This program provides students with breadth and depth of undergraduate education in psychology, within the context of a balanced liberal arts curriculum. The major is structured to encourage examination of basic issues in psychology from a number of theoretical and empirical perspectives and to foster an appreciation of the intellectual history of the discipline. The program emphasizes psychology’s unique positioning between the natural sciences and philosophy, seeking to develop in students the ability to critically evaluate empirical research in the field and the epistemology that gives rise to it. Completion of the major provides a firm foundation for advanced training in psychology or allied disciplines and for entrance into professions for which a background in psychology is appropriate.
Requirements
Note: This represents a general overview of the major and minor. For more information, please consult the current college catalog, or contact the department.
Psychology Major
A major in psychology requires the completion of a minimum of 30 hours, and must include the following courses:
- PSY 101 Psychology in the Modern Era
- PSY 201 Psychology in the Western Tradition
- PSY 209 Statistics for the Social Sciences
- PSY 210 Research Methods
Three courses chosen from the following:
- PSY 340 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- PSY 341 Social Psychology
- PSY 342 Principles of Learning and Behavior
- PSY 343 Abnormal Psychology
- PSY 344 Biological Psychology
- PSY 345 Cognitive Psychology
Two courses chosen from the following:
- PSY 361 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
- PSY 365 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- PSY 371 The Writings of William James
- PSY 372 Phenomenology of the Collective Unconscious
- PSY 373 Toward a Post-critical Psychology
- PSY 393 Topics in Psychology
- PSY 472 Psychological Tests and Measurement
All majors are required to complete a comprehensive examination their senior year. Majors seeking departmental honors must pass this comprehensive exam with distinction, hold an overall GPA of at least 3.00, have a departmental GPA of 3.50 or higher, and complete one of the following 400-level courses with an A.
- PSY 483 Psychology Practicum
- PSY 484 Psychology Research Project
- PSY 485 Psychology Thesis
All other majors must complete one additional psychology course at the 300-level or higher (not PSY 483, 484, or 485).
Psychology Minor
A minor in psychology requires the completion of a minimum of 18 hours, and must include the following courses:
- PSY 101 Psychology in the Modern Era
- PSY 201 Psychology in the Western Tradition
Two courses chosen from the following:
- PSY 340 Lifespan Developmental Psychology
- PSY 341 Social Psychology
- PSY 342 Principles of Learning and Behavior
- PSY 343 Abnormal Psychology
- PSY 344 Biological Psychology
- PSY 345 Cognitive Psychology
Two courses chosen from the following:
- PSY 361 Introduction to Clinical Psychology
- PSY 365 Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- PSY 371 The Writings of William James
- PSY 372 Phenomenology of the Collective Unconscious
- PSY 373 Toward a Post-critical Psychology
- PSY 393 Topics in Psychology
- PSY 472 Psychological Tests and Measurement