Psychology (B.S.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Forty-six credits are required for a Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree-the 38 credits required for a B.A. in psychology , plus students will take an additional eight credits chosen in consultation with their psychology advisor. Four of the eight credits should be psychology lab course (lecture + lab). The additional four credits may be a third psychology lab course with its associated lecture or an approved course in the natural sciences that is not already counted toward a core or psychology major requirement. These additional two courses (8 credits) should be chosen in association with the student’s academic advisor.

Requirements

PSY 180 - Person in Psychological Context 4 credits
PSY 256 - Research Methods I 4 credits
PSY 257 - Research Methods II 4 credits
PSY 447 - Scientific and Philosophical Theories in Psychology 4 credits
PSY 491 - Senior Seminar 2 credits
Psychology electives (12 credits)
Note: Students in the counseling concentration will distribute their elective credits as follows: PSY 281 ( 2 credits) and two courses (6 credits) taken at the seminary, with the approval of the student’s advisor and the registrars of both institutions.

One of the following:

Note that students in the counseling concentration will take TWO of these courses

PSY 246 - Psychological Disorders 4 credits
PSY 311 - Developmental Disabilities 4 credits
PSY 322 - Counseling Theory and Practice 4 credits

Two of the following with their associated labs:

PSY 345 - Beyond Symptoms: Perceptual and Cognitive Changes in Mental Disorders 4 credits
PSY 347 - Animal Behavior 4 credits
PSY 349 - Physiological Psychology 4 credits
PSY 380 - Neuroscience of Language 4 credits

Additional course:

Students will take an additional four credits chosen in consultation with their psychology advisor. This course may be a third psychology lab course with its associated lecture (as above) or an approved course in the natural sciences that is not already counted toward a core or psychology major requirement.

Notes:

PSY 345 , PSY 347 , PSY 349 , or PSY 380 can be taken without their associated labs for psychology elective credit.

Students interested in the counseling concentration should consider PSY 345 and/or PSY 349 for their lab requirement.

Students considering graduate work or specific vocational objectives should consult with department faculty, especially their advisors, in choosing their electives. The department encourages students to take courses outside the department in areas that liberalize their understanding of human experience and nonhuman behavior or improve their ability to use and apply psychological knowledge.

The department offers an extensive internship program in which students work under supervision in an off-campus setting (e.g., psychiatric hospital, crisis center, district court). The purpose of the program is to help students learn to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting. This program is an elective option which upper division majors are encouraged to take. See course description for PSY 425 , PSY 426 .

Minors for Psychology Majors

Psychology majors may choose a departmental minor in any other major in the College (e.g. computer science) or in an interdisciplinary minor (e.g. neuroscience, peace and conflict studies, prelaw, environmental studies). Requirements for departmental minors are listed under the appropriate major; other minors are listed under Interdisciplinary/Off-Campus Programs.

Concentrations

A concentration is optional; required departmental courses within the concentration can apply as major electives.

Counseling

- Junior standing is required in order to officially declare the concentration. Interested students should plan ahead with their advisor to incorporate the required courses (as noted) into their academic program.