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Dec 03, 2024
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2024-2025 University Catalog
Psychology Major, BA (45 credits)
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The 45-credit major is intended for students who are interested in careers that would combine a background in psychology with work in fields such as social work, family studies, business, forensics, primate behavior, and other fields for which training in behavioral science would be useful. Students in the 45-credit major are required to complete either a minor or a double major. This major would also be useful for students who intend to go directly into the work force following graduation. If a student decided later to pursue graduate school, the core courses in the 45-credit major may transfer into the 60-credit major.
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Psychology Department Information and Requirements
Department Information
The psychology department offers an important behavioral science component of the university’s liberal arts curriculum. As part of the General Education program, courses in psychology broaden the student’s knowledge about behavior, cognition, and emotion. Through our major and minor programs, students can develop an understanding of the perspectives, content, and methods of the science and practice of psychology and prepare for graduate study.
Admission Requirements
Prior to admission to the psychology major, students must meet the following requirements:
Completion of PSY 101 with a grade of C or higher
GPA of 2.25 or higher in college coursework
Students wishing to apply for admission to the psychology major or minor are required to register with the department and be advised by a member of the department faculty. Students may register as pre-majors in psychology if they wish to join the major but have not yet met the admission requirements. The department reserves the right to change requirements as circumstances warrant. Application forms may be obtained from the department office or on the department website.
Exit Requirements
Students are required to have a 2.5 GPA within the major area to receive the degree.
Senior psychology majors are required to complete the department’s end-of-major examination in the quarter before graduating. Students should register for the examination in the department office. The purpose of this requirement is to enable us to assess whether the department has fulfilled its instructional objectives and to provide us with information that will enable us continuously to improve our programs and courses. In PSY 200 Introduction to the Major (taken after applying to the psychology major), students will learn about the portfolio requirements that will be due in PSY 489 Senior Assessment. One of the PSY 489 portfolio requirements is a minimum of ten hours of service learning and/or research assistant experience. This requirement can be met any time prior to the end of PSY 489.
Departmental Honors
The eligibility requirements for admission to the Department of Psychology honors program include the following:
- Admission to the program: The student must be a psychology major, at least a junior but not more than a first quarter senior and have completed core courses with a GPA of at least 3.25 in those courses and have an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0. The student must apply in writing to the department chair, with a supporting letter of recommendation from a member of the faculty who agrees to supervise the student’s work to completion.
- Requirements and Procedures: The student will register for 4-6 credits in PSY 497, Undergraduate Honors Thesis. In consultation with the supervising faculty member, the student chooses a three-person faculty committee. Plans for the honors project, generally an empirical research study, must be approved by the entire committee. The project will culminate in a written research report and a formal defense of the thesis.
Psychology Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- demonstrate familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, and ethical responsibilities that are foundational to the field of psychology;
- apply basic principles of research methods in psychology to develop ethical studies that reflect the accurate use of research design, data collection, and data analysis procedures, as well as to accurately interpret published empirical findings;
- communicate psychological concepts and applications effectively for a variety of purposes;
- connect psychological content and skills to potential professional and career goals; and
- identify ways in which psychological science and practice may be used to enhance interpersonal relationships and systems that contribute to an inclusive and diverse society.
Required Courses for the 45-credit major
Select at least one course from each of the following groups:
Department-Approved Electives Credits: 4-7
May include a maximum of five lower division credits.
In addition to the classes listed above, other 300 and 400-level psychology classes may also qualify for elective credits.
Small Plan Major (fewer than 60 credits)
This major requires the completion of a minor or second major. Please consult with the departments about any specific restrictions regarding overlap between plans.
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