Psychology Major | Psychology Minor

Full Time Faculty: Kendrick Brown, Darcy Burgund, Lynda LaBounty, Brooke Lea, Rachel Lucas-Thompson, Sun No, Joan Ostrove, Jaine Strauss, Eric Wiertelak

Lab Supervisor: Jamie Atkins

The Psychology Major advances students' understanding of the scientific study of behavior and experience in humans and other animals. Through classroom activities, as well as continual and incremental immersion in hands-on research, the curriculum a) introduces students to the methods of investigation, conceptual analysis, and application most characteristic of a wide range of subdisciplines in psychology; b) develops students' mastery of the specific theories and methodologies in one or more subdisciplines; and c) cultivates an appreciation for the context of psychological science by examining its cultural, social, and/or political dimensions. In this way, the psychology major prepares students for successful graduate education in the behavioral sciences and promotes the skills and knowledge necessary for students to become critical thinkers, strong communicators, and lifelong learners.

General Distribution Requirement

All courses in psychology count toward the general distribution requirement in social science except those that are largely biological (PSYC 180, PSYC 244, PSYC 246, PSYC 248) or topical (PSYC 194, PSYC 294, PSYC 394, PSYC 494, PSYC 488) or are independent projects, internships or preceptorships. PSYC 180, PSYC 244, PSYC 246, PSYC 248 count toward the mathematics and natural science requirement.

General Education Requirements

Courses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar’s web page in advance of registration for each semester.

Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog.

Honors Program

The psychology major participates in the honors program. Eligibility requirements, application procedures and specific project expectations are available from either the department office or the Director of Academic Programs.

Further Preparation

Students concentrating in psychology, particularly those considering graduate work in psychology or related fields, may wish to take courses in the social sciences, biology, mathematics, cognitive and neuroscience studies, and philosophy. Members of the department can help students decide which courses best meet their academic and vocational interests.

Topics Courses

PSYC 194, PSYC 294, PSYC 394, PSYC 494

Topics courses change annually with course descriptions available at the time of registration. The course description will give the prerequisites and whether the course will count toward the Group A, Group B, or Underrepresented Populations, Paradigms, and Perspectives (UP³) major requirements. (4 credits)

Independent Study

The department offers independent study options in the form of tutorials, independent projects, internships, and preceptorships. For more information contact the department and review the Curriculum section of the catalog.

Psychology Major

Major Requirements

The major in psychology consists of eleven courses. The distribution of courses presented for a major should conform to the following pattern:

• PSYC 100 - Introduction to Psychology 
  Note: Students can earn credit for PSYC 100 by scoring a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in Psychology of by scoring a 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate higher level Psychology exam.
• PSYC 201 - Research in Psychology I and PSYC 202 - Research in Psychology II
  Note: Students may substitute MATH 253 - Applied Mulitivariate Stats, for PSYC 201. Students who plan to follow this path should consult with a member of the psychology department as soon as possible to ensure adequate preparation for PSYC 202 - Research in Psychology II.
• Three other courses at the intermediate level, at least one of which must be from Group A and at least one of which must be from Group B.
  • Group A
    PSYC 240 - Principles of Learning and Behavior
    PSYC 242 - Cognitive Psychology
    PSYC 244 - Cognitive Neuroscience (Same as NEUR 244)
    PSYC 246 - Exploring Sensation/Perception  (Same as NEUR 246)
    PSYC 248 - Behavioral Neuroscience (Same as NEUR 248)
  • Group B
    PSYC 250 - Developmental Psychology
    PSYC 252 - Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorder: Perspectives on the DSM
    PSYC 254 - Social Psychology
    PSYC 256 - Personality Psychology
  • Other Intermediate Courses
    PSYC 180 - Brain, Mind, and BehaviorPSYC 180 - Brain, Mind, and Behavior (Same as NEUR 180
    PSYC 182 - Drugs and Society
    PSYC 220 - Educational Psychology
    PSYC 262 - Asian American Psychology
    PSYC 264 - The Psychology of Gender
    PSYC 266 - History of Psychology
    PSYC 268 - The Psychology of Multiculturalism: Identity in Diverse Societies 

• PSYC 300 - Directed Research in Psych
• Three upper level courses (courses numbered 301 or above). At least one of these courses must have a ubstantial student-led component. A list of such courses will be available on the department website each semester. A 4-credit independent study, internship, or preceptorship may also fulfill one of the upper level course requirements with prior departmental permission.
• Underrepresented Populations, Paradigms, and Perspectives (UP³⁾ requirement. UP³ courses have at their central theme one or more of the following: a focus on historically underrepresented perspectives, paradigms, or populations in psychology; a critical lens on issues of power and privilege in the field; an analysis of the implications of exclusion or marginalization in the field of psychology or on psychological experience.
  • UP³ Courses:
    PSYC 194 - Immigration and Acculturation
    PSYC 262 - Asian American Psychology
    PSYC 264 - The Psychology of Gender
    PSYC 266 - History of Psychology
    PSYC 268 - The Psychology of Multiculturalism: Identity in Diverse Societies
    PSYC 370 - Understanding and Confronting Racism
    PSYC 379 - Cultural Psychology
    PSYC 380 - Community Psychology and Public Health
    PSYC 488—African American Psychology
    PSYC 488—Lives in Context
    PSYC 488—Development in Context

This requirement may be met at any level of the curriculum, and courses that fulfill this requirement may also satisfy other requirements for the major (e.g., Cultural Psychology fulfills both the Culture and Context requirement as well as the upper level course requirement).

• One other psychology course.

No more than one independent project, internship or preceptorship can count towards the major. The capstone requirement in psychology may be satisfied by  PSYC 300 - Directed Research in Psych.

Psychology Minor

Minor Requirements

Students who wish to complete a minor in psychology must complete the introductory course PSYC 100, a statistics or research methods course (MATH 153, MATH 155, or PSYC 201), and four additional courses beyond the introductory level, selected in consultation with a member of the department. At least one of these courses must be an upper level course (numbered 301 or above). Independent projects, internships and preceptorships may be included in the minor only with departmental permission.