Major in Psychology
Major Requirements
Psychology majors fulfill the requirements listed below. A course grade of C- or better in any psychology course is needed to meet the requirements listed as required courses.
All psychology majors are required to complete the courses listed among the four areas in the requirements section. This system is designed to provide students with a broad introduction to the field, a strong foundation in research methodology, the ability to understand research and apply it to theory and practice and opportunity to explore areas of the field in depth.
- Students should plan to complete General Psychology, Statistics for Psychology and three other classes from the Foundations 1 and 2 areas by the end of the sophomore year.
- PSY 377, 407 and 417 are electives which introduce students to some applied aspects of psychology as part of the department's Pre-Professional Certificate in Mental Health.
- Students interested in research who are considering eventual graduate education in psychology may apply to pursue an undergraduate Psychology Thesis or Independent Study. Both options are available for students interested in pursuing clinical research.
- All Psychology majors are required to participate in the senior year assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to provide an empirical basis for curricular improvement.
Requirements
Foundations of Psychological Sciences 1 (16 credits)
- PSY 101 - General Psychology
- PSY 205 - Statistics for Psychology
- PSY 202 - Abnormal Psychology
- PSY 220 - Lifespan Human Development
- PSY 250 - Biological Bases of Behavior
Foundations of Psychological Sciences 2 (6 Credits)
- PSY 304 - Social Psychology for Majors
- PSY 308 - Cognitive Processes
Psychological Science-Methods 3a (3 credits)
Choose one of the following with its corresponding lab section:
- PSY 390 - Research Methods in Developmental Psychology, PSY 380 - Research Methods Lab in Developmental Psychology
- PSY 391 - Research Methods in Social and Personality Psychology, PSY 381 - Research Methods Lab in Social and Personality Psychology
- PSY 392 - Research Methods in Cognitive Psychology, PSY 382 - Research Methods Lab in Cognitive Psychology
- PSY 393 - Research Methods in Physiological Psychology, PSY 383 - Research Methods Lab in Physiological Psychology
- PSY 394 - Research Methods in the Psychology of Perception, PSY 384 - Research Methods Lab in Psychology of Perception
Psychological Science-Depth 3b (3 credits)
Choose one of the following:
- PSY 452 - Health Psychology
- PSY 453 - Young Adult Health Risk Behaviors
- PSY 454 - Contemporary Development in the Self and New Media
- PSY 456 - Social Constructionism: How Psychology Develops and Understands Constructs of Mind
- PSY 457 - Ethics in Psychological Science
- PSY 458 - Affective Neuroscience
- PSY 459 - Positive Psychology (listed under old number on one of the sites)
- PSY 460 - Psychology of Individual Differences
- PSY 472 - Moral Psychology
- PSY 477 - World of the Psychopath
- PSY 478 - Emotion
Advanced Electives (6 credits)
Choose two additional Psychology courses at the 300 or 400 level.
Total Credits: 34
University Studies Departmental Requirements
Students majoring in Psychology will meet their departmentally-determined University Studies requirements as follows:
Cluster 1C - Intermediate Writing
Satisfied by:
- PSY 39X (Any of the research methods courses)
Cluster 4A - Human Questions and Contexts
Satisfied by:
- PSY 101 - General Psychology
Cluster 5A - Capstone Study
Satisfied by:
- Any depth course (Psychological Science-Depth 3b above)
Cluster 5B - Learning Through Engagement
Satisfied by:
- PSY 38X (Any of the research methods lab courses)