2) OR the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC — Option 3).
  5. A minimum of 12 units in residence within the Coast Colleges (Orange Coast College, Golden West College and/or Coastline College).
Course Title Units
Required Courses
Core Courses
PSYC A100/A100HIntroduction to Psychology3
PSYC A160Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences4
or MATH A160 Introduction to Statistics
PSYC A280Introduction to Experimental Methods4
List A
PSYC A250Psychobiology3
List B
Select one of the following:3
PSYC A130
Life Span Developmental Psychology
PSYC A185
Principles of Psychology
PSYC A190/A190H
Cross-Cultural Psychology
PSYC A260
Social Psychology
List C
Select one course from above not yet taken or of the following:3
PSYC A220
Psychology of Personality
PSYC A255
Abnormal Psychology
PSYC A270
Psychology of Learning
Program Major Units20
CSU or IGETC for CSU 37-39
Transferable electives as needed to satisfy unit requirementVaries
Total Units60

Program Sequence - CSU

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PSYC A100
or PSYC A100H
 Introduction to Psychology
or Introduction to Psychology Honors
 3
CSU GE AREA A2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA C1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA B1 with lab - CHOOSE ONE 4
 Units13
Semester 2
PSYC A160
or MATH A160
 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
or Introduction to Statistics
 4
HIST A170
or HIST A170H
or HIST A175
or HIST A175H
 History of the United States to 1876 1
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
 3
PSYC A250 Psychobiology 3
CSU GE AREA A3 - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
CSU GE AREA C1 OR C2 - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units16-17
Year 2
Semester 1
PSYC A280 Introduction to Experimental Methods 4
PSCI A180
or PSCI A180H
 American Government 1
or American Government Honors
 3
CSU GE AREA A1 - CHOOSE ONE 3
ADT LIST B Course - CHOOSE ONE 3
PSYC A130
or PSYC A185
or PSYC A190/A190H
or PSYC A260
 Life Span Developmental Psychology
or Principles of Psychology
or Cross-Cultural Psychology
or Social Psychology
  
ADT LIST C Course - CHOOSE ONE 3
PSYC A220
or PSYC A255
or PSYC A270
 Psychology of Personality
or Abnormal Psychology
or Psychology of Learning
  
Or select one course from List B not yet taken
  
 Units16
Semester 2
CSU GE AREA E - CHOOSE ONE 3
CSU GE AREA F - CHOOSE ONE 3
ELECTIVE (CSU TRANSFERABLE) 2 9
 Units15
 Total Units60-61
1

American Ideals Requirement - CSU Graduation Requirement

2

VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS

Program Sequence - IGETC

These sequences at Orange Coast College are general course curriculum maps for students to finish all major and general education requirements for two-year completion of degrees, and/or fulfillment of transfer requirements. The course sequence may include course prerequisites and other placement requirements. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor to review course selections and sequences to ensure that completion of this program will meet a student's transfer and career goals. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Semester 1Units
PSYC A100
or PSYC A100H
 Introduction to Psychology
or Introduction to Psychology Honors
 3
PSYC A160
or MATH A160
 Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences
or Introduction to Statistics
 4
IGETC GE AREA 1A - CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 3A - CHOOSE ONE 3
 Units13
Semester 2
PSCI A180
or PSCI A180H
 American Government 1
or American Government Honors
 3
HIST A170
or HIST A170H
or HIST A175
or HIST A175H
 History of the United States to 1876 2
or History of the United States to 1876 Honors
or History of the United States Since 1876
or History of the United States Since 1876 Honors
 3
PSYC A250 Psychobiology 3
IGETC GE AREA 1B - CHOOSE ONE 3-4
IGETC GE AREA 5A with lab - CHOOSE ONE 4
 Units16-17
Year 2
Semester 1
PSYC A280 Introduction to Experimental Methods 4
IGETC GE AREA 4 - CHOOSE ONE 3
IGETC GE AREA 1C - CHOOSE ONE or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 3 3
ADT LIST B Course - CHOOSE ONE 3
PSYC A130
or PSYC A185
or PSYC A190/A190H
or PSYC A260
 Life Span Developmental Psychology
or Principles of Psychology
or Cross-Cultural Psychology
or Social Psychology
  
ADT LIST C Course - CHOOSE ONE 3
PSYC A220
or PSYC A255
or PSYC A270
 Psychology of Personality
or Abnormal Psychology
or Psychology of Learning
  
Or select one course from List B not yet taken
  
 Units16
Semester 2
IGETC GE AREA 3A OR 3B - CHOOSE ONE 3
LOTE: Foreign Language or ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 4 3-5
ELECTIVE (UC TRANSFERABLE) 5 9
 Units15-17
 Total Units60-63
1

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 4 and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from IGETC GE AREA 4

2

American Ideals Requirement - IGETC GE AREA 3B and CSU Graduation Requirement OR take another course from IGETC GE AREA 3B

3

IGETC GE AREA 1C - CSU Requirement

4

LOTE Requirement for UC only. If met LOTE through HS then take elective units to meet minimum 60 transferable units

5
VARIES TO REACH MINIMUM 60 TRANSFERABLE UNITS