San Francisco State University

Psychology is the study of all aspects of the human experience, such as functions of the brain, experiences within social situations, management of workers, and youth or elderly care. Psychologists work in all industries related to the human experience, such as careers in research, counseling, business, and education. Students within the Psychology Major will evaluate and apply psychological research and the scientific method in an effort to understand and improve the human experience. 

Psychology Major Program Impaction

In July 2009, the California State University Chancellor's Office approved impaction status for the Psychology Department. We declared impaction in order to better serve over 700 undergraduate majors by ensuring that they have seats in required courses, which will help them graduate in a timely manner.

Admission to the Psychology major is a selective and competitive process with attention given to GPA, financial need, first-generation college student status, and completion of an Associate Degree for Transfer.   The Department, in consultation with the University Admissions Office, reviews admissions criteria on an annual basis.  The major can accommodate approximately 350-400 new students annually.  Applications for admission to the major are accepted annually between October 1 and November 30.

​Once admitted, the major can be completed in 2 years by students taking 15 units per semester and following an advisor-approved roadmap.  Roughly half of our students take 12-14 units per semester with the remaining students split between those taking fewer than 12 units per semester and those students taking 15 or more units per semester.  Declaring impaction has improved students’ time to graduation and has allowed us to lower our student to faculty ratio.  Faculty are committed to fostering engaged learning and academic success among our majors and are more available for advising and mentoring with impaction.