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Psychology

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in psychology.

Major in Psychology

The psychology major produces graduates with a knowledge base of theory and research in the psychological sciences and the ability to use the principles of psychology to help improve human, animal, and environmental welfare. The curriculum applies psychological knowledge to nonscientific fields and the workplace and promotes multicultural and multinational awareness. This major also introduces students to the basis of collaborative and professional relationships within psychology and identifies the foundations and delivery systems of the mental health profession.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in psychology studies will be able to

• Recognize how knowledge of psychology can facilitate career advancement and help people improve their interpersonal relationships across cultural and national boundaries.
• Examine psychology in a broad context of interdisciplinary approaches that cover cultural diversity, historical and political perspectives, and current issues.
• Practice critical observation, experimentation, and empirical reasoning in psychology theory and research.
• Apply theory and research in psychology to practical situations and problems.
• Effectively communicate psychological concepts and critical thinking in oral and written form (such as research presentations and papers).
• Conduct scientific research, including accessing technical information, writing papers and presenting research, and using computers in psychology.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in psychology requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework including 33 credits for the major (indicated by ); 41 credits in general education requirements (GERs); and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Psychology

Coursework for a major in psychology includes the following:

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all of the requirements for the BS in psychology. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an academic advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.
Information on alternate courses (where allowable) to fulfill general education requirements (in communications, arts and humanities, behavioral and social sciences, biological and physical sciences, mathematics, and interdisciplinary issues) and cross-curricular requirements (in civic responsibility, historical, and international perspectives) may be found on the GER page.

First Courses
(to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and English composition courses.

LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)

ENGL 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)

MATH 107 College Algebra (3)
or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses
(to be taken within the first 30 credits)

PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3)
or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance, literature, or foreign language course to fulfill the first general education requirement in arts and humanities

BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3)
and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1)
or other course(s) to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences with related laboratory

ENGL 291 Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)

IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3)

SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology (3)
or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY, or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO, or WMST course to fulfill the first general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences

STAT 225 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology (3)
or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

Foundation Courses
(to be taken within the first 60 credits)

GVPT 170 American Government (3)
or GERO 100 Introduction to Gerontology
or other course to fulfill the second general education requirement in behavioral and social sciences (discipline must differ from first)

NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in biological and physical sciences

HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3)
or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in arts and humanities (discipline must differ from first) and the cross-curricular requirement for historical perspective

IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3)
or other course(s) to fulfill the second general education requirement in interdisciplinary issues/computing and the cross-curricular requirement in civic responsibility

ANTH 344 Cultural Anthropology and Linguistics (3)
or other course to fulfill the cross-curricular requirement in international perspective

SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3)
or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ writing or speech

PSYC 305 Experimental Methods in Psychology (3)

Additional Required Courses
(to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

ENGL 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3)
or other course to fulfill the general education requirement in communications/ upper-level intensive writing

PSYC 321 Social Psychology (3)
or other social science psychology course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 301 Biological Basis of Behavior (3)
or other natural science psychology course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 353 Adult Psychopathology (3)
or other clinical science psychology course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 354 Cross-Cultural Psychology (3)
or other social science psychology course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 310 Perception (3)
or other natural science psychology course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 432 Introduction to Counseling Psychology (3)
or other clinical science psychology course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 355 Child Psychology (3)
or other supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

PSYC 341 Introduction to Memory and Cognition (3)
or other supplemental major course (see Requirements for the Major)

Minor and/or Elective Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (43)

Recommended electives:
PSYC 415 History of Psychology
(for students who plan to go on to graduate school)

Total credits for BS in psychology (120)

Minor in Psychology

The psychology minor complements the skills the student gains in his or her major discipline by investigating the nature of mind and behavior, including the biological basis of behavior, perception, memory and cognition, the influence of environmental and social forces on the individual, personality, life-span development and adjustment, research methods, and statistical analysis.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a minor in psychology will be able to

• recognize how knowledge of psychology can facilitate career advancement and help people improve their interpersonal relationships across cultural and national boundaries.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the origins and development of the discipline of psychology and explain some of the issues of world diversity in behavioral research.
• Use critical observation, experimentation, empirical reasoning, and appropriate information technology and information resources.
• Apply psychological theory and research to practical situations and problems.
• Think critically and communicate an understanding of psychology.
• Access databases for psychological literature and identify psychological resources online.

Requirements for the Minor

A minor in psychology requires the completion of 15 credits of coursework in psychology, including at least 3 credits each in courses in psychology as a natural science, a social science, and a clinical science. At least 9 credits must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above). Specific course requirements are listed below. PSYC courses earning only 1 credit may not be applied to the minor. If a specific course required for the minor is taken instead to satisfy the requirements for the major, another course in the same discipline should be substituted to fulfill the required minimum number of credits for the minor. Any course used to replace an upper-level course should also be classified as upper level.

Psychology Minor Courses
(to be taken in the last 60 credits with required and supplemental major courses)

Required Foundation Minor Courses

PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3)

STAT 225 Introduction to Statistical Methods in Psychology (3)
or STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics

Supplemental Minor Courses

One upper-level natural science PSYC course chosen from list in major (3)

One upper-level social science PSYC course chosen from list in major (3)

One upper-level clinical science PSYC course chosen from list in major (3)

Total credits for minor in psychology (15)

For a listing of all the requirements for the bachelor's degree, students should refer to the overall bachelor's degree requirements.

Last updated: 16 October 2006