Psychology B.A.

Degree Requirements

A major in Psychology is achieved by the completion of the following requirements, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:

Required Core Courses

PSY 100General Psychology

1 Course Credit

PSY 225Stats & Rsrch Meth-Behav Sci

1 Course Credit

PSY 325Stats & Rsrch Meth-Behav Sc II

1 Course Credit

PSY 420His & Systems of Psychology

1 Course Credit

Required Capstone Course

PSY 424Senior Research

1 Course Credit

Required Laboratory Courses

Two (2) laboratory courses, chosen from

PSY 207Principles of Learning w/ Lab

1 Course Credit

PSY 208Cognitive Psychology with Lab

1 Course Credit

PSY 209Social Psychology w/ Lab

1 Course Credit

PSY 210Ind/Org Psy with Lab

1 Course Credit

PSY 212Behavioral Neuroscience w/ Lab

1 Course Credit

PSY 214Ethology with Lab

1 Course Credit

Required Distribution Courses

Any three (3) additional PSY courses, no more than one to consist of either PSY 390/490 Independent Study, PSY 395/495 Internship, PSY 397/497 Team Initiated Study or PSY 398/498 Directed Study.

 

Required Science Collateral Course

Any one of the following, although BIO 100 or BIO 110 is recommended and preferred.  Students successfully competing PSY 212 (Behavioral Neuroscience with Lab) waive the Science Collateral Course Requirement.
BIO 100Introduction to Biology

1 Course Credit

BIO 110Modern Biology

1 Course Credit

CHM 131Accelerated General Chemistry

1 Course Credit

CHM 134Accelerated Environmental Chem

1 Course Credit

PHY 217/PHY 127General Physics I with Algebra

1 Course Credit

PHY 221Intro Physics I with Calculus

1 Course Credit

PSY 212Behavioral Neuroscience w/ Lab

1 Course Credit

 

Exploring the Major— Students interested in this major should take and earn a grade of B- or higher in PSY 100 as early as possible. (Completion or waiver of MAT 012 is a prerequisite.) Exposure to this introductory course will help students determine if they want to pursue a major in Psychology. In addition, PSY 100 also is a prerequisite for the other courses in Psychology (see course sequencing below). Potential majors should consult with the Program Chair if they are having trouble registering because of closed sections. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in PSY 225. Because the use of statistics and statistical reasoning is such an important part of psychology, students who are unable to earn a C in PSY 225 should consider changing majors. In addition to PSY 100 and PSY 225, prospective majors are encouraged to take as many of their General Education requirements as possible in their first two years. (Students should be aware that they will earn credit for four of the perspectives from the courses they will take as part of the Psychology Major: Practical Reasoning (both Quantitative and Non-quantitative, Social Science AND Western History Perspective).

Admission to the Major— Completion of PSY 100 with a grade of B- or higher; completion of PSY 225 with a grade of C or higher; and satisfactory completion of an admission interview. In unusual circumstances, any of these requirements may be waived by the consent of the Psychology faculty.

Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)— The following regularly scheduled PSY courses may be taken as soon as PSY 100 has been completed: PSY 225 (MAT 012 also a prerequisite), PSY 207, PSY 208, PSY 209, PSY 211, PSY 212 (or permission), and PSY 214. PSY 225 and PSY 325 must be taken sequentially, preferably in the sophomore year (PSY 225 in Fall Term and PSY 325 in Spring). PSY 325 is a prerequisite for PSY 424. Keep in mind that PSY 207, PSY 210, PSY 212, PSY 215, PSY 217, PSY 231, and PSY 321 are usually taught in alternate years.

Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major— In addition to the course requirements and the minimum grade required for PSY 100 and PSY 225, each student must satisfy the program’s standards for effective communication.

Other Considerations or Recommendations— Laboratory courses, in addition to the two required credits, are permitted and encouraged. A foreign language and MAT 115 (or waiver) are recommended. Courses outside the Psychology Program are recommended in Biology, Chemistry, Child Development, Computer Science, English, Sociology, and Philosophy. See the Schedule of Classes for courses that have been approved to meet the Active Learning Experience (ALE) for a given term.