Your particular degree depends on when you declared Psychology as your major and whether you are earning a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Sciences (BS) in Psychology. Use a degree sheet to keep track of your degree requirements.
What's the difference between the BA and the BS?
Neither degree is better than the other, they are simply different. The BA has more applied curriculum so that you are working with the theories in written, oral, and practical ways. The BA is more science-oriented curriculum that is suitable for students who are interested in neuroscience, medical school (including psychiatry) and health-related graduate programs. NOTE: Earning either degree does NOT stop you from applying to graduate programs in any field!!
If a class counts for the Psychology major, can it count for core curriculum or as an elective?
No. This is considered "double dipping." You cannot count a course as both your major and as core curriculum or as an elective. This is because your degree should expose you to both a broad education (core curriculum), a specialized topic (Psychology and any minors), and high-level critical thinking courses (upper division electives). You may notice that once your major is officially declared your academic requirements may change, in that some classes that once counted towards one requirement, such as cultural diversity, may now count towards the major.
I'm earning a BA and declared Fall 2014 or later. Should I take Psych 375 or Psych 497 as my capstone course?
This depends on your own interests. Students in 497 will be placed in an internship where you will help provide clinical services to the community. You will also be enrolled in a class where you discuss and write about your experiences and the theory you are witnessing in your internship. Students interesting in going on to become counselors/therapists tend to be interested in 497. Students in 375 will conduct an independent research project with the guidance of a faculty member. You will also be enrolled in a class to help you through this process and will conclude with a paper and a poster presentation of the NSC community. Students interested in going to PhD programs tend to be interested in 375.
I'm a transfer student, what should I be thinking about?
Keep in mind that you need 32 upper division units taken at NSC. While the minimum number of units to graduate is 120, if 32 of those units are not at NSC you do not qualify to graduate. You also need to take 60 units at any four-year institution. A four-year institution is a school like NSC (for example, a California State University) or a school like UNLV.
What are the Upper Division electives?
Every student who earns a degree at NSC must complete 21 units (usually 7 3-unit courses) that are 300 or 400 level courses, which are considered "upper division." These are beyond the electives necessary for your Psychology major. Students often believe that their upper division courses in Psychology will count, but they only count if you have already fulfilled your major requirements. However, if you have declared a minor any upper division units can count toward both the minor and the upper division electives. Keep in mind that only minor courses that are 300 level or higher will count towards the upper division electives requirement to graduate.
What's the difference between the BA and the BS?
Neither degree is better than the other, they are simply different. The BA has more applied curriculum so that you are working with the theories in written, oral, and practical ways. The BA is more science-oriented curriculum that is suitable for students who are interested in neuroscience, medical school (including psychiatry) and health-related graduate programs. NOTE: Earning either degree does NOT stop you from applying to graduate programs in any field!!
If a class counts for the Psychology major, can it count for core curriculum or as an elective?
No. This is considered "double dipping." You cannot count a course as both your major and as core curriculum or as an elective. This is because your degree should expose you to both a broad education (core curriculum), a specialized topic (Psychology and any minors), and high-level critical thinking courses (upper division electives). You may notice that once your major is officially declared your academic requirements may change, in that some classes that once counted towards one requirement, such as cultural diversity, may now count towards the major.
I'm earning a BA and declared Fall 2014 or later. Should I take Psych 375 or Psych 497 as my capstone course?
This depends on your own interests. Students in 497 will be placed in an internship where you will help provide clinical services to the community. You will also be enrolled in a class where you discuss and write about your experiences and the theory you are witnessing in your internship. Students interesting in going on to become counselors/therapists tend to be interested in 497. Students in 375 will conduct an independent research project with the guidance of a faculty member. You will also be enrolled in a class to help you through this process and will conclude with a paper and a poster presentation of the NSC community. Students interested in going to PhD programs tend to be interested in 375.
I'm a transfer student, what should I be thinking about?
Keep in mind that you need 32 upper division units taken at NSC. While the minimum number of units to graduate is 120, if 32 of those units are not at NSC you do not qualify to graduate. You also need to take 60 units at any four-year institution. A four-year institution is a school like NSC (for example, a California State University) or a school like UNLV.
What are the Upper Division electives?
Every student who earns a degree at NSC must complete 21 units (usually 7 3-unit courses) that are 300 or 400 level courses, which are considered "upper division." These are beyond the electives necessary for your Psychology major. Students often believe that their upper division courses in Psychology will count, but they only count if you have already fulfilled your major requirements. However, if you have declared a minor any upper division units can count toward both the minor and the upper division electives. Keep in mind that only minor courses that are 300 level or higher will count towards the upper division electives requirement to graduate.