» 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

First year students must either waive or complete Math 100/L (Learning and Studying Mathematics for Understanding I, with a required lab component) in their first semester. For more information, visit our Math Placement 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)
  • GE Written Inquiry
  • GE Quantitative Inquiry

You may be able to fulfill some of your GE requirements with classes from your major and/or minor. 

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

Fall Semester

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
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.

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