Welcome to the Psychology Department!

Attention! For those applying to join the Fall 2021 cohort of our Master's programs, the GRE requirement has been waived for this application cycle. Applicants do not have to take the GRE to be considered for admission.

The SFSU Psychology Clinic Has Openings!

Do you, or someone you know need some support during these tough times? The San Francisco State University Psychology Clinic is offering low-cost tele-health therapy services to SFSU students and members of the community. You don’t have to be a student to attend the clinic, and sessions start as low as $15, though no one is turned away based on cost. Often people feel that if they’re not struggling with something like serious clinical depression, that therapy is not necessary, but we’re all facing several stressful situations right now -- and the well-trained interns and clinicians at SFSU's Psychology Clinic can help! Call or email for an intake appointment: 415-338-2856, sfsupsyclin@gmail.com  

Virtual Graduate Preview Week (Oct. 26 - Oct. 29)

Are you interested in applying to one of our graduate programs in Psychology for Fall 2021? The department will be hosting virtual information sessions from October 26 - 29. The first session will be a general overview of the application and admissions process. That will be followed by separate sessions for specific areas of study, hosted by our faculty and current graduate students. They will be staggered throughout the week for those who are interested in more than one program. You will have the opportunity to ask faculty and students about the graduate program, coursework, opportunities after earning your Master's degree, etc. The dates and times for the sessions are listed below. Please visit the Virtual Grad Preview Week Information and Sign Up Page to register!

Oct 26, 2020 6:00 PM-7:00 PM - General Graduate Program Overview 

Oct 27, 2020 6:00 PM-7:00 PM - Clinical Psychology Program Overview 

Oct 27, 2020 7:00 PM-8:00 PM - Developmental Program Overview 

Oct 28, 2020 6:00 PM-7:00 PM - Mind, Brain, & Behavior Psychology Program Overview

Oct 28, 2020 7:00 PM-8:00 PM - Social, Personality, and Affective Science Program Overview

Oct 29, 2020 06:00 PM-7:00 PM - School Psychology Program Overview

Oct 29, 2020 01:00 PM-2:00 PM - Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program Overview (Session 1)

Oct 29, 2020 07:00 PM-8:00 PM - Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program Overview (Session 2)

A Message from our Psychology Department Study Abroad Program

Though we all continue to shelter-in-place due to COVID-19, that has not stopped the learning process of our Gators. Our Study Abroad program would like to share the fruits of their labor with you: a Youtube channel featuring tips for self-care, social-emotional resources for young children, and shout-outs to all our essential workers from students like you!

We are starting you all off with their introductory video, but feel free to explore and share their channel with friends and family.

Department Office is Closed Until Further Notice

If you have any questions, please email us at psych@sfsu.edu and we will get back to you shortly. 

For updates on the status of campus operations, please follow the link: https://news.sfsu.edu/coronavirus

Current Students

Remote Advising

Due to the status of campus operations, advising centers on campus have shifted to remote advising.

Major Requirements

The Core requirements consist of PSY 200, 303, 305GWAR, 371, 400 and 690. Students must earn a grade of C or better in all core classes and a grade of CR must be earned in 303 and 690. Courses 200, 305, 371 and 400 must be taken for a letter grade. There are three basic areas in which students must complete 6 units apiece, for a total of 18 units. Additionally, students must complete 9 units from upper division Psychology electives or from any basic areas.

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 accomodate 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.