Department of Psychology

Martin Luther King Hall, C-Wing, Room 3104
Phone (323) 343-2250 | Fax (323) 343 -2281 | [email protected]

Office Hours: MON - THU, 8:00am to 6:00pm and FRI, 8:00am to 5:00pm

 

A Message from the Chair of the Department:

 

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      “I did not know then that this is what life is—just when you master the geometry of one world, it slips away, and suddenly again, you’re swarmed by strange shapes and impossible angles”

Ta-Nehisi Coates

 

 

Dear Students,

        I hope that you are all settling in to the ‘new not-normal’ and that you and your loved ones are remaining healthy and safe.

       We wanted to let you know that we are working hard to ensure that you have an enriching experience for Fall 2020, despite having to remain remote for the semester. Several of our instructors have taken one or more workshops on delivering a rewarding academic experience for you via remote learning. Some things they have learned are: using low-bandwidth activities, staying connected to students, providing necessary resources and support for students, and incorporating more inclusive, equitable, and anti-racist activities in their courses.

                Remember to check CSULA’s Health Watch page daily for updates about housing, grants, and coursework-related issues. Also, here’s information about financial aid.

Fall 2020:

  1. Registration for fall 2020 courses is occurring now, and will continue until courses are full. For permits to enroll in restricted courses for fall 2020, please email [email protected]. Please note that it will take approximately 2 – 3 days for you to receive your permit, as we have to check your eligibility for them.
  2. Make sure that your financial aid or tuition fee payment is in order, because sometimes you will not be able to register and you may receive an error message if you have outstanding fees.
  3. Remember to register during the time that you can. Some classes fill quickly.
  4. One course that’s still open is PSY 4900, “Human Memory”, which is actually more about eyewitness memory in testimonies of eye witnesses. 

The psychology department’s faculty, office staff, and I want to help you to succeed, especially during these difficult times. If you have questions, please feel free to email us at [email protected] (remember to give us 2 – 3 days to get back to you).

 

We’ll keep the lamp burning for you.

 

Warmly,

Dr. Gaithri Fernando, Department Chair and Professor of Psychology

​Psychology alumni pose for a photograph following their graduation ceremony.

Welcome!

The Department of Psychology offers programs leading to Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of Science degrees. A minor is also available for students who are majoring in other fields in which a knowledge of psychology would be beneficial.

Psychology is the scientific study of the behavior of both humans and animals. Some psychologists are primarily concerned with learning more about human behavior through scientific methods; others are concerned with the application of psychological principles, as in psychotherapy, applied behavior analysis, and industrial psychology.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Major Specific Admission Requirements

The Psychology major has 'Major Specific Admission Requirements.'  Effective Fall 2018, supplementary admission criteria will be used for incoming freshman, transfer students, and current students interested in changing majors to psychology.  Please see below.

» If you are interested in applying to Cal State LA as an incoming freshmen or transfer student, please review the information regarding Major Specific Admission Requirements for the psychology major. If you have questions about these requirements, you can contact the Office of Admissions at (323) 343-3901, send an email to [email protected], or visit the Student Information Center located in Student Affairs, Room 101.

» Current Cal State LA students interested in changing majors to psychology: please review the requirements and application.

Quicklinks

Message from the Chair

Thank you for deciding to pursue your education in the Department of Psychology. We hope that your academic career at Cal State L.A. will offer you many new intellectual challenges and rewards in the pursuit of your personal goals.

In addition to a variety of formal academic experiences available in psychology classes, Psi Chi, our chapter of the national psychology organization, and the Psychology Colloquium provide students with a number of activities that should be of interest to you.

The careful planning of your academic program is an important first step toward ensuring your success at Cal State L.A. Be sure to meet with an academic advisor or your mentor to help plan your academic program.

 

Gaithri Fernando, Department Chair