Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Psychology Majors (class of 2024 and forward)
Students majoring in Psychology are required to complete a total of twelve 3-credit courses, two 4-credit courses, and one 1-credit course, adhering to the below specifications. Where there is choice, students should consult with their major advisor to discuss which courses might best support their progress towards their career goals. For example, students interested in graduate school in the practice of clinical or counseling psychology will likely take Psychopathology, Social Psychology, and Intro to Counseling. Students interested in a research career and/or a Ph.D. should consider taking additional research courses.
Foundation (minimum of 1)
PY 101 - Introductory Psychology is required of every major. Other 100-level courses can count as electives.
- PY 101 - Introductory Psychology
- PY 102 - First-Year Seminar in Psychology
Breadth and Depth (minimum of 6)
Students are required to complete six Breadth and Depth courses. These courses move students towards competency in the knowledge of psychology theory and content (Learning Aim 1: Knowledge). Selected courses must include (a) at least one course from each of the Breadth and Depth groups, and (b) at least one Breadth course (200-level) and at least one Depth course (300-level).
Learning, Cognition, and Behavioral Neuroscience Courses
- PY 205 - Educational Psychology
- PY 221 - Psychology of Learning
- PY 222 - Cognitive Psychology
- PY 223 - Biopsychology (PY 331)
- PY 224 - Sensation and Perception (PY 333)
- PY 225 - Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Behavior (PY 334)
- PY 332 - Human Neuropsychology
- PY 422 - Special Topics in Learning, Cognition, and Behavioral Neuroscience
Developmental Psychology Courses
- PY 244 - Life Span Development
- PY 341 - Child Development (PY 241)
- PY 342 - Adolescent Development (PY 242)
- PY 343 - Adult Development (PY 243)
- PY 445 - Aging and Society (PY 245)
- PY 423 - Special Topics in Developmental Psychology
Social and Personality Psychology Courses
- PY 201 - Social Psychology
- PY 203 - Psychology of Personality
- PY 262 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- PY 265 - Forensic Psychology (PY 421)
- PY 351 - Interpersonal Behavior
- PY 352 - Group Process
- PY 424 - Special Topics in Social and Personality Psychology
Clinical, Counseling, and Health Psychology Courses
- PY 202 - Psychopathology
- PY 250 - Introduction to Counseling (PY 323)
- PY 261 - Introduction to Health Psychology
- PY 325 - Managing Stress and Tension
- PY 326 - Substance Abuse: Diagnosis and Treatment
- PY 430 - Child Psychopathology (PY 420)
- PY 425 - Special Topics in Clinical, Counseling, and Health Psychology
Information and Quantitative Literacy (minimum of 2)
Students are required to complete two Information and Quantitative Literacy courses. The courses with this designation emphasize information and quantitative literacy, and help students develop skills in consuming and producing research. These courses help students understand and apply research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and reporting of findings (Learning Aim 2: Research). Information and Quantitative Literacy courses cannot be used to fulfill the Breadth and Depth courses requirement.
- PY 291 & 292 - Research Methods I and II (with Labs)*
- PY 310 - Psychological Tests and Measurements (PY 413)
- PY 401 & 402 - Independent Study I and II (PY 300/400)
- PY 405 & 406 - Research Practicum in Psychology I and II
- PY 414 - Advanced Statistics with Computer Applications
- PY 418 & 419 - Research Seminar in Psychology I and II
- PY 426 - Special Topics in Information and Quantitative Literacy
Diversity, Ethics, and Justice (minimum of 1)
Students are required to complete one Diversity, Ethics, and Justice course. This requirement includes courses that provide a special emphasis on human diversity, ethics, and justice, and encourage students to engage deeply with themes that are cross-cutting in psychology. Through these courses, students make progress towards Learning Aim 5: Diversity, Ethics, and Justice in Psychology. Courses in this group cannot be used to fill the Breadth and Depth course requirement.
- PY 253 - Multicultural Issues in Psychology
- PY 270 - Gender, Culture, and Madness
- PY 354 - Psychology of Religion (PY 255)
- PY 355 - Psychology of Gender (PY 256)
- PY 365 - Black Psychology (PY 257)
- PY 404 - Ethics in Psychology
- PY 410 - Contemporary Issues in Psychology (PY 353)
- PY 415 - Psychological Systems and Theories
- PY 427 - Special Topics in Diversity, Ethics, and Justice in Psychology
Professional Readiness (minimum of 1)
Students are required to complete one Professional Readiness course. Courses in this category encourage professional development and support students' abilities to communicate effectively in psychology (Learning Aim 3: Communication). These courses expose students to the myriad professions and day-to-day pursuits of individuals who study psychology. PY 200 - Professional Development, a 1-credit course, fulfills this requirement.
- PY 200 - Professional Development (1 credit)*
- PY 435 & 436 - Field Experience in Psychology I and II
Mastery (minimum of 2)
Students are required to complete two Mastery courses. 400-level courses are capstone courses designed to encourage high-impact teaching practices that occur towards the end of a student's progression through degree requirements. These courses may solidify understanding of the science of psychology by integrating knowledge from multiple courses, may provide intensive study in one area of psychology, and/or may be defined by experiential learning through research projects or semester-long internships. These courses emphasize Learning Aim 3: Communication and Learning Aim 4: Application of Psychology, as well as at least one other learning aim specified in the course description.
Electives (minimum of 2)
Students must complete two additional courses of their choosing from any group at the 100-, 200-, 300-, or 400-level.
Additional Requirements
In addition to these courses, Psychology majors are required to complete ST 110, ST 210, ST 265, or EC 220; as well as either BL 105 or BL 152/153. A recommended (not required) core math/science course is CS 105.
Interdisciplinary Major in Psychology
Students may choose psychology as one component of an interdisciplinary major.
Eight 3- and 4-credit psychology courses and one 1-credit course are required to fulfill
the psychology portion of the interdisciplinary major, specifically:
- PY 101 - Introductory Psychology*
- PY 200 - Professional Development (1 credit)*
- PY 291 & 292 - Research Methods I and II (with Labs)*
- Four other PY 100-, 200-, or 300-level courses, chosen with the guidance of academic advisor
- One PY 400-level course (Mastery)
Notes: Interdisciplinary majors also take a statistics course (ST 110, ST 210, ST 265, or EC 220) as a math core requirement, and a biology course (BL 105 or BL 152/153) as one of their core natural science requirements (except biology/psychology majors - detailed in the catalogue). The remainder of the major courses are selected according to the requirements of that discipline, and certain interdisciplinary combinations stipulate courses that must be taken.
Biology/Psychology
The popular combination of biology/psychology is often chosen by those students who would like to eventually pursue medical school, graduate school in health psychology, or a career in research. See more detailed requirements in the catalogue.
Psychology/Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness
This interdisciplinary major provides students with an opportunity to explore the underpinnings of human behavior in organizations. The curriculum provides excellent preparation for careers in human resource management, organizational development, and human capital consulting. It is also an excellent foundation for graduate studies in Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Organizational Behavior. Students should declare this major by their sophomore year. See more detailed requirements in the catalogue.
*Courses marked with an asterisk are required for all Psychology majors.