Requirements for a Major or Minor in Psychology


Programs offered
• Major in Psychology (32 credits)
• Minor in Psychology (20 credits)
• Minor in Neuroscience (see neuroscience) (22 credits)
• Major in Social Studies Education (see social studies and education) (52 credits plus 32 credits in education)
• Add-on endorsement preparation in Social Studies for Elementary Education majors (see education) (30 credits)

Faculty
Susan J. Cordes-Green, chair
Susan J. Larson
Albert E. Bartz, psychologist-in-residence
Michael C. Mangini
Mark K. Covey
Mikel L. Olson
Elizabeth Ewing Lee
Darcie Sell
Mona M. Ibrahim
Lisa M. Sethre-Hofstad
Mark J. Krejci

The psychology department prepares majors for graduate study in psychology, applications in human service settings, or utilization of the concepts and methods from psychology in a variety of other careers. The curriculum is organized to ground students in the science of psychology while offering the flexibility to pursue individual interests. Beyond traditional course offerings, the department offers an animal laboratory experience, international study/travel experiences, Cooperative Education experiences and a variety of opportunities for collaborative research with faculty.

The psychology department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:
• knowledge of the scientific methodology employed in the field of psychology
• knowledge of the major theoretical approaches to psychology, the development of theory and research efforts to answer theory-driven questions
• knowledge of major advances in both experimental and applied aspects of psychology
• the ethics and inclusiveness associated with psychology
• the ability to communicate in the discipline
Students who are eligible can apply for membership in Psi Chi, the international honor society for undergraduate psychology majors. The psychology department also sponsors an honors program for exceptional students. For details, see the department chair.

Major in Psychology
The requirements for a major in psychology are 32 credits:
• PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology, 4 credits OR
PSYC 212 – Educational Psychology (for Education students), 4 credits OR
equivalent (4 credits)
(Note: AP scores of 3 = elective credit and students still need to take PSYC 111; scores of 4 or 5 = PSYC 111 credit.)
• Methods Core (10 credits)
– PSYC 230 – Statistics and Psychological Measurement, 4 credits
– PSYC 301 – Research Methods in Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 477 – Senior Seminar in Psychology, 2 credits
(Note: These courses must be taken in order – PSYC 230 is a prerequisite for PSYC 301, and PSYC 301 is a prerequisite for PSYC 477.)
• Behavior and Cognition (4 credits minimum, chosen from the following list of courses):
– PSYC 318 – Learning and Behavior, 4 credits
– PSYC 361 – Cognitive Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 399 – Motivation and Emotion, 2 credits
– PSYC 440 – Behavior Analysis and Modification, 2 credits
(Note: PSYC 318 and/or PSYC 361 are offered each year; PSYC 399 and PSYC 440 are only offered occasionally.)
• Physiological Psychology (4 credits minimum, chosen from the following list of courses):
– PSYC 319 – Behavioral Neuroscience, 4 credits
– PSYC 323 – Perception, 2 credits
– PSYC 324 – Drugs and Behavior, 4 credits
– PSYC 328 – Human Neuropsychology, 4 credits
• Development and Social Psychology (4 credits minimum, chosen from the following list of courses):
– PSYC 206 – Developmental Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 326 – Advanced Developmental Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 333 – Psychology of Arab and Muslim Societies, 2 credits
– PSYC 351 – Social Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 383 – Psychology of Gender, 4 credits
– PSYC 384 – The Life of a Psychologist, 2 credits
– PSYC 395 – Aggression, Violence and Victimization, 2 credits
– PSYC 420 – Cross-Cultural Psychology, 4 credits
• Individual Differences and Applied Psychology (4 credits minimum, chosen from the following list of courses):
– PSYC 227 – Personality Dynamics, 4 credits
– PSYC 325 – Health Psychology, 2 credits
– PSYC 327 – Personality Theory and Psychotherapy, 4 credits
– PSYC 345 – Psychology of Sport, 4 credits
– PSYC 347 – Psychology and Religion, 4 credits
– PSYC 357 – Abnormal Psychology, 4 credits
– PSYC 407 – Psychological Assessment, 2 credits
• Electives: Students will choose additional electives from the areas above or other psychology offerings, such as PSYC 380 – Special Topics, PSYC 480 – Independent Study, and/or they may add PSYC 390 – Cooperative Education or PSYC 300– May Seminar credits to complete at least 32 credits in psychology.

Minor in Psychology
The requirements for a minor in psychology are 20 credits:
• PSYC 111 – Introductory Psychology, 4 credits OR
PSYC 212 – Educational Psychology (for Education students), 4 credits
• 16 additional credits in psychology