The Three-Year Bachelor of Science in Psychology draws on input from Silicon Valley employers to provide a 90-credit program that blends psychological science, applied research, and behavioral insights for health and organizational settings.

Program Overview

SFBU’s Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (90-credit degree) is designed to provide students with a scientific understanding of human behavior and mental processes. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, research literacy, and applied learning to prepare students for entry-level roles in human services, organizational, and research settings.

The 90-credit format allows eligible domestic students to complete the degree in three years through a focused curriculum aligned with SFBU’s academic standards.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Psychology (90-credit degree), students will be able to:

  • Communicate psychological concepts and research findings effectively in written and oral forms
  • Apply statistical methods and research design principles to evaluate behavioral data
  • Critically analyze psychological theories and empirical evidence
  • Integrate knowledge across biological, cognitive, social, and developmental psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology (90-credit degree) requires completion of 90 total semester credits, structured as follows:

  • 30 credits of General Education (Agility Praxis Pathway)
  • 36 credits of required psychology coursework
  • 24 credits of elective coursework

All coursework must be completed in accordance with SFBU academic policies. Prerequisites and corequisites apply where required.

The psychology major curriculum includes foundations in psychological science, followed by breadth and diversity coursework and a senior capstone.

The following required major courses provide a foundation in psychology theory, research methods, and applied analysis.

  • PSY101: Introduction to Psychology (3)
  • PSY102: Psychology in Writing (3)
  • PSY103: Biopsychology (3)
  • PSY104: Statistical Methods in Psychology (3)
  • PSY105: Research Design, Methods and Evaluation (3)

Breadth Coursework (12 credits)

Students select four courses (12 credits) from the following:

  • PSY106: Social Psychology (3)
  • PSY107: Lifespan Development (3)
  • PSY108: Personality Theory (3)
  • PSY109: Abnormal Psychology (3)
  • PSY110: Cognitive Psychology (3)
  • PSY111: Principles and Methods of Counseling (3)
  • PSY112: Psychology of Death, Dying, and Bereavement (3)

Diversity Coursework (6 credits)

Students select two courses (6 credits) from the following:

  • PSY113: Psychology of Gender and Sexuality (3)
  • PSY114: Cross-cultural Psychology (3)
  • PSY115: Group Models of Counseling (3)
  • PSY116: Organizational Leadership Psychology (3)

Capstone Course (3 credits)

  • PSY495: Capstone (3)

The program concludes with a senior capstone that integrates psychological research methods, applied analysis, and disciplinary synthesis.

Students complete 24 credits of electives selected from approved psychology or interdisciplinary offerings. Electives allow students to tailor the program toward individual career goals or preparation for graduate study.

Elective courses include, but are not limited to:

  • PSY317: Psychology and Modern Literature (3)
  • PSY318: Artificial Intelligence and Psychology (3)
  • PSY319: Motivation and Emotion (3)
  • PSY340: Psychology of Aging (3)
  • PSY341: Psychology of Women in Organizations (3)
  • PSY342: Culture and Psychology (3)
  • PSY343: Health Psychology (3)
  • PSY344: Psychology of Trauma and Post-traumatic Growth (3)
  • PSY345: Cyberpsychology (3)

Additional psychology electives may be offered as the program expands.