The study of psychology ranges from the biological and physiological aspects of behavior to abnormal, clinical, and social psychology. The psychology major is designed for those students who are interested in either a liberal arts or a preprofessional education and who wish to pursue the study of individual behavior. Outstanding performance in undergraduate coursework by psychology majors and minors is recognized by induction into the local chapter of Psi Chi, the National Honor Society in Psychology

Career Opportunities

After graduation, about half of our students enter graduate school in psychology or related fields, such as education, social work, law, and medicine. Others pursue careers which use their psychology backgrounds with governmental agencies, comprehensive care centers, and hospitals. The interpersonal skills acquired in learning about oneself and others are useful in almost any career.

University Studies Requirements

Consult the section on "University Studies" in the University Bulletin.

College of Arts & Sciences Requirements

Bachelor of Arts

• University Requirements listed above.
• At least 120 credit hours in courses acceptable to the College of Arts & Sciences
• At least 90 hours in Arts & Sciences courses
• At least 39 credit hours in courses numbered 300 or higher
• At least 6 credit hours of premajor courses in psychology.
• At least 42 credit hours in the Major Requirements Plan, of which at least 24 credit hours must be numbered 300 or higher
• An overall grade-point average of 2.0
• An overall grade-point average of at least a 2.0 in premajor courses and courses in the Major Requirements Plan.
• Six credit hours of free electives.

Bachelor of Science

The requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree differs slightly from those for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Interested students should consult the University Bulletin for the specific requirements for the BS degree.

For a more detailed explanation concerning Arts & Sciences requirements, students should go to Room 257 Patterson Office Tower or visit the A&S Advising Center Web site.

Major Requirements

In addition to satisfying the University Studies requirements and the College requirements, each student must complete the following curriculum in Psychology (effective Fall 2003; see the University Bulletin for course descriptions and prerequisites):

Premajor Requirements:

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology [4 hours]
PSY 195 Orientation to Psychology [1 hour]
PSY 215 Experimental Psychology [4 hours]

Major Requirements:

Students must complete a minimum of 23 hours in psychology to include the following:

Requirement One


PSY 216 Applications of Statistics in Psychology [4 hours]

Requirement Two—Each of the following core courses:


PSY 311 Learning and Cognition [3 hours]
PSY 312 Brain and Behavior [3 hours]
PSY 313 Personality and Individual Differences [3 hours]
PSY 314 Social Psychology and Cultural Processes [3 hours]

Requirement Three—One of the following advanced lecture/labs:


PSY 427 Cognitive Processes [4 hours]
PSY 430 Research in Personality [4 hours]
PSY 440 Research in Social Psychology [4 hours]
PSY 450 Learning [4 hours]
PSY 456 Behavioral Neuroscience [4 hours]
PSY 460 Processes of Psychological Development [4 hours]
PSY 552 Animal Behavior [4 hours]

Requirement Four—One of the following capstone options:


PSY 495 & PSY 496 Senior Thesis Research [8 hours]
PSY 499 Senior Internship [3 hours]
PSY 500 History and Systems of Psychology [3 hours]
PSY 561 Adv Topics in Foundations of Clinical Psychology [3 hrs]
PSY 562 Advanced Topics in Cognitive Psychology [3 hours]
PSY 563 Advanced Topics in Developmental Psychology [3 hours]
PSY 564 Advanced Topics in Learning [3 hours]
PSY 565 Advanced Topics in Neuroscience [3 hours]
PSY 566 Advanced Topics in Social Psychology [3 hours]

Psychology elective courses:***


PSY 223 Developmental Psychology [3 hours]
PSY 302 Psychology in Business and Industry [3 hours]
PSY 305 Psychology of Sex Roles [3 hours]
PSY 331 Psychology of Adjustment [3 hours]
PSY 395 Independent Work in Psychology [1-3 hours]
PSY 399 Field/Community Based Education [1-6 hours]
PSY 424 Human Senses and Perception [3 hours]
PSY 425 Dimensions of Aging [3 hours]
PSY 449 Interpersonal Processes [3 hours]
PSY 459 Drugs and Behavior [3 hours]
PSY 533 Abnormal Psychology [3 hours]
PSY 534 Child Psychopathology [3 hours]
PSY 535 Psychological Testing [3 hours]
PSY 558 Biology of Motivation [3 hours]


***Note: PSY/SOC 344, Social Psychology, is not listed because it is for nonmajors only. Students who have received credit for PSY 314, Social Psychology and Cultural Processes, cannot receive credit for PSY/SOC 344. Nonmajors who have received credit for PSY/SOC 344 cannot receive credit for PSY 314.

To complete the Allied Area in the Major Requirements Plan:

Students must complete a minimum of 14 hours of nonfreshman, related courses. Students should consult with their advisor about course selection.

Requirements for the Minor in Psychology (20 credit hours):

PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology [4 hours]
PSY 215 Experimental Psychology [4 hours]
PSY 311 Learning and Cognition [3 hours]
PSY 312 Brain and Behavior [3 hours]
PSY 313 Personality and Development [3 hours]
PSY 314 Social Psychology and Cultural Processes [3 hours]

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