School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Psychology

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
The Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology provides broad coverage of modern scientific psychology, including the methods by which knowledge is acquired in this field. As a science, psychology seeks to understand the basic principles by which living organisms adapt their behavior to the changing physical and social environments in which they live. The breadth of the discipline, with its links to the humanities, mathematics, computer sciences, and other social and natural sciences, encourages the development of broad problem-solving skills through exposure to research methodology and statistical analysis and contributes to personal growth and the development of communication skills. The psychology major requirements reflect the belief of the faculty that all psychology majors should be exposed to a core of courses and be allowed to select other courses in the field that are of particular interest. The major is designed so that, in consultation with his or her advisor, each student will be prepared to enter the workforce prepared for positions in human services, social services, or business areas such as personnel or management. The major requirements are also suitable for the psychology major who is considering furthering his or her education at the graduate level in social work, marriage and family counseling, vocational counseling, or the more traditional applied and experimental psychology programs. The program is also appropriate for those who would like to pursue careers that emphasize scientific training and quantitative skills.
  1. See the “Degree Requirements for a BA in Humanities and Social Sciences” section under the “School of Humanities and Social Sciences” for General Education and other basic requirements.
  2. Psychology Major Requirements for BA: Students must complete a minimum of 39 credit hours in psychology with a grade of C- or higher in each course.

Psychology Core Requirements: The following courses are required of all psychology majors:
  • PSY-P 103 General Psychology (3 cr.) - this also serves as a general education course for psychology majors
  • PSY-P 2?? Introduction to Psychological Inquiry (3 cr.) (course in development)
  • PSY-P 216 Life Span Developmental Psychology (3 cr.) 
  • PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 355 Experimental Psychology (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 459 History & Systems of Psychology (3 cr.)*

Category I: Choose 2 of these 4 courses:
  • PSY-P 303 Health Psychology (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 319 Psychology of Personality (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 320 Social Psychology (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 324 Abnormal Psychology (3 cr.)

Category II: Choose 2 of these 3 courses:
  • PSY-P 325 Psychology of Learning (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 326 Neuroscience (3 cr.)
  • PSY-P 335 Cognitive Psychology (3 cr.)

Supervised Skills Sequence: Choose 1 of these combinations:
  • PSY-P 493 (3 cr.) + PSY-P 494 (3 cr.) Supervised Research I & II
  • PSY-P 381 Helping Skills and Ethics (3 cr.) + PSY-P 495 Practicum (3 cr.)

Psychology Elective. One additional 3 credit hour psychology course at the 200-, 300- or 400-level is required.

*Psychology majors are not required to take ENG W 350. The intensive writing requirement is fulfilled in PSY-P 459 History & Systems of Psychology.

Academic Bulletins

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