Psychology (BA)

Program Requirements

Every Psychology major must complete 36 semester hours in psychology and four hours in statistics.

The following five core courses are required:

PSYC 101Introduction to Psychological Science

4

 

STAT 118Introductory Statistics

4

OR

STAT 227Intermediate Statistics: Design & Analysis

4

OR

STAT 229Regression Models

4

 

PSYC 201Biological Psychology

4

PSYC 203Research Methods in Psychology

4

PSYC 345History & Systems of Psychology

4

In addition, to ensure sufficient breadth across substantive areas as well as depth in at least one area, every Psychology major must complete at least one course in each of the five following areas (Basic Processes, Social and Developmental, Clinical and Personality, Capstone: Upper-Level Theory and Application, and Capstone: Upper-Level Research):

 

Basic Processes

PSYC 243Cognitive Psychology

4

PSYC 244Drugs and Behavior

4

PSYC 245Learning and Conditioning

4

PSYC 246Motivation and Emotion

4

Social and Developmental

PSYC 235Developmental Psychology

4

PSYC 236Psychology of Adolescence

4

PSYC 239Psychology of Aging

4

PSYC 248Social Psychology

4

PSYC 220The Psychology of Gender

4

Clinical and Personality

PSYC 230Theories of Personality

4

PSYC 231Psychopathology and Mental Health

4

PSYC 232Health Psychology

4

Capstone

Students fulfill the capstone requirement in the Department by completing two Courses: one Upper Level Theory and Application Course and one Upper Level Research Course (listed below).

Upper Level Theory and Application

PSYC 331Seminar in Clinical Psychology

4

PSYC 335Social & Emotional Development

4

PSYC 336Childhood Psychopathology

4

Upper Level Research

PSYC 301Research in Biopsychology

4

PSYC 303Research in Cognitive Processes

4

PSYC 304Research in Personality

4

PSYC 305Research in Child Development

4

PSYC 308Research in Social Psychology

4

Prerequisites:

PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychological Science is a prerequisite for all courses offered by the department except PSYC 220 (for which the prerequisite is PSYC 101 or WGST 100). Upper-level courses have additional prerequisites as detailed in the course descriptions. Students may use an AP psychology test score of 4 or 5 to replace the PSYC 101 course requirement, but they are still encouraged to take the course for the comprehensive background it provides.

Recommendations:

Students considering a major in psychology are advised to take PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychological Science and MATH 118 Introductory Statistics during their first year so that they can take PSYC 203 Research Methods in Psychology and PSYC 201 Biopsychology in their second year, as intended. Advisors and the Department Chair can help students plan individualized course sequences based on their interests and career goals. The following examples illustrate a variety of possibilities.

1. A student with career interests in the clinical and personality area should consider

PSYC 230Theories of Personality

4

PSYC 231Psychopathology and Mental Health

4

PSYC 232Health Psychology

4

PSYC 304Research in Personality

4

PSYC 331Seminar in Clinical Psychology

4

PSYC 336Childhood Psychopathology

4

2. A student planning a career working with children, such as early childhood education, counseling, child guidance, or school psychology, should consider

PSYC 235Developmental Psychology

4

PSYC 236Psychology of Adolescence

4

PSYC 335Social & Emotional Development

4

PSYC 336Childhood Psychopathology

4

PSYC 305Research in Child Development

4

3. A student planning a career in medical or neuroscience research should consider

PSYC 232Health Psychology

4

PSYC 243Cognitive Psychology

4

PSYC 244Drugs and Behavior

4

PSYC 245Learning and Conditioning

4

PSYC 301Research in Biopsychology

4

Relevant courses in biology, chemistry, and computer science are also recommended.

4. A student interested in a career in behavioral research, human factors, or computer-based instruction should consider

PSYC 243Cognitive Psychology

4

PSYC 245Learning and Conditioning

4

PSYC 248Social Psychology

4

PSYC 303Research in Cognitive Processes

4

Relevant areas of mathematics and/or computer science are also recommended.

5. A student planning a career in social service or human resources should consider

PSYC 230Theories of Personality

4

PSYC 231Psychopathology and Mental Health

4

PSYC 232Health Psychology

4

PSYC 248Social Psychology

4

PSYC 308Research in Social Psychology

4

Independent Learning in Psychology

Independent learning experiences enrich a student’s education in Psychology and can distinguish a student’s qualifications when applying for employment and admission to graduate school. Although not required for the Psychology degree, majors are strongly encouraged to speak with their advisors about integrating one or more of the following courses into their plan of study:

PSYC 350Independent Study

4

PSYC 355Thesis

4

PSYC 380Fieldwork in a Psychological Setting

Variable

PSYC 381Thesis in Psychology

4

PSYC 380: Note: Must apply in spring before senior year.  Students typically earn 8 credits of PSYC 380 across two consecutive semesters.