Major in Psychology
Those who major in psychology are able to develop an expertise in one of the department's areas of concentration: Mental Health Services, Developmental Process, and Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Those with bachelor's degrees in psychology work in the same fields as do psychologists with graduate degrees.
Admission Requirements: Admission is open to any student who is interested in psychology and who can maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the required and elective psychology courses.
Standards for minimum academic performance in the Psychology major: The Psychology major requires a minimum grade of C- in all courses applied to the major. Courses may be repeated. The C- minimum grade does not apply to psychology courses beyond those applied to the major (four specified, four from specified areas and four elective courses). Students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the major, consistent with University policy.
Requirements for a major in Psychology: The Psychology major requires successful completion of 12 courses in Psychology. Four of these courses are specific core requirements; four are from specified areas and the remaining four are electives. The minimum of 37 credits must include the following four core courses:
PS 101 General Psychology
PS 205 Research Methods
PS 275 Psychological Statistics
PS 307 Applied Research Methods
and at least four courses (12 credits) from the following, including one from each of four different areas:
Area 1 — Developmental
1 — Child Growth and Development (PS 210)
2 — Psychology of Adolescence (PS 215)
3 — Psychology of Aging (PS 220)
Area 2 — Social Psychology
1 — Social Psychology (PS 250)
2 — Applied Social Psychology (PS 252)
Area 3 — Personality and Abnormal Psychology
1 — Theories of Personality (PS 330)
2 — Abnormal Psychology (PS 335)
3 — Introduction to Psychometrics (PS 340)
Area 4 — Learning and Cognition
1 — Psychology of Learning(PS 325)
2 — Cognitive Psychology (PS 345)
Area 5 — Biopsychosocial Processes
1 — Sensation and Perception (PS 280)
2 — Physiological Psychology (PS 380)
3 — Introduction to Health Psychology (PS 222)
and 12 credits in psychology electives. At least three courses (nine credits) must be at a 300 and/or 400 level.
Evening Psychology: The required core courses for the Psychology major may be completed with evening or summer classes. Many core courses are offered in the evening during each academic year as well as some elective courses. Internships and independent study courses, however, are only offered in fall and spring day classes.
HONORS Program: The HONORS program is designed to increase opportunities for students of outstanding ability to engage in independent work and prepare for more challenging futures. It is especially recommended for students planning to pursue graduate education.
The HONORS project must be completed and presented to the faculty sponsor. Students are required to make an oral presentation on the project in a session open to all faculty and students in the department.
Admission to the HONORS program is by application. The admission requirements, closing date for application and instructions for completing the application process may be obtained from the department office.
Concentrations: Students may choose to simply major in psychology without a particular specialization (by completing the requirements for a major in Psychology) or may choose to major in psychology with a specialization by completing the requirements for a concentration in Mental Health Services, Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Developmental Processes. They may also specialize by completing the requirements for a Consortium Certificate in Gerontology or for an interdisciplinary concentration in Women's Studies.