Undergraduate Bulletin > Psychology > Major

Psychology Major (PSYC)

The Psychology Major provides a background for entry into a variety of professions other than psychology where understanding the principles of behavior and cognition is important. It also provides the necessary background for individuals planning to do graduate work in either basic or applied psychology.

The curriculum provides students with a structured, sequenced exposure to six core areas in psychology. These are: behavior analysis; biopsychology; clinical psychology; cognitive psychology; development psychology; and, social psychology. Majors must sample from at least four domains at the intermediate (200) level, but can choose a narrower or broader sampling of upper level courses. The curriculum also affords hands-on experience with scientific psychology via laboratory courses and field experiences.

Program Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

Core Category	S.H.
Students may select courses for:
Literature (GLT)	3
Fine Arts (GFA)	3
Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)	3
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)	3
Natural Sciences (GNS) one must be a laboratory course; each must have a different departmental prefix	6–7
Reasoning and Discourse (GRD) ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course	6
Department specifies courses for:
One additional GLT course (student may select)	3
Mathematics (GMT) required: STA 108 or MAT 115 or MAT 150 (students who receive advanced placement credit in mathematics will be approved on a case-by-case basis)	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB) required: PSY 121 and one additional GSB	6

 

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/concentration.

 

III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)

See requirements and approved courses.

Category	S.H.
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture one GPM (Premodern) or GMO (Modern) course, depending on category used to satisfy GHP requirement	3
Natural Sciences any GLS or GPS course	3–4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB) any additional GSB course with a different departmental prefix	3
Foreign Language (GFL) intermediate-level proficiency in one language, demonstrated by placement test, or completion of course work through course number 204	0–12
Writing Intensive Courses (WI) a total of four WI courses

 

IV Major Requirements

Minimum 36 semester hours in psychology to include the following courses. Students must earn a grade of at least C- in all psychology courses required for the major.

• PSY 121*, 122, 310, and 311
• at least four (4) of the seven intermediate level core courses (230*, 240, 250*, 260*, 265, 275, 280)
• a minimum of four (4) additional PSY courses at the 300 level or above, including at least two courses at the 400 level or above.
• PSY 314 and 433 may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major.

*PSY 121, 250, and 260 each satisfy 3 s.h. of GSB. PSY 230 satisfies 3 s.h. of GNS. Students may not complete GSB requirements solely with courses in Psychology.

V Related Area Requirements

No specific courses required.

VI Electives

Electives sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for degree.