Jun 24, 2025  
2025-2026 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 
    
2025-2026 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

Psychology - (B.A.)


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Objectives for the BA in Psychology follow the recommended guidelines of the American Psychology Association for undergraduate psychology programs, as outlined below.

OBJECTIVE 1. Students will develop content knowledge and applications from the field of psychology.

1.1 Describe key concepts, principles, and theories in psychological science 

1.2 Develop a working knowledge of psychology’s major subfields 

1.3 Portray significant aspects of the history of psychological science 

1.4 Apply psychological content to solve practical problems 

1.5 Provide examples of psychology’s integrative themes 

OBJECTIVE 2. Students will develop scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills.

2.1 Exercise scientific reasoning to investigate psychological phenomena 

2.2 Interpret, design, and evaluate psychological research 

2.3 Incorporate sociocultural factors in scientific research practices 

2.4 Use statistics to evaluate quantitative research findings 

OBJECTIVE 3. Students will develop the values of psychological science.

3.1 Employ ethical standards in research with human and non-human participants, practice, and academic contexts.

3.2 Develop and practice interpersonal and intercultural responsiveness 

3.3 Apply psychological principles to strengthen community and improve quality of life 

OBJECTIVE 4. Students will develop communication skills, psychological literacy, and technology skills.

4.1 Interact effectively with others 

4.2 Write and present effectively for different purposes 

4.3 Provide evidence of psychological literacy 

4.4 Exhibit appropriate technological skills to improve communication 

OBJECTIVE 5. Students will experience personal and professional development.

5.1 Exhibit effective self-regulation 

5.2 Refine project management skills 

5.3 Display effective judgment in professional interactions 

5.4 Cultivate workforce collaboration skills 

5.5 Demonstrate appropriate workforce technological skills 

5.6 Develop direction for life after graduation 

University General Education Program (41 hours)


See Graduation from the University  for the University General Education Program requirements.

College and Degree (B.A.) Requirements (6-12 hours)


The College and Bachelor of Arts requirements  are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements and are listed above.

The Major (39 hours in Psychology)


Psychology Core


Complete the Following Four Courses:

Content Areas


Choose One Course from Each of the Three Content Areas Below:

Social, Cultural, and Developmental Psychology: (choose one)


Psychology Electives


  • 18 hours of Psychology Electives (15 must be upper division, ranging from 3000 and 4000 level)

Optional Concentrations (24 hours):


The department also offers two concentrations: (a) Behavioral Neuroscience  (b) Cognitive Science . Each concentration offers both a thesis and non-thesis option. 

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120


Honors Program


The Psychology Honors Program provides an opportunity for selected Psychology majors to enrich their learning experience through honors courses, independent study, a thesis, and extracurricular learning experiences. The program requires a minimum of 15 credit hours of honors work in psychology. Students who earn at least a 3.25 cumulative grade point average in the major will earn degrees that included the distinction “With Honors in Psychology.” Please contact the department honors coordinator for more detailed information about the Psychology Honors Program and assistance in applying. Psychology majors may also be eligible to participate in the University Honors Program described elsewhere in this bulletin. Some psychology honors courses may be counted toward the requirement of the University Honors Program.

Psychology Honors Classes. The honors courses described below are open only to students in good standing in the Psychology Honors Program or the University Honors Program. Honors courses in Psychology include: (1) PSYC 1030  (General Psychology - Honors). Students who wish to enroll in this course during their first year may do so either by meeting the requirements for the University Honors Program or by instructor permission; (2) periodically offered honors sections of other courses in the psychology curriculum; (3) specialized honors courses; (4) Honors Special Topics; (5) Directed Research and Thesis.

Psychology Honors Contracts. Students may ask the instructor of any psychology course to negotiate an honors contract, in which the instructor and student agree on additional honors-level requirements for the course.

Psychology Honors Thesis. Students ask a psychology faculty member to serve as adviser for PSYC 4996 Honors Thesis , typically completed during the student’s last semester. Before enrolling in PSYC 4996  , the student should complete at least one semester of PSYC 4504 Directed Research  under the same faculty adviser who will oversee work in the honors thesis. Students specializing in Behavioral Neuroscience may choose to enroll in PSYC 4506 Direct Rsch Behav Neuro  (Directed Research in Behavioral Neuroscience) and PSYC 4997  (Thesis in Behavioral Neuroscience). The completed thesis is presented in writing and defended orally before a faculty committee.

Typical 4-Year Psychology Sequence


Freshman Year


Semester Totals 31-32 hrs


Sophomore Year


Semester Totals 29 hrs


Junior Year


FALL SEMESTER

  • Natural Science (4) *
  • PSYC Content Area 1 (3)
  • PSYC UD Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

 

SPRING SEMESTER

  • Natural Science* (4)
  • PSYC Content Area 2 (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • PSYC UD Elective (3)
  • History* (3)

Semester Totals 32 hrs


Senior Year


FALL SEMESTER

  • PSYC Content Area 3 (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • PSYC UD Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • UD Elective (3)

Semester Totals 27-28 hrs


Typical 2-Year Psychology Sequence (transfer students with A.A. Degree)


TRANSFER EQUIVALENT CREDITS ASSUMED:

Transfer Totals: 60 hrs.

Junior Year

FALL SEMESTER

  • Foreign Language 2010 (3)
  • PSYC 1300   (1)
  • PSYC 3010   (4)
  • PSYC Content Area 1 (3)
  • Elective (3)

SPRING SEMESTER

  • Foreign Language 2020 (3)
  • PSYC 3020  (4)
  • PSYC Content Area 2 (3)
  • PSYC Content Area 3 (3)
  • Elective (3)

Semester Totals: 30 hrs

Senior Year

FALL SEMESTER

  • PSYC UD Elective (3)
  • PSYC UD Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • UD Elective (3)
  • UD Elective (3)


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