Bachelor of Arts
Students who major in Psychology should know and understand the major concepts, theories, and research in Psychology from a variety of perspectives (e.g. psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, biological, and social). Students should also have the knowledge of several areas of specialization in psychology (e.g. developmental, abnormal, exceptional, clinical, neuroscience, cognition, learning, social, personality, sport, and industrial/organizational). Majors should know and understand the factors affecting behavior and development as well as the processes of scientific inquiry. They should be familiar with a variety of research methodologies, and statistical analyses, and be aware of the ethical principles that guide the professional behavior of psychologists.
Students who major in Psychology should be able to: 1) think critically; 2) be proficient in written and oral language skills; 3) gather and synthesize information; 4) design research and use statistics for data analysis; 5) understand factors related to interpersonal skills; 6) apply research, theories, and principles of psychology to contemporary problems, behaviors, and issues; and 7) attend graduate school or use their knowledge and ability to work in a variety of jobs and careers (e.g. human services, business, education, government, etc.)
Psychology majors will have opportunities to experience: 1) internships involving teaching, research and applied practice; 2) service-learning projects; 3) presentations at local, and regional conferences; 4) designing and analyzing research; 5) writing papers in APA style; 6) making presentations in classes; 7) writing and analyzing case studies; 8) participation in leadership and learning opportunities through the Psychology Club; and 9) taking a variety of exams, writing essays, and doing class projects and activities.A total of 36 semester hours are required to complete the psychology major. The 36 semester hours are to be completed by taking 31-32 semester hours of required courses below and 4-5 semester hours from the selected courses below.
Required Courses: 31 or 32 semester hours
| PSY1100 | General Psychology (4) |
| PSY3380 | Brain and Behavior (4) |
| PSY/SOC3500 | Research and Statistical Methods (4) |
| PSY3520 | Experimental Psychology (4) |
| PSY4700 | Contemporary Issues in Psychology (4) |
Two courses from Group A:
| PSY/SOC3450 | Social and Applied Psychology (4) |
| PSY2340 | Personality (3) |
| PSY3660 | Abnormal Psychology (4) |
| PSY3350 | Child and Adolescent Development (4) |
| OR | |
| PSY3360 | Adult Development and Aging (4) |
One course from Group B:
| PSY2300 | Learning and Motivation (4) |
| PSY3400 | Cognitive Psychology (4) |
| PSY4200 | Sensation and Perception (4) |
Selected Courses: 4 to 5 semester hours (to total 36 semester hours) listed below:
| PSY2210 | Careers in Psychology (1) |
| PSY/SOC3430 | Gender, Sexuality and Society (4) |
| PSY3460 | Exceptional Individual (3) |
| PSY3470 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology (3) |
| PSY3810, 4810 | Selected Topics (3 or 4) |
| PSY3940, 4940 | Internship in Psychology (1-3) |
| PSY4520 | Psychological Assessment (3) |
| PSY4550 | Introduction to Clinical and Counseling Psychology (4) |
| OR | |
| Another 4-hour course from Group A or B excluding PSY3250 Lifespan Development. | |
Academic information on departmental Web sites reflects the university's most current curriculum. The print version of the catalog, which is also posted online, may differ from this information.
