Culture & Society
Psychology
In studying psychology at College of Alameda, you will learn from supportive faculty that recognizes the mind-body-heart connection as core to the transformation of self, community, and our planet. Students will master both Western and non-Western psychological theories, methods, and practices to enhance their relationship with self and the world by being agents of social change. We support students having a keen understanding of who they are, which carries over to their interpersonal relationships and work with others. The COA psychology department prizes self-reflection, academic rigor, and experiential practice by having students apply theories to their own lives so that the information is understandable, useful, and illuminating.
What You Will Learn
Our psychology courses address the whole person, including mind, body, and emotions, as well as how the self interfaces with one’s family, community, and culture. By taking these courses, you will learn:
- Cornerstone psychological theories and research methods (power of perception, consciousness, developmental psychology, conditioning, thinking and memory, social psychology, abnormal psychology), how they may apply to your life, and how they might apply to those you work with
- To become more aware of unconscious forces, destructive self-talk, and unhealthy behaviors in order to consciously create the life you desire
- An understanding of how the brain and your biology play a role in your emotional and psychological well-being
- Healthy communication and interpersonal relationship skills
- To understand diversity on a more insightful level, including various forms of systemic and internalized oppression, and how to become a more conscious ally
- Mindfulness and other stress-management techniques
“Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.” – Rumi
Recommended Course Sequence
Please refer to the Course Catalog.
What can I do with a degree in Psychology?
Psychology careers include jobs in therapy and counseling, schools, social work, hospitals, prisons, courtrooms, community health and rehabilitation centers, sports psychology, life coaching, motivational speaking, and business. The study of psychology at COA provides solid foundational knowledge and research preparation for those transferring to 4-year academic institutions, most professions, as well as, for one’s life.
Degrees & Certificates
Psychology – AA-T Degree
Contact Information
Sarah Peterson-Guada
Faculty
speterson@peralta.edu
Elham Chishty
Faculty
echishty@peralta.edu
Hana Husain
Faculty
hhusain@peralta.edu
A’sharee Brown
Faculty
ashareebrown@peralta.edu
Robert Brem
Political Science, Psychology Faculty
rbrem@peralta.edu
Jeannine Stamatakis
Faculty
jstamatakis@peralta.edu
Student Testimonials
“Taking psychology at College of Alameda opened up the discussion for me about where my own beliefs come from and how it impacted myself and others. More importantly, I learned how to analyze others and my own thoughts and behaviors so I can take responsibility for my actions and ensure they are representative of my better and more conscious self.”
“I have learned more and understood more through this course, and even though this has come to an end, its influence on me will endure. Such a course did not only encourage me to bear the most untouched parts of myself but also helped me open up to see and understand that I am not alone in dealing with everything. Learning in this course, in one way or another, healed a part of my mind which is now more capable to understand myself and other people. It is without a doubt that I can tell to myself that this experience will be carried with me for the rest of my life.”
“I deeply and sincerely cherish and appreciate your help so far in this class. You cannot believe how much your class has helped me. My relations have been healed, like totally and completely healed. I decided to play more humble…After your class, I realized that it is with humility and love that you enter into a relationship not with dominance and claiming “right” all the damn time (excuse my language)…Thank you for healing and helping me to improve even how I relate with other people. I wish everyone in America would take this class and commit it to heart. We would not have a need for any rehabs/therapy places anywhere anymore.”
“I truly believe that everyone that I’ve met in my life was like building blocks, making me who I am. However, some people were so much more than that- one of those people were YOU! I’m so happy that I’ve met you in my life- as a teacher-mentor-friend. Thank you so much for what you do! And thank you for inspiring me to do great things in life!”
“Attending a COA psychology course isn’t just a journey into self-realization, but a place to deepen community relationships, while taking an intimate look into the authentic recognition of self and how we relate, respond and react to our surrounding environments.”
“This week has made me think more about our Psych class than before. We watched documentaries (I made my husband finally watch 13th) and shared stories. I wanted to thank you again for opening my eyes to the history of minorities in this country. I wouldn’t have understood so clearly if it wasn’t for your class. I feel very grateful I have heard my classmates’ stories, and that I have a perspective that I can hopefully share with those that need it.”
“I don’t know if you remember me, I was your student at College of Alameda many years ago…You were my psych instructor and mentor. I wanted to say words of gratitude for teaching me psychology, supporting, and believing in me at a time when I didn’t believe in myself. I just graduated with my Master’s Degree in Science from Samuel Merritt University and finished the Family Nurse Practitioner program with Summa Cum Laude honors. I believe that without proper support, I wouldn’t be where I am right now…I’m forever grateful to you for being there for me! Thank you for being in my life at the right time and seeing potential in me!”
“I have learned more and understood more through this course, and even though this has come to an end, its influence to me will endure. Such course did not only encourage me to bare the most untouched parts of myself but also helped me open up to see and understand that I am not alone in dealing everything. Learning in this course, in one way or another, healed a part of my mind which is now more capable to understand myself and other people. It is without a doubt that I can tell to myself that this experience will be carried with me for the rest of my life.”
“Ms. P’s weekly wrap-up was deeply profound for me. I kept returning to it, re-reading it, and it’s something I will definitely be taking with me from this class. There was a feeling of the school of transpersonal psychology in that wrap-up, as well as self-actualization; the mind-body-spirit connection, manifesting our visions, acknowledging our wholeness—there are so many nuggets in there that felt like a mental-spiritual buoy, one that I could turn to for inspiration, one that I could turn to when things feel hard, because in many ways it was the manifestation of many of the psych principals we’ve been learning. I’m going to save that email; it had such a profound effect on me. Additionally, it also was a great example of what I imagine is the core of client-centered psychology: it felt so deeply caring, like she was talking to each one of us individually with such support, such genuineness, such a sense of wishing the best for us. We live in a world where there is so much cynicism, so much doubt, so much criticism, that to read such honest words of cheerleading feels like a balm. I will take that feeling with me, knowing the elements of psychology that I can identify within that email. And I will do my best to integrate that energy and bring that light and energy into the world in my own way.”