This recommended pathway meets the requirements of the AAS/DTA degree and prepares you for a university major in psychology. But you can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1 (12-17 credits)
PSYC& 100 General psychology (5 credits)
ENGL& 101 English composition I (5 credits)
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Optional:
EDPL 100 College success (2 credits)
This course is really helpful if you don't have much college experience. Take it with either two or three of the other courses. If you choose a light first quarter, you may want to take a course during the summer.
Career exploration:
- Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs that relate to your career goals. Find out where students in your pathway go to study.
- Learn about careers in psychology as part of PSYC& 100.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan in Starfish.
- Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
- Visit the Intercultural Center, the Learning Center and the library.
Quarter 2 (15 credits)
PSYC& 200 Lifespan psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal psychology (5 credits)
ENGL 201 Advanced composition (5 credits)
or ENGL 202 Writing about literature (5 credits)
or ENGL& 235 Technical writing (5 credits)
MATH& 146 Intro to statistics (5 credits) (preferred)
or MATH& 107 Math in society (5 credits)
or MATH& 141 Precalculus I (5 credits)
If you aren't ready for 100-level math, start the math sequence that leads to it.
Career exploration:
- Learn about careers in psychology as part of PSYC& 220.
- Compare the different psychology majors at universities you're interested in. Consider a complementary minor that will prepare you in another way for what you want to do.
- Start keeping a portfolio of your best work.
Quarter 3 (15 credits)
PSYC& 180 Human sexuality (5 credits)
or PSYC& 200 Lifespan psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC 211 Social psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC& 225 Cognitive psychology (5 credits)
BIOL& 100 Survey of biology (5 credits)
or CHEM& 121 Intro to chemistry (5 credits)
or CHEM& 161 General chemistry with lab I (5 credits)
or ANTH& 215 Bioanthropology with lab (5 credits)
CMST& 210 Interpersonal communication (5 credits)
or CMST& 220 Public speaking (5 credits)
or CMST 230 Small group communication (5 credits)
Career exploration:
- Attend an event put on by Whatcom's counseling staff.
- Ask your instructors about nearby conferences you might attend next year.
- Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item:
- Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Summer
If you opted for 12 credits in Quarter 1, consider taking the course you postponed this summer to catch up.
Quarter 4 (15 credits)
PSYC& 180 Human sexuality (5 credits)
or PSYC& 200 Lifespan psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC 211 Social psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC& 225 Cognitive psychology (5 credits)
Science/Math (5 credits): a course with "MS" or MS l" at the end of the course description. It can be a science, an additional 100-level math course, or a programming course.
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description.
Career exploration:
- Listen to podcasts about psychology or the kind of career you're aiming for.
Action items:
- Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
- Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5 (15 credits)
PSYC& 180 Human sexuality (5 credits)
or PSYC& 200 Lifespan psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC 211 Social psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC& 220 Abnormal psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC& 225 Cognitive psychology (5 credits)
or PSYC 289 Learning contract (2-5 credits): an independent study with a faculty mentor
Science (5 credits): a physical or biological science with "MS" or "MS l" at the end of the course description.
Electives (5-8 credits)
Not psychology courses. Something from your minor?
Take a higher number of elective credits if you choose a psychology learning contract with fewer than 5 credits.
Action items:
Apply to graduate.
Quarter 6 (15 credits)
Social science (5 credits): a course with "SS" at the end of the course description, but not a psychology course
Humanities (5 credits): a course with "H" at the end of the course description
Elective (5 credits)
Not a psychology course.
Career exploration:
- Attend the spring job fair
Course Suggestions
Humanities or electives
- ART& 100 Art appreciation
- ART 106 Art of the Pacific Northwest Native Americans (3 credits)
- ART 107 Art in world cultures
- ART 115 2D design
- ART 116 3D design
- ART 134 The art of color
- ART 185 Intro to visual communications
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- CMST 250 Communication theory
- ENGL 238 Gender and literature
- ENGL 267 Native American literature
- ENGL 282 Intro to world literature
- FILM 240 Documentary film
- FILM 264 Women in film
- FILM 280 International film
- FILM 294 Special topics in film studies
- HUM& 101 Intro to the humanities (6 credits)
- HUM 106 Humanities here and now (1 credit)
If you want to take this 1-credit supplement to HUM& 101, you must take them together.
- HUM 170 Cultural history and practices
- HUM 220 The western cultural tradition
- HUM 260 American cultural studies
- HUM 270 Studies in global culture
- IDS 152 Religion, society and self-concept
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- PHIL& 101 Intro to philosophy
- PHIL& 115 Critical thinking
- PHIL 130 Intro to ethics
- PHIL 132 Environmental ethics
- PHIL 140 Intro to world religions
- PHIL 200 Philosophy of religion
Social Sciences or electives
- ANTH& 100 Survey of anthropology
- ANTH& 200 Intro to language
- ANTH& 204 Archaeology
- ANTH& 206 Cultural anthropology
- ANTH& 210 Indians of North America
- ANTH& 216 Northwest coast Indians
- ANTH 225 Psychological anthropology
This course is strongly recommended.
- ANTH& 235 Cross cultural medicine
- ANTH 250 Applied anthropology
- CMST 205 Gender communication
- CMST 225 Intercultural communication
- CMST 250 Communication theory
- CJ& 101 Intro to criminal justice
- ECED& 105 Intro to early childhood education
- ECON 100 Survey of economic principles
- ECON 110 Principles of environmental economics
- ECON 203 Economic problems in historical perspective
- ECON 205 Alternative economic systems
- ECON 210 Economic ethics
- ECON 260 Introduction to international trade
- HIST: Any history course
- IDS 112 Ethnomathematics
- IDS 113 Quantitative methods in the social sciences
- IDS 152 Religion, society and self-concept
- IDS 161 Literature, science and gender
- IDS 180 Visual media and culture
- POLS& 101 Intro to political science
- POLS& 201 Intro to political theory
- SALI 201 Intro to the Salish Sea
- SOC& 101 Intro to sociology
- SOC 120 Marriage and family
- SOC& 201 Social problems
- SOC 210 Urban sociology
- SOC 220 Contemporary social issues
- SOC 250 Multicultural issues