Applied Psychology

We are excited to offer a Minor in Applied Psychology at UCSB. We hope that you will consider the numerous academic and career opportunities available related to this exciting field.

• Applied Psychology Minor Worksheet 2022-2023
• Applied Psychology Minor Worksheet 2023-2024
• Applied Psychology Minor Worksheet 2024-2025

What is Applied Psychology?

Applied Psychology is the use of psychological methods and scientific knowledge to identify, understand, prevent, address, and resolve human challenges and problems, including mental health/psychiatric disorders, group disparities and inequities, developmental concerns and disabilities, and traumatic experiences. In addition to focusing on vulnerable populations, the field also focuses on positive aspects of the human experience, including personal strengths, resilience, and the ingredients needed to thrive as a human being.

Requirements:

2024-2025 Requirements (20 Units Required)

Core Courses (Two courses required):

• CNCSP 101 Introduction to Helping Skills: Theory, Research and Practice (4 Units)
• CNCSP 102 Research in Applied Psychology (4 Units)

Elective Courses (Fill remaining units with elective courses):

• CNCSP 104 Innovations in Health Equity Research: Participatory Action with Communities (4 units)
• CNCSP 110 Intro to Educational & Vocational Guidance (4 units)
• CNCSP 111 Identity and Pluralism (4 units)
• CNCSP 112 Positive Psychology (4 units)
• CNCSP 114 Psych of Gender (4 units)
• CNCSP W 116 Bisexuality: From Margin to Center (4 units)
• CNCSP 117 School-Based Mental Health (4 units)
• CNCSP 118 The Psychology of Flourishing (4 units)
• CNCSP 122 Disaster Mental Health
• CNCSP 132 Spanish in the Helping Professions: Research and Practice (taught in Spanish)
• CNCSP 197*, 199** or 199RA**
• ED 111 Intro to Child and Adolescent Development (4 units)***
• ED 125 Schooling in the U.S. [Particularly appropriate for those interested in school counseling/psychology]***
• ED 190 Intro to Autism (Pre-req: Psych 1, minimum 3.0 GPA) (4 units)***
• ED 199**** or 199RA****

*Students may apply a maximum of 8 units of CNCSP 197 toward the elective requirement, however, the two 4-unit CNCSP 197 courses must be on different topics taught by different instructors and not merely a repetition of the same 197 course by the same instructor.

**Students may apply only 4 units of 199 or 199RA toward the elective requirement. 199/199RA units must be taken for a Letter Grade to be considered.

***Both seniors and juniors enrolled in the Applied Psych minor must wait until Pass 2 to enroll in ED courses. ED W 125 is the online version of ED 125.

****Students must complete the ED 199/199RA-specific form to verify the independent study/research is relevant to the minor. There is a maximum of 4 units that can be applied to the student's minor and they must be taken for a Letter Grade to be considered.

If you have concerns about completing your elective units, please email education-sao@ucsb.edu(link sends e-mail)

Students are encouraged to enroll in classes early and/or to consider completing some courses in Summer Session as space is limited. There is a high possibility that you will not be able to complete the courses due to popularity and space availability.

Applied Psychology Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. When can I apply to the minor?

Applications are accepted the first week of fall, winter, and spring quarters.  Applications received after the posted deadline will be held until the next review.  The application review will begin after week 1 and depending on the number of applications received, may take up to week 6 to complete.  We no longer allow students to double minor in Applied Psychology and Education Studies.

2. It is my pass time but I cannot register for any CNCSP classes for my minor? 

Seniors in the Applied Psych minor have priority registration in pass 1.  Juniors in the Applied Psych minor can register in pass 2.  Students not in the minor have to wait until pass 3 to register for minor courses.

3. I want to register for a CNCSP class and it says I need an approval code.  

For most classes you do not need an approval code to register.  We restrict access so that seniors in the AP minor can register during pass 1, juniors in the AP minor can register during pass 2 and non-minor students have to wait until pass 3.  Some classes do require approval for enrollment.  For example:  CNCSP 132 Spanish in the Helping Professions requires instructor approval because degree of fluency needs to be assessed.  CNCSP 197 requires instructor approval and an add code, as this course includes a fieldwork commitment. 

4. Can I switch from Applied Psych to one of the other minors?

Students may not switch between minors.  A student admitted to the AP minor and wants to switch to the Education minor would have to formally apply to the Ed minor (submit the Ed minor application and go through the review process).  If they are admitted to Ed they would have to drop the AP minor.  The same process would be followed if the student was originally admitted to Ed and wanted to switch to AP.

5. I'm a senior, can I still apply to the minor?

At the time of application submission, students must have at least 3 remaining quarters at UCSB for the application to be considered.