About Us

The work of the psychologist is a search for knowledge about human and animal behavior to enhance the human condition. The Department of Psychology at CSU, Chico offers course work at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The undergraduate major in psychology is a diverse 40-unit liberal arts program. The major includes the completion of three laboratory courses to ensure that students have direct experience with the content of psychology.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Psychology is to promote the scientific understanding of mental processes and behavior, recognizing biological, developmental, cultural, and experiential influences.  To this end we value and will provide:

Goals

• High quality educational experiences that are representative of the breadth, diversity, interrelatedness, depth, application, and evolving nature of the discipline of psychology
• High quality undergraduate programs (e.g., B.A. and minor in Psychology) and graduate and professional training (i.e., MFT preparation, Pupil Personnel Services Credential, Psychological Science) that reflect the best of current knowledge, instruction, and training methods in the field
• An emphasis on critical thinking, evaluation and dissemination of knowledge, the scientific method and information literacy
• An environment that enhances the intellectual, personal, ethical and social development of students, staff and faculty
• An atmosphere and curriculum that encourage appreciation of the benefits derived from individual differences and cultural diversity
• Resources and support for enhancing a climate of scholarship, research, creativity, and collegiality among faculty, staff and students
• Service to address the needs of the university (general education, liberal studies, and other professional and interdisciplinary programs) regional, state, national and global communities.

Psychology Department Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will identify the theoretical bases of psychology and acquire knowledge, literacy, and understanding in core and extended areas of psychology.
• Students will exercise critical thinking, problem solving strategies, and scientific methodology in their academic studies and everyday lives.
• Students will recognize how psychological principles are used in applied settings and will use psychological principles when evaluating personal experience.
• Students will articulate and demonstrate values espoused in the field of psychology.
• Students will have an understanding of the complexity of cultural diversity.
• Students will communicate effectively to multiple audiences for multiple purposes.
• Students will demonstrate information literacy competence and use computers and other technology for multiple purposes.