Psychology

Dean: Traci Fahimi
Academic Chair: Michael Cassens
Faculty: Michael Cassens; Benjamin Mis, PhD; Yemmy Taylor, PhD; Kari Tucker, PhD

Courses

Psychology courses at Irvine Valley College provide academic instruction in basic psychology concepts, theories, terminology and research methods, and promote students’ life skills, personal growth and interpersonal effectiveness.

Major

Students majoring in psychology at the lower-division level focus on understanding human personality and behavior, cognition, and emotions, as well as researching psychological issues of current concern. The critical insight that psychology requires makes this major especially appropriate for those considering careers in any of the helping professions, teaching, or behavioral research; or for those seeking a widely applicable liberal arts background.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the psychology program, students will be able to

List and describe the national, regional, and local psychological organizations which serve as informational resources and offer student memberships.
State they were well-prepared to succeed in upper division coursework at their transfer university.
Present a paper and/or a poster describing their psychological research study. A given presentation will take place in front of a classroom and/or at a local, regional, or national psychology conference and will conform to APA presentation guidelines.
Identify the most appropriate statistical procedure, given different research scenarios.
Demonstrate knowledge of proper content and formatting for an APA style manuscript.
Use Statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistical software to perform the basic descriptive and inferential statistical procedures taught in introductory statistical courses.
Describe several occupations within the field of psychology and the academic pathways leading to those occupations.
Demonstrate knowledge of psychology’s different perspectives.
Cite and interpret current research evidence for alternative positions regarding key psychological issues.

Potential Careers (For Non-Transfer Degree Recipients)

Because psychology seeks to understand many aspects of the individual (e.g., biological, motivational, cognitive, perceptual, attitudinal, developmental, personality, social influences, among others), it has many subdivisions or areas of specialization. Thus, the field of psychology offers many career choices and much flexibility.

In addition to interesting, challenging, and financially stable jobs, graduates in psychology spend a majority of their time understanding and/or helping others in many different settings. For example, graduates in psychology (especially those with graduate degrees) work in such settings as the following:

Business and Industry
- Market Research Analyst
- Customer Service Director
- Advertising Manager
- Human Resources Administrator
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Nursing Home Administrator
- Personnel Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Sales Representative
Computer Applications
Correctional institutions
- Probation/Parole Officer
Counseling and Psychology
- Admissions Counselor
- Career Counselor
- Guidance Counselor
- Marriage Counselor
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Substance Abuse Counselor
- Youth Counselor
Education
Health
- Gerontologist
- Hospital Administrator
- Mental Health Worker
- Speech Pathologist
Law
Medicine
Military or Other Governmental Work
Pharmaceuticals
Public Relations
Research
Social Work
- Child Welfare Worker
- Community Services Agency Director
- Social Worker
Sports

Some choose to work in more than one of these areas over their career, and most psychologists (those with an earned doctorate degree) earn above the median salary in the United States. No matter which area or setting a psychology graduate chooses, the field will always provide opportunities to understand and help others-the hallmark of the career in psychology.

Psi Beta: National Honor Society in Psychology

Psi Beta’s mission is to encourage professional development and psychological literacy of all students at two-year colleges through promotion and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research, and community service. Psi Beta members experience educational enrichment through service activities, participation in professional psychology conferences, and competition for national awards. IVC’s Psi Beta chapter has been active since 1992.

All students are welcome to participate in Psi Beta meetings and on-campus activities. However, to qualify for membership in the national Psi Beta organization, a student must have completed 12 semester units at the college level, at least one college psychology course with a grade of “B” or higher, and have a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.25 or higher. After paying a one-time-only fee to the national Psi Beta office, membership is for life.

For more information about Psi Beta, students may email Dr. Kari Tucker-McCorkhill (at ktucker@ivc.edu) or Michael Cassens (mcassens@ivc.edu), who are two of the Psi Beta chapter advisors.

Programs

Associate in Arts

Psychology, AA

Associate in Arts for Transfer

Psychology for Transfer, AA-T

Catalog and Student Handbook

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