Breadcrumb
Department of Psychology
The Cal Poly Humboldt Psychology department is dedicated to providing undergraduate and graduate students with the skills to scientifically and critically evaluate psychological processes.
Our B.A. and M.A. courses address the impact of culture and context on human functioning, fostering an appreciation for differences through research and applied experiences. Our supportive faculty prepare our students to apply their knowledge and skills from psychology to create a socially just and equitable society.
Undergraduate Degree
Psychology, B.A.
Our program provides a strong foundation in psychology that prepares students for careers working in various fields such as health, education, research, or business as well as graduate school in psychology or other related fields.
Graduate Degrees
Counseling Psychology, M.A.
The program prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of psychological counseling. The program is accredited by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and provides the educational requirements for the Marriage and Family therapist (MFT) license in the state of California. Successful completion will allow the candidate to apply for Associate (MFT) status with the Board to accrue the post-degree hours of supervised practice necessary for state licensure.
School Psychology, M.A.
The program is a comprehensive three-year program of coursework, field experience, and research training. The program helps develop professionals who can apply psychological principles and empirical knowledge related to support for students and designing/implementing interventions that meet the needs of students from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds.
Psychology, Academic Research Concentration, M.A.
This highly specialized two year program provides a foundation in methodology and statistics, as well as in the theoretical frameworks for the major disciplines in psychology.
Choose one of four focuses:
- Behavior Analysis
- Developmental
- Social/Cognitive
- Neuroscience
Blended Program, B.A/M.A.
Qualified students who are admitted as juniors to our Academic Research M.A. Program can graduate with a B.A. and a M.A. degree in just five years.
The Behavior Analysis emphasis is not available as part of the Blended program.
Minors
Academic Rigor
Each year, dozens of undergraduate and graduate students present their work at professional conferences, such as the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the Society for Research on Adolescence, the International Society for Political Psychology, and the Western Psychological Association conferences.
Exemplary Facilities
Special facilities and opportunities include: research labs for neuroscience, social, developmental, cognitive, clinical, and community psychology, a psychological test library, and interviewing and counseling rooms with video equipment and one-way mirrors.
Students also have opportunities for observation and research at the Child Development Lab, a demonstration preschool, supervised volunteer experience in the community, and exchange programs with other universities.
Experiential Learning
Our undergraduate Community Psychology course includes a service placement at a local community organization.
M.A. students work directly with clients of diverse backgrounds either on campus or in the local community, building critical clinical and personal skills necessary to become a psychotherapist.
Place-Based Learning Communities: Creando Raíces and Healthy Humboldt
As a Psychology freshman, you’ll participate in hands-on activities with your peers before classes even start and in some cases, have the opportunity to live in the same residence halls with your peers. Psychology students will join three other departments for either Creando Raíces which focuses on community organizing and ethnic studies, or Healthy Humboldt, which focuses on how to support a healthy and thriving community. d
Department Events
Career Options
A broad field comprising more than 50 different specialties, Psychology can be applied to nearly any career. When you graduate from our B.A. or M.A. programs, you will be prepared for the workforce with the knowledge and highly marketable skills that are essential in today’s world.
Careers - Psychology B.A.
Academic Counselor
Behavioral Medicine Practitioner
Behavioral Technician
Conflict Resolution Mediator
Corrections Officer
Data Analyst
Day Care Center Director
Early Childhood Specialist
Careers - Counselling Psychology M.A.
Group Therapy Facilitator
Couples Therapist
Family Therapist
Child Therapist
Community Clinic Therapist
Private Practice Therapist
Substance Use Counselor
College Instructor
Conflict Resolution Mediator
Trauma Specialist
Careers - Psychology, Academic Research Concentration, M.A.
Research Analyst
Behavior Analyst
College Instructor
Data Analyst
Evaluation Specialist
Market Research Analyst
Program Evaluator
Careers - School Psychology, M.A.
School Psychologist
College Instructor
School Administrator
Program Evaluator
Featured Alumni
Kauyumari Sanchez
Psychology
Kauyumari Sanchez, PhD published the article Cross-modal matching of monosyllabic and bisyllabic items varying in phonotactic probability and lexicality in Frontiers in Language Sciences, 4, 1488399. https://doi.org/10.3389/flang.2025.1488399
Ethan Gahtan, John Steele, Emma F. Jones, McKay Gog Butler, Darina Trendafilova, Mayra S Mendez, Luke A. Jernigan
Psychology
Professors Ethan Gahtan (Psychology) and John Steele (Biology) along with students from psychology, biology, and chemistry developed a new transgenic zebrafish line in the Behavioral Neuroscience Research Lab. This development was first described in 2022 in the Journal of Comparative Neurology. They developed a zebrafish fluorescent reporter line to track neuronal chloride (Cl-), KCC2, expression in vivo during early brain development. "KCC2 regulates neuron excitability and development". Then in 2024 the team contributed this genetics resource to the Zebrafish International Resource Center (ZIRC) to make it available to external researchers. Article reference: DOI: 10.1002/cne.25411 ; ZIRC entry: https://zfin.org/ZDB-PUB-221018-26#summary
Matias Solorzano
Psychology
Matias Solorzano, a graduate student in Academic Research in the Psychology Department was awarded the McCrone Graduate Fellowship Award in recognition of his research in neurodivergence in academia. The award not only recognizes Matias' dedication to research but will provide support for his research. Matias will be speaking on his research on Tuesday, November 12th during the McCrone Award Reception at the Plaza Grill from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.