» Recommended Classes for First-Year Psychology Majors

Here are the classes that we recommend you take during your first year as an Psychology major at Chapman. 

For your first semester, we recommend taking 12-15 credits (most classes are 3 credits; those with labs are 4). You must be enrolled in 12 credits to be considered a full-time status student. The recommended courses below will put you at 15 credits per semester (fall and spring). 

Introductory Math Requirement

As an incoming first-year student, you must take a math assessment. If you place into Math 100 (Learning and Studying Mathematics for Understanding), then you must enroll in this course in your first year (fall or spring semester). For more information, visit our Math Assessment webpage.  

General Education Classes

You can choose a General Education (GE) class from any GE category – it’s your choice. In general, the following GE areas are recommended to begin/complete during your first year:

  • GE Language Study (strongly recommended)

Note: PSY 203/MATH 203 can be used to satisfy the Quantitative Inquiry.

Note: Some GE courses may “double count” with your major or minor. Students can share up to 9 credits between major and GE requirements and can share up to 6 credits between minor and GE requirements. Visit the General Education Program site to review the GE policies and see a list of approved courses for each GE area.

You can learn more about general education on our General Education: How it Works page.

Fall Semester

Psychology Majors are part of the Block Scheduling program for first-year students in the Fall 2023 semester. You will be pre-registered by the department in one Psychology course in May/June. You can then build the rest of your schedule around this required major course.

FFC 100 - You Choose! 
Credits: 3

Note: All new first year students are required to complete a First-Year Foundations Course [FFC 100] in their first year of enrollment. It is recommended you enroll in this class in your first semester as a larger number of course sections and topics are available in the fall semester.

Certain major programs require that their students take a specific FFC course, or give you a choice from a list of FFC courses specific to the major. If you are in a major that doesn't require you to take a specific FFC course, then you will be directed to choose from a listing of all FFC course options for Fall 2021. See the First-Year Focus GE page for your major’s list of FFC options.

PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology (Block Scheduled)
Credits: 3

Note: This will fulfil the GE Social Inquiry requirement. Refer to the GE Sharing Courses for more information in regards to sharing major courses with GE's. If PSY 101 is already satisfied by AP credit, or an equivalent transfer course, you may enroll in PSY 201.

Note: Pyschology is part of the Block Scheduling program. If you are a first year student, you will be pre-registered in PSY 101 in May/June. You can then build the rest of your schedule around this required major course.

GE Class - You Choose!
Credits: 3

GE Class - You Choose!
Credits: 3

GE Class - You Choose!
Credits: 3

Spring Semester

PSY 201 - Critical Thinking
Credits: 3

GE Class - You Choose!
Credits: 3

GE Class - You Choose!
Credits: 3

Any GE class/minor exploration
Credits: 3

Any GE class/minor exploration
Credits: 3