Psychology, B.A.

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Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts

The psychology major is designed to increase personal understanding of animal and human behavior and mental processes and to provide basic preparation for entrance into graduate school or pursuit of a professional career in the field of psychology. Students should realize careers in the field of psychology typically require further training; many of our students pursue graduate studies in this field. It is strongly recommended that all psychology majors participate in an internship (PS 250/350). Internships introduce students to a variety of careers that require this training and provide valuable hands-on experience. Psychology students have worked with the Juvenile Court, shelters, psychiatric clinics and rehabilitation agencies. All eligible psychology majors are encouraged to participate in Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology and in the Psychology Club.

Requirements for the Major:

43 semester credits including:

PS 101 - General Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 200 - APA Writing Style Semester Hour(s): 1
PS 204 - Statistics Semester Hour(s): 4
PS 222 - Psychology of Personality Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 324 - Physiological Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 325 - Research Methods Semester Hour(s): 4
PS 329 - Abnormal Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 335 - Introduction to Clinical Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 400 - Psychology Research Seminar Semester Hour(s): 4

Psychology Group 1

15 semester credits from the following:

PS 220 - Child Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 232 - Social Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 237 - Human Sexuality Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 304 - Introduction to Social Welfare and Policy Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 305 - Psychology of Learning Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 322 - Adulthood and Aging Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 330 - Juvenile Delinquency Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 336 - Cognitive Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 345 - Psychology and Law Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 170 - Special Topics in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 - PS 179 - Special Topics in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 OR
PS 270 - Special Topics in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 - PS 279 - Special Topics in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 OR
PS 370 - Special Topics in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 - PS 379 - Special Topics in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 OR
PS 250 - Internship in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 1-5 OR
PS 350 - Internship in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 1-5
PS 160 - Individual Investigation in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 OR
PS 260 - Individual Investigation in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4 OR
PS 360 - Individual Investigation in Psychology Semester Hour(s): 2-4

Additional Information

Substitutions for these requirements may be made only with the approval of a psychology faculty member. Requests must be accompanied by a written statement explaining the reason(s) for the substitution.

Optional Concentrations

Forensic Psychology Concentration

Forensic psychology is the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system.

Students will have to meet the same requirements as the Psychology major plus the following additional coursework.

Requirements for the Concentration:

12 semester credits including:

CJ 220 - Criminal Law and Procedure Semester Hour(s): 3
CJ 311 - Landmark Cases in Mental Health and the Law Semester Hour(s): 3
CJ 324 - Constitutional Law Semester Hour(s): 3
PS 345 - Psychology and Law Semester Hour(s): 3

Psychobiology Concentration

Students are introduced to the biological and physiological processes of living organisms from a biological perspective as a supplement to understanding behavior and mental processes from a psychological perspective.

Students will have to meet the same requirements as the Psychology major plus the following additional coursework.

Requirements for the Concentration:

15 semester credits including:

BI 101 - Introductory Biology I Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 101L - Introductory Biology I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
BI 102 - Introductory Biology II Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 102L - Introductory Biology II Lab Semester Hour(s): 1
BI 238 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 238L - Human Anatomy & Physiology I Lab Semester Hour(s): 1

Psychobiology Concentration Group 1

One course from the following:

BI 330 - Evolutionary Biology Semester Hour(s): 3
BI 333 - Animal Behavior Semester Hour(s): 3

Sport Psychology Concentration

Requirements for the Concentration:

15 semester credits including:

SA 111 - History of Sport in America Semester Hour(s): 3
SA 220 - Sport Sociology Semester Hour(s): 3
SA 221 - Sport Psychology Semester Hour(s): 3
SA 301 - Gender, Sport, and Culture Semester Hour(s): 3
SA 321 - Sports in Education Semester Hour(s): 3