Psychology Major

A. Methods Sequence (formerly “Psychology Core”) Courses (4)

Courses to be taken in order:

• PSY 101 – General Psychology
• PSY 121 – Methods and Tools of Psychology
• PSY 203 – Design and Statistical Analysis
• PSY 299 – Research Seminar
  

B. Foundation Courses (3)

Students will choose 3 of the following.

• PSY 212 – Biopsychology
• PSY 213 – Learning and Memory
• PSY 214 – Cognitive Psychology
• PSY 215 – Social Psychology
• PSY 217 – Psychological Disorders (formerly “Abnormal Psychology”)
• PSY 219 – Clinical Psychology
• PSY 220 – Development across the Lifespan*
• PSY 267 – Organizational Psychology

*Psychology majors who are also majoring in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or Nursing should NOT take PSY 220. Those students will take the equivalent Education or Nursing course instead (i.e., ELE/ECE/SPE 201/NUR 110) and it will count toward the Psychology major as the PSY 220 Foundation course.

(PSY 216 – Personality Theory and Research is no longer an active course. Students who took PSY 216 as a foundation course prior to Spring 2023 will still have the course count toward their major and toward the Counseling & Clinical Specialization, if applicable.)

C. Specialized Courses (3)

Students will choose three 300-level courses. Note: Some specializations require specific Specialized courses. Some Specialized courses count toward more than one specialization.

D. Senior Experience (1)

Students will select at least one 400-level course and will choose among options including integrative seminars, internships, and research projects. Regardless of format, the senior experience will be primarily student-led, with the faculty member serving as a facilitator. Read more about options for the Senior Experience.

E. Psychology Elective Requirement (formerly “Psychology Option”) (1)

Students may take any course at the 200-level or above. Students with certain second majors may be able to count an approved course from another program for the Elective Requirement; see this page for details of approved agreements.

F. Social Context Requirement

The department requires that students take at least one of the courses listed below among their chosen Foundation or Specialized courses:

• 215 Social Psychology
• 219 Clinical Psychology
• 220 Developmental Psychology (Please note that ECE/ELE 201 and SPE 203 do NOT count as fulfilling this requirement)
• 267 Organizational Psychology
• 324/AAS 324 Racial and Ethnic Identity Development
• 336 Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health
• 337 Poverty, Mental Health, and Well-Being
• 340 Health Psychology
• 341 Personality & Culture
• 350 Psychology of Women
• 355 Psychology of Power, Oppression, and Privilege

G. Mandatory Advising Sequence

Students are required to complete a 4-course, non-credit advising sequence as follows:

• PSY 96
• PSY 97
• PSY 98
• PSY 99