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Department of Psychology
Plans of Study

Although there is no single semester-by-semester plan of study for either the B.A. or the B.S. degree, one possible sequence of courses for each of these degrees is given below. Variations from these examples should be made, based on the student’s academic history and career plans, through consultation with an academic advisor. For career and graduate school information related to psychology, please refer to relevant sections of the psychology department’s website here. To graduate in four years, a student generally must take an average of 15 credits per semester. Students with heavy outside commitments (e.g., work and/or family) may want to decrease their course load each semester. By taking additional courses each summer, it may still be possible to graduate in four years.

Bachelor of Arts Sample Program (120 cr. required)

Freshman Year
First Semester
SCI-I 120 Windows on Science 1
PSY-B 110 Introduction to Psychology 3
ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry I 3
World Language (Cultural Understanding) 4
MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics* 3
Total 14
Second Semester
PSY-B 203 Ethics and Diversity in Psychology 3
COMM-R 110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
World Language** 4
Life and Physical Sciences (choose from approved list)*** 3
Arts and Humanities (choose from list) 3
Total 16

Sophomore Year
Third Semester
PSY-B 303 Career Planning Psychology Majors 1
PSY-B 305 Statistics 3
Psychology Foundations course (choose from approved list) 3
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills 3
Life and Physical Sciences (choose from approved list) 4
Total 14
Fourth Semester
PSY-B 311 Research Methods in Psychology 3
PSY-B 312 Research Methods Lab 3
Psychology Foundations Course (choose from approved list) 3
CSCI-N 207 Data Analysis Using Spreadsheets 3
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Total 15

Junior Year
Fifth Semester
Psychology Foundations course (choose from approved list) 3
Psychology Foundations course (choose from approved list) 3
Psychology Content course (choose from approved list) 3
Life and Physical Sciences (choose from approved list) 3
Elective/minor course 3
Total 15
Sixth Semester
Psychology Content course (choose from approved list) 3
Social Science (choose from list) 3
Life and Physical Sciences (choose from approved list) 3
Elective/minor course 3
Elective/minor course 3
Total 15

Senior Year
Seventh Semester
Psychology Content course (choose from approved list) 3
Elective/minor courses 12
Total 15
Eighth Semester
Psychology Capstone course 3
Elective/minor courses 13
Total 16

* Students who do not test successfully into MATH-M 118 must complete one or more lower-level math classes to develop the skills necessary to perform well in MATH-M 118. Credits earned for these remedial math classes do not count as part of the required 120 credit hours to graduate.

** For students needing courses to establish first-year proficiency in a modern foreign language. Otherwise, other courses may be taken to fulfill area requirements or electives.

***Students should check with their Academic Advisor or the School of Science Peer Advising Office for the approved list.

Bachelor of Science Sample Program (120 cr. required)

Freshman Year
First Semester
SCI-I 120 Windows on Science 1
PSY-B 110 Introduction to Psychology 3
ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing and Inquiry I 3
MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus 1* 3
Life and Physical Science (choose from approved list)** 4
Total 14
Second Semester
PSY-B 203 Ethics and Diversity in Psychology 3
COMM-R 110 Fundamentals of Speech Communication 3
Arts and Humanities (choose from list) 3
MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics* 3
Life and Physical Science (choose from approved list) 3
Total 15
Sophomore Year
Third Semester
PSY-B 303 Career Planning Psychology Majors 1
PSY-B 305 Statistics 3
Psychology Foundations course (choose from approved list) 3
ENG-W 231 Professional Writing Skills 3
CSCI-N 207 Data Analysis Using Spreadsheets 3
Total                         13
Fourth Semester
PSY-B 311 Research Methods in Psychology 3
PSY-B 312 Research Methods Lab 3
Psychology Foundations course (choose from approved list) 3
Arts and Humanities/Social Sciences (choose from list) 3
Cultural Understanding (choose from list) 3
Total 15
Junior Year
Fifth Semester
Psychology Foundations course (choose from approved list) 3
Psychology Content course (choose from approved list) 3
Psychology Content course (choose from approved list) 3
Life and Physical Science (choose from approved list) 3
Elective/minor course 3
Total 15
Sixth Semester
Psychology Foundations course (choose from approved list) 3
Social Science (choose from list) 3
Life and Physical Sciences (choose from approved list) 3
Elective/experiential course 3
Elective/minor course 3
Total 15
Senior Year
Seventh Semester
Psychology Content course (choose from approved list) 3
Elective/minor courses 12
Total 15
Eighth Semester
Psychology Capstone course 3
Elective/minor courses  15
Total 18

* Students who do not test successfully into MATH-M 118/MATH-M 119 must complete one or more lower-level math courses to develop the skills necessary to perform well in MATH-M 118/MATH-M 119. Credits earned for the remedial math courses do not count as part of the required 120 credit hours to graduate.

** Students should check with their Academic Advisor or the School of Science Peer Advising Office for the approved list.